Hey guys,

So tonight out of the blue my mother decided to help me get to Supanova this year (which I'd been mentioning wistfully for months) and went ahead and booked me some flights! The problem is, it's only a week away and I have no idea what I'm going as! It's a large convention held here in Australia, and most people go in cosplay. Naturally, I would be male, but the sudden thought occured to me about packing. I have a packer, but I've never had the guts to wear it out of the house, or even in the house when others are home.

However, dressing up in male cosplay would be the perfect excuse to wear it out and about, because if anyone were to notice it, I could explain it away on being true to the costume. I'm going with a couple of friends that I'll be meeting when I get off the plane, but only one of them has met me in real life. She's my best bud, and has has called me Max since before I even got my name changed. She's so amazing, and took it all on herself without me prompting anything, little things like calling me my dog's 'father' instead of 'mother' like everyone else does, and saying something makes me look handsome instead of pretty, she's even started using male pronouns.

These other people I'll be going to Supanova with are her uni friends, and she's told me she always refers to me as he, and Max etc, so they have no idea I'm biologically female, which is a little worrying. When I expressed my concern (it would be great, except I DON'T pass) she went ahead and told one of them, who thought it was very cool, and informed me that the other guy who was going with us was a cross-dresser, so she really didn't think he'd have a problem with it.

So what I'm getting at is, I'm going away from everyone I know for a few days of crazy excitement, and I'll be spending the time with supportive people who get me, and dressing as a guy. Do you think I can get away with packing for the three days that the convention is on, or would it still be too much of a risk? If I were to pack, I'd have to take my packer with me on the plane, either wearing it, or in my carry-on. Both of which situations scare the crap out of me, even though our security checks are nowhere near as strict (read: horrifying) as in America.

Sorry for the uber long post, just wondering what I should do???

Yes. Do it.

(I'd suggest throwing your packer in your carry-on, though. You can't know beforehand whether the airport you're going to is using those new body scanner things, and if they are, you do not want to have to explain your packer to the person patting you down. Especially if you don't pass. In your carryon, it just looks like a sex toy at worst...mash it in with your clothes and stuff and they might not even see the outline clearly.)

I agree with Kyril, have a great time at Supanova.

They have a huge convention like that in SF every year, I'm sure you can wear anything.

Sure, do it.  It's under your clothes, anyway; if you position it correctly, it's not like anyone should even notice.

I'd go for it. Conventions I've been to have had some pretty wild costumes so I'm pretty sure no one would even notice.

I have put strap ons in my carry on bags and never got even a second glance so I assume with packers its the same. I am sure security people have seen those before.

Thanks guys, I think I will take it, even though I'll probably freak out and not wear it. I know it's all in my head, but that doesn't make it any easier

Another thing I was thinking about was the costume I'll be wearing, it consists of a shirt with no sleeves, but the problem with that is I don't shave my underarms, so they're really hairy. Normally that's not a problem, because I wear shirts with sleeves and it's not visible, but the long hair would be very clearly visible in a sleevless shirt. Do you think I can get away with that, or no? If anyone sees my underarms they always say it's really gross, so I don't want that reaction at Supanova. But at the same time, I love that hair, it's just one other, admittedly small thing about me that is masculine. I really don't want to shave it all off

I'm afraid to pack because I'm worried someone will notice, and then make a lot of trouble for me. I absolutely do not pass.  And even though I know that's unlikely, that doesn't stop me from worrying about it. 

If you don't pass and you're concerned about your underarms drawing unwanted attention, just shave. It's only hair. It grows back. There's nothing inherently masculine or feminine about it, both sexes have it, both shave at various times for various reasons. Swimmers and wrestlers shave their whole bodies, and I dare anyone to call a wrestler effeminate.

(Alternatively, you can trim it with clippers to about 1" or so, so it looks neat and only shows when you lift your arms.)

I don't think you'd run into any issues.

Only thing is if you don't pack often you may find yourself a few hours into the day really wishing you hadn't.
I've found its something that takes a bit of getting used to.

Thanks for the replies everyone! And yeah, I plan to wear the packer for a few days before I go, to see if I can wear it for a full day etc. As for my underarms, I suppose you're right Kyril, it will grow back.

Seeing as you will be in costume, and "bloke mode" I can't see any problem with packing, or underarm hair.  I'd say the more obvious the costume, the more people will accept it as such.  And you get to be as much of a bloke as you want.

Have fun, Karen.

Thanks Karen, you may be right!

I would go against the underarm hair personally...I have been going to conventions forever, and people tend to be critical of costumes. If you don't pass, people will be more grossed out than anything. I've seen people icked out my leg hair even on "girls" wearing guy's costumed.
But if you don't care, and are more comfortable having it, more power to ya.

Just look at them blankly and ask, why are you looking at my crotch? That usually shuts em up.

Same goes for the underarm hair, If if is so gross why did you look?

You may want to pack around your house a few times before in public. Its best to know how your little guy shifts so you won't have a runaway dick.

Quote from: tekla on March 25, 2011, 11:23:43 AM
They have a huge convention like that in SF every year, I'm sure you can wear anything.

Yaoi-con you're talking about?

There's also Fanime, Cherry Blossom Festival, Wondercon, etcetc