Coming from an Asian perspective, honestly passing is extremely detrimental not about just purely wanting to be a woman. It's about survival. And in many way impact your life that can possibly drive you to being suicidal. In fact this is so important, that some psychiatrist back here deem it as part of assessment before granting the green light, well basically no need to come to that stage, RLT will be the hurdle that is required to be crossed. More than often many Asian GID first thoughts are 'Can I pass well?'
Why is it important?
Firstly, employment.
Asia being always perceived to be conservative and irregardless of policies put in place by corporate management, it is always present. You cant control the mindset of the employees that works below the TOP. You will see doors being shut upon declaring yourself as a transgender or good opportunities for career growth being halted. That is reality here. No matter how hard you try to overcome with your able capabilities, once you are discovered or identified; all the effort are deem useless. Without a job, meaning no income, where does that lead you to? Guess the answer is pretty obvious.
Second, mental pressure.
Can one take the mental stress of general public taking stares and viewing you like an animal, sure you can stare back, but how many can you stare. It's yourself against an army of homophobic. The stares, the gossip and physical expression of disgust will drop your confidence to negative not to even say zero. Passing often eliminates this but it also creates another form of mental stress which is uncertainty and suspicion of those around you. Constantly your mind will be clocking out everyone who puts a stare to you for more than 10sec. Your mind will be flooding with queries and fears of 'Can he/she spot me?' This creates the insecurity that can never be eliminated, no matter how well you or your close one/friends THINK you can pass. Both can drive you into extreme depression at many times.
Third, relationship.
Can assure you it is extremely hard to even find a partner in Asia if you deem to be unpassable especially if your sexual inclination is F looking for M or M looking for F. You probably have betterc chances looking for same gender partners or Gays or Les relationship. But then again for a transgender women looking for a gay man, probably that isn't his cup of tea as well. So you are stuck as more than often most Asian man criteria in selection is still primarily based on looks.
Of course they are other factors such as living Everyday life activities eg, using the toilet, crossing customs at airports and etc.
Passing is extremely a must in my opinion if you intend to live a much more peaceful life. Passing also means living in stealth whilst most may disagree with what I had mentioned.
