Go out en femme and hope for the best. That is my attitude. Pass or not, I just want to go out and be the best woman I can be. I cannot control how people will react, so forget about it and just enjoy and embrace being out and about en femme. And let the chips fall where they may.
But, sometimes people react in ways that affirm your womanhood and your “hope for the best” becomes reality.
One of those realities occurred over dinner when I attended Fantasia Fair. I was chatting with two new trans friends and we were discussing passing.
During our discussion, I mentioned how I always thought my voice gave me away. They retorted that my voice was perfect. And then they added that at the orientation brunch where they saw me for the first time, they thought I was the spouse of another attendee, that is, they thought I was a cisgender female!
Convincing another transwoman that you are cisgender female is remarkable, but convincing two transwomen simultaneously is even better!
Convincing a cisgender female is affirming, too.
Out shopping one day, I was wearing white shorts, a multi-colored top, pink scarf, black bag and white wedges (see photo). As I was looking through the racks at JCPenney, a middle-aged woman (probably younger than me) approached me and asked, “Can I ask you a question?”
I had no idea what she was going to ask (“What time is it?” “Where did you buy your shoes?” “Are you a man?”). I girded my loins, smiled and agreed to answer her question.
“You're dressed fashionably, so I'd like your opinion about a pair of slacks I was thinking about buying.”
Wow! I certainly did not see that coming!
We discussed the merits of the slacks. I did not like what she had picked out and suggested something with a bolder pattern. She admitted that she really did not like what she had picked out and liked my suggestion better.
I pointed out a skirt with a pattern similar to what I had in mind and her eyes lit up as she said, “I saw slacks with that pattern. Now I just have to find them again! Thank-you for your help.”
“Good luck,” I said.
Then I took a deep breath.
“Oh, my God!” I screamed to myself.
Wearing Cult Gaia |