Passing

[carolinewalker_2000]

I guess if we are truely honest with ourselves, few of us could walk around in broad daylight and not be read. (For those of you who are lucky enough to be blessed with really feminine features and body; good for you!)

For me "passing" means being confident within myself that I look as feminine as it is possible for me to achieve. Having said that, as I am firmly closeted very few people have had the chance to critically tell me to what extent I have achieved that aspiration!

[Kimkandy]

What does passing mean to you?

Isn't that when the quarterback throws the ball downfield to the receiver...

Kim

[Karen Francis]

The number thrown out in another post is about right, 90% of us couldn't pass, but under what circumstances? There are some huge variables here. Where and when you are trying to pass, among other TG's or in the general public? Time of day, surroundings, all have their effects.
For me, it is important that I draw no attention to myself, just melt into the crowd. To acheive that end, I dress appropriately for my 53 years. Helps to go with a genetic female friend.
But if I could not be convincing, I would not go out in public and invite ridicule, either direct( snickering or double takes as you walk past) or indirect( I think that was a guy next to us at the McDonalds in the pink top and jeans.
So far so good, in the past 6 or 7 outings the only way I have been made is if I open up my mouth. Still working on that...

[Sierra Evon]

All that passing really means , well to me anyway , is just a state of mind ,
that how you feel in your femininity , on the inside , and projecting that same feeling on the outside.........

[Calliope]

Passing for me means wasting your life in a futile pusuit of mimicry in the hope that you will be taken for something you are not. I decided long, long, long ago that I wasn't embarrassed to be me, and as such I was quite happy to shock and awe in equal measure. Better to be admired for who you are than for who you are not.

Jeez, one upon a time I thought I was a writer but, dang, Lisa, you put Oscar Wilde outta business.

[Ranee Daze]

Passing is the goal, to complete the illusion, or to erase the maleness.
Whatever, face it, you will always get read to some degree. Even TS girls get read. My goal, since I dress to go out, is to be more convincing and to try something new each time. The important thing for me is not so much getting read as "a" man in a great aquamarine suit and silk blouse, but confounding people's ability to say exactly "which" man is in that suit and blouse. Then I'm happy.

[CarmenG]

Didn't Harrison Ford find it in his second Radier's movie.

I thought he lost it to Mother Earth....

[windycissy]

passing to me means being treated as woman by people that dont know me

That's about as good a definition as I've seen....I love the way my clothes feel and look on me, and I enjoy passing through the world as a woman - maybe that's why they call it passing?

[Country girl]

Ok, I admit, I've never had to worry about that, but there are a lot of GG's out there that aren't femine looking. Some by choice. There are also a lot more GG's these days that are tall and big boned. Not just your 6' models either. I used to be a manager for Lane Bryant and I've seen GG's of all shapes and sizes. The important thing is to look the best you can and hold your head up high, smile and look em right in the eye! In today's society most people aren't going to give you a second glance unless you are stunningly attractive or are dressed enfemme with a full beard and mustache. Confidence can go along way to convincing people you are something you aren't. So to all the gurls out there, heads high, smile and have fun!

[Jesse69]

Passing is very important to me because I go shopping in drag and don't want to be read. Mostly, I just have to work on my voice, as I look good enough visually.

[Deidra Cowen]

Passing means you go out in public and everyone thinks you are a female. That includes having the look, the mannerisms and da voice! I know tons of Tgirls out of all of them probably 3 are passable. They go to straight bars and even there people don't know they are Tgirls.

For the rest of us its just important to be happy and my deal is to just look as good as I can. I go tons of places as a Tgirl, can't fool everyone all the time mainly due to my voice. But I can be confident, happy, classy and hopefully attractive...and make a good impression on people.

But heck yeah I will not lie to ya...would love to PASS!!! But its not goint to happen so I just have fun.

[tall sam]

For those who do pass, those who think they pass and those who dont care, WELL done to you all. As for those like me - and there are many, who dont pass and dont have a hope in hell for various reasons (being 6'6'' is my little problem) its not easy. I have gone out once and think I looked very good - professional make up job, nice evening outfit etc, but still got the looks and chirps - I clearly did not pass. This was not easy, I felt femm, thought I looked fem, have worked hard on fem walk and moves, even voice toning, but when it came to the crunch, well, it was disappointing. It wont stop me crossdressing and probably going out again but a bit of the magic (or illusion) is gone!!

[Glenda58]

Passing Is not what I want I want to bend in. Act and look like a woman and lady should. Have been with TGs who just want to be themselves and don't care if they pass. Some want to stand out. This is a fantasy that I'm living and I know it. Some days I bend in some I don't. But I won't stop going out.

[ReginaK]

Passing means only your doctor knows who you really are.

[beckypink72]

I try to look as much fem as I can. So more so better as it can be a bit difficult in Scotland similar to KY or WV they just don't have guns here. Most important is I pass for myself, what is the most difficult I think as am my worst critic I would say

Becky

[Denise Anderson]

Passing....

*Smiles...*

You know you do... when you dont worry about it...

Denise
xxx

[GypsyKaren]

I find it kind of amusing that after so many spend a lifetime trying to fool everyone into thinking they're something they're not, a man, they now devote themselves trying to fool everyone into thinking they're something they're not, a genetic woman. The key to me is accepting myself for who I am, a person, and living my life as such. I live my life as Karen because that is who I am, and if people can't accept me as that, then that's their problem.

I don't care if I get read, in fact it happens all the time...so what? I am always treated as a human being because I act like one, that's all I want to achieve. I only go to straight bars, I do the grocery shopping when it's the most busy, I go to the mall on Friday nights when it's full of the dreaded teen-age girls, in other words I don't try to hide or sneak by...never any probs. So many of my friends worry so much about "passing" that they don't have a good time, to me that's such a waste. To me, passing is for handing over the mashed potatoes at the dinner table, not for people...works for me.

Karen

[ubokvt]

I find it kind of amusing that after so many spend a lifetime trying to fool everyone into thinking they're something they're not, a man, they now devote themselves trying to fool everyone into thinking they're something they're not, a genetic woman. The key to me is accepting myself for who I am, a person, and living my life as such. I live my life as Karen because that is who I am, and if people can't accept me as that, then that's their problem.

I don't care if I get read, in fact it happens all the time...so what? I am always treated as a human being because I act like one, that's all I want to achieve. I only go to straight bars, I do the grocery shopping when it's the most busy, I go to the mall on Friday nights when it's full of the dreaded teen-age girls, in other words I don't try to hide or sneak by...never any probs. So many of my friends worry so much about "passing" that they don't have a good time, to me that's such a waste. To me, passing is for handing over the mashed potatoes at the dinner table, not for people...works for me.

Karen
Thank you all I have so much to think about most of all what wonderful supportive people are here. Gypsy Karen,,, WOW really hit the heart thank you Sara

[Nikki T]

I would say that "passing to me, means, that you can fit into your surroundings, as a "lady", in as many ways that you can. And to be happy with how things, turned out, when you dressed. And even, if you got a few cute looks too.
That always helps someones confidence, that is trying to begin there transition, to as much of a women, as you wish.

Chrissy

Ya hit the nail on the head with that one girl, just being comfortable and hoping to not be glared at Like ( thats a guy in a dress dear )

[Joni Beauman]

I was thinking it was important to me to pass because of some major gender issues. Maybe the true motivation after all (for wanting to pass) is just to limit humiliation: "Hey, that's a man!" - I've had that a couple of times. Hmmm.
Joni

[tekla west]

If I would ever be dumb enough to sign up with a band doing a world tour - again, Lisa best look out when I get to London Town.

[Kelsy]

I'm supprised that no one called out this phrase: "escape public censure for your deviance."

I'm not even sure what was meant by this, but I'm sure it does not sound good.

Deviant - departure from the "norm" - Public censure- public displeasure and conseqences for not being "normal"???????

Jennifer

[tammysuetv]

I think for me blending is the best way to put it. I want to look normal when I am out and not stand out to people.

[Amy Hepker]

Well, Passing to me is looking like a Female and being able to be acceptable by Females as a Female. Not to look like a guy in a dress. To feel and look pretty. To be Accepted as the person I am on the inside. I am already accepted for who I am on the outside. I do love the feeling (of clothes) and smells (Perfume, Deoderant, Nail Polish, Make up, Lip Stick), that surround a Female. Oh those wonderful Feelings and Smells!

[Modesty Blaise]

I've not yet tried, I suppose I would want to because I would want to be as feminine as I feel I ought to be, And of course to avoid ridicule. I don't want to look like a circus performer (most of the time! ) I just want to be accepted, blend in.

Also Lisa, your life sounds fun, especially the inspiring awe and watching Monty Python parts! If your in London will you be visiting Spamalot!

Love
MB