Quote Originally Posted by AriannaRenee View Post
As I spend more time dressing, I question not only whether that's a reasonable goal, but what's the point in even bothering? Without the use of hormones and/or surgery, it's nearly impossible to be totally unreadable. There's bound to be some giveaway.
My SO also came to this conclusion, but not until she interacted on a regular basis with the people who work at the places she goes to, and they got to know her. Under these circumstances it's pretty hard to come off as a GG.

I'm just guessing here, but could it be there is such a strong desire to pass in the beginning, because a CDer feels that people will treat him (her) poorly or make fun of him if they realize he is a man in a dress? And that in time, as the CDer realizes that strangers either don't care or they keep their opinions to themselves, passing ceases to be important?

When my SO went from keeping to herself when she went out (rummaging quietly through racks of clothes, or just ordering a soda somewhere with a minimum of words), to actively getting to know others, knowing their names and engaging in general chit chat and light conversations, she did need to come to terms with being read and I think this was bittersweet for her. Maybe there was a bit of fantasy involved with being taken as a woman. I'll have to ask her. But, when she did come to terms with it, she realized that although people knew she wasn't a GG, they didn't treat her like a "man in a dress" either. They rather respected the fact that she is transgender.

We don't get into any education with the people we know about whether my SO is a crossdresser, transsexual, bigender, etc. Frankly, I don't think that people in the mainstream understand the differences between all the different layers of trans nor do I think they wonder whether my SO has had SRS or not. But they do see her as a person who is presenting as a woman and they treat her accordingly.