-
07Mar2013
- posted by:
- comments:
- 7
- share:
What not to say to a transwoman on the first date (or ever)
Today I thought I would share with you this:
(I will add for all the people screaming “This article is transphobic!” the article was written by a transperson using data collected from other transpeople)
Things Not To Say (Or Do) To A Transwoman On A Date
1. “I want to treat you like a lady,” especially “the lady you really are/dress like/want to be,” with the expectation that this is enough to get a transwoman to melt into a pool of liquid sex. If you have no idea how to treat someone like a lady, then don’t even say it. You will be called on it, sooner or later. If you do know how to treat her like a lady, then shut up and do it.
2. “But that’s so unfeminine!” Or, “I’m getting male energy from you.” First of all, women in general are penalized and called masculine in this culture for being assertive and even tough. Not only may your transwoman not necessarily want to give up the useful lessons she learned from living as a man, she is also at risk of an appallingly high level of murder and rape, and assertiveness may well keep her alive. Second, if she’s trying her best to be culturally feminine, and she just slipped for a minute, it will only embarrass her and raise the tension level.
3. “You know, you’d pass better if you…” This generally comes out of people who think that they are trying to be helpful. Somehow, transwomen often attract total strangers who think that they have the right to turn into a Wardrobe Counselor or Acting Coach, coming up out of nowhere and telling her how she should be walking, talking, or wearing her hair. Such criticism is not helpful when it is unsolicited and comes from someone who is not a close personal friend. If it’s really so important to tell her this, wait until you get to know her a lot better. Even then, she may not want to hear it, and you’ll just have to deal. Again, if you wouldn’t do it to a biofemale, restrain yourself
4. “What was your real name?” It’ll serve you right if she tells you it was Tiffany. Don’t follow this up with a list of transpeople that you know and all their former names, either. She will not be interested.
5. “So do you have a dick, or what?” I don’t care if Hothead Paisan got away with saying this. There’s this assumption that the crotches of all transpeople are a public spectacle, and that everyone has the right to ask what we’ve got down there. You don’t get to ask that question until she has made it abundantly clear that she wants to do the mattress dance with you. Actually, you don’t get to ask that question ever. A better way to ask what equipment you’re going to be dealing with might be: “I know that some transwomen only like to be touched in certain ways. Could you please tell me how you like to do it before we start, so that I won’t make too many mistakes?” This will let her know that you genuinely care about her body issues, and give her the freedom to talk about her anatomy with less discomfort. If you’re trying to find out about her anatomy so that you can decide whether or not you want to do it with her – i.e. if you only want her if she has a cock, or if she doesn’t have a cock – then maybe you shouldn’t be hitting on her at all. She is much more than her genitals, and no one wants to be rejected for what they have or haven’t been able to afford to do with their bodies
6. “Did they cut off your dick?” OK, this is another too-personal and inappropriate question. And for the record, a vaginoplasty does not involve cutting off a penis. It’s more like gutting it and turning it inside-out like a sock, and putting it up inside her. Some transwomen cannot achieve orgasm with their vaginas, as surgery isn’t perfect, and they may feel some shame around this. Don’t give her trouble about it; don’t quiz her as to whether she came. Ask instead, “Does this feel good?”
7. “Why won’t you fuck me with your dick? That’s what it’s for, right?” This is the sort of thing heard all too often from porn-fed losers who are still fantasizing about a luscious she-male with tits like a woman who will bang them like a man. It’s not that this sort of transwoman doesn’t exist – they do, and should be treated like the goddesses that they are – but not all, or even most transwomen are comfortable with using their big clits like a man uses his penis. Some can’t even get erections any more after years of estrogen, and prefer less direct and more sensuous forms of stimulation. No matter what her preference, it should be respected and appreciated. She does not exist to fulfill your fantasies, and she has the right to mentally reframe her body any way she wants. If you only want a transwoman for fantasy purposes, then you might think about putting out a personal sex ad…and being prepared to shell out for the privilege. Oh, and while you’re at it….leave that term, “she-male”, at the door. Don’t even let it pass your lips unless she uses it first.
8. “My god, you look like a real woman!” Since she may well think of herself as a real woman, this is not a compliment. “You look beautiful” is safer.
9. “How can you say anything about feminism? You grew up a man, with privilege.” Yes, but she lost it really fast, as soon as she transitioned. In fact, if she doesn’t pass perfectly, she is at more risk than even a biowoman for discrimination and violence. Many formerly-privileged transwomen discover feminism awfully quickly, after they get a good taste of sexism from the other side. They’ll have to deal with it for the rest of their lives, and it’s today and tomorrow that count, not yesterday.
10. “You’re the best of both worlds.” Be careful with this one. Some transwomen do consider themselves something in between male and female, a divine androgyne, a sacred two-spirit, and would be complimented by that. Others consider themselves women, work very hard to be accepted as women, and would take great offense. Best not to say it until you’re certain which variety you’ve got.
11. “I know this sex change must have been hard for you.” Really? How do you know that? For some people, transition is the best thing that ever happened to them. If your transwoman wants to bring up her emotions about her TG-ness, she will do so when she feels safe enough. Don’t assume you know how any of it feels. Often, when people say this, one senses that it is they who are having a hard time with our sex changes.
12. Don’t write letters or emails that say things like “I’d like to cum see you,” or anything else that reveals you gained your literacy from Penthouse Forum at best.
13. Don’t pull out a porno mag or Fredericks’ of Hollywood catalog and make suggestions about what kind of underwear she should get or that you’d want to buy her. Transwomen are not Barbie dolls, spending their lives dressing up in stuff to please porno mag subscribers. If one wants to give gifts of that nature, try to find out what she actually wears or prefers. Remember, think of her as a person first. (Corollary: Don’t ask about what kind of underwear she actually has on, either.)
14. Consider that the more transwomen dress according to other people’s kinky desires, the more real risk they place themselves in. Your kink; her dignity and very life. You do the math before you open your mouth. And if your date for whatever reason risks being flamboyant, tell her how brave she is, and be prepared to leave immediately if she says, “Umm, I think it’s time we got out of here, right now.”
15. Don’t act as if you are ashamed of being seen with her. This includes sneaking her to some out-of-the-way place and then ducking into the rest room when someone you know walks in, or otherwise refusing to be seen with her in any public place. If you can’t be proud of being with her, don’t do it.
16. Don’t assume that transwomen all want to be 1950′s-type women, be it pinup bimbos or Donna Reeds. There are some, usually older or raised in places that might as well be the 1950′s, who may experiment with old-fashioned ideas of womanhood, but it’s just as likely that she’s young, politically aware, and savvy about a woman’s place in the world. She is usually caught in a double bind….if she dresses as unisex as most women can acceptably get away with, she may be read as male. If she dresses culturally feminine enough to pass as female, she’s accused of being stereotypical. Be cognizant of this dilemma, and her individual response to it. If you’re attracted to the idea of dating a transwoman because you’re dreaming of an old-fashioned 1950′s girl, or you’re turned off to dating one because you’re assuming that they all have outdated ideas about womanhood, you may be in for a surprise.
The greatest gift that you can give a transwoman on a first date is to find subtle ways to sincerely express that you do, indeed, see her as feminine. First and foremost, get her name and pronouns right, every time. Don’t slip. If you do slip, don’t make a big profuse deal of it; just say something like, “Damn, I screwed up. It won’t happen again,” and change the subject. Refer to her as “my girlfriend”, “my lady”, and so on, as soon as it’s appropriate to do so, especially when introducing her to people who don’t know her. If they make a pronoun mistake, you correct them. It’ll show that it’s important to you.
—
Don’t forget to subscribe to my RSS feed on the left hand side of the page.
For a great alternative clothing store that openly caters to all sexualities, gender identities (including transgender and gender queers) and crossgenders. www.facebook.com/innersubversion
I appreciate this article. However, there are a couple of problematic terms that the author, Rayne uses repeatedly.
First, “transwoman” – you wouldn’t call a black woman a “blackwoman” right? Trans is an adjective. We are women, not something a new word must be invented for.
Also, “biowoman” – bio is not the opposite of trans, and serves to perpetuate the fallacious concept of biological determinism. Trans women were born trans, so they are every bit as “biological”. “Cis” is a more appropriate and more accurate term – as in “cis woman” (not “ciswoman” for a similar reason as I mentioned above)
Thank you for this piece, which overall I think is sensitive and helpful.
This article is not my own, it is a repost from Raven Kaldera. The complete and original article can be found of his website here (Which was also linked on my the post). Thanks for your comments!
Ooops! I initially missed the part about this being a reblog and not original content from Rayne. I apologize for overlooking that when I made my previous comment.
No worries! Your input will certainly assist future readers of the article. Thankyou again!
I’d like to add another message that you should not send when an online friend who is a transwoman tells you they have feelings for you. I once took an interest in an online friend and he replied with this message:
Since you have been honest with me about your feelings, I think it is only fair that I am honest with you. You have mentioned that there are obstacles between us. But the geographical distance is a small obstacle compared to the obstacle of who you are as a transsexual person. Maybe my warm, compassionate nature gave you the false impression that I approve of your transsexual lifestyle. Here is my honest view: I believe you should learn to appreciate the body you were given. I never told you this because I was afraid it would be perceived as judgmental. Many people would probably say our close friendship shouldn’t be possible given the fact that we hold opposite views on an issue that affects you so personally. And maybe those people are right. Maybe our friendship was only a figment supported out of my failure to speak the truth about my view on transsexual people. Maybe you will no longer desire to be my friend because you will feel offended by my view. If that is the case, I will understand. I feel like I unintentionally led you to the false hope that we could develop a different kind of relationship. For that, I apologize. Please understand that you are the first transsexual friend I ever met, and I didn’t really know how to tell you about my view about transsexual people. Like I’ve already said, I did not want to sound judgmental.
Um, “biowoman”? :\
This article is not my own, it is a repost from Raven Kaldera so any terminology that may offend you should be brought up with the original authour. Raven himself is transgender and I assume the terminology “biowoman” and “bioman” isn’t offensive to him or the trans community that in his local area. The complete and original article can be found of his website here (Which was also linked on my the post). Thanks for your comments!