-- Jamrat Mason
For trans women, I think it depends where you're coming from (obviously not from being identified as male, I don't mean that 😁). Yes, you are entering an enormous swamp of sexism, but how much of a surprise to you that is depends on how you thought about sexism before. What I mean by that is this; I’m a radical (OK, OK, maybe a bit cultural) feminist. I’ve never experienced sexism as a male feminist, other that the mild and obligatory kind from female feminists, but I do know about sexism – live many decades as a feminist and you have to, male or female. So even though one hasn’t experienced it, it’s not that much of a shock to do so, other perhaps than of degree. But if you lived a life of male privilege (even if, as it turns out, you didn’t deserve it 😉), it’s going to be one hell of a shock – even in situations where no one knows you’re a trans woman.
Where you are helps a great deal; I’m not even going to contemplate countries where there is no legal way to change gender, never mind societies where one risks death for doing so. I freely admit that just at the moment I don’t have the guts to do that. I’m going to think about places I know reasonably well, by virtue of living/having lived there. That limits it to the US and the UK.
So, in order from bad to much less bad. In the US, where I am – the Midwest, specifically Michigan. My advice; don’t do it here. As in all the US (except Ohio and Tennessee), I believe, you can legally change gender, but - well, it’s not going to be a barrel of laughs. Where in Michigan - or other Midwest state – you live makes a big difference. There are hugely liberal enclaves like Ann Arbor, where I am, where at least most of the people, and employers, will be cool (working for a University – as I do - really helps). But really, get out of the bible belt, and go West young man, er, woman. Out west, and all across Canada (yes, I know that’s not the US or the UK – I went to school in the UK), gender reassignment surgery is not necessary to legally change gender – In Michigan, and many other states outside the North East, it is a prerequisite. Whether that’s a big issue or not depends on the individual, of course.
Then there’s the UK. It’s the same rules everywhere, which is nice, and surgery is not required (there’s also gay marriage and other cool stuff, just saying). I sometimes think I should go home – it’s not like I have a ton of friends to lose. But I won’t have any there, except my daughter, and she has her life to lead. Of course my SG friends, they’re around wherever I am – though hugs are an issue 😁.
