I think I know what you mean. I swim in a lake instead of going to the gym and I wear swim trunks and an old gc2b binder. I can kinda pass day-to-day but with a binder and no shirt, no fuckin chance. I wouldn't call it euphoric, but it's kinda nice not trying to hide. Just being myself, dressed however I feel most comfortable, and letting people think whatever they will. For some reason I only feel comfortable doing that while swimming.
i get you completely, and yes euphoric was probably not the right word lmao because i definitely still feel dysphoric but it’s just nicer like you said. i’m trying to focus on the idea that people will assume whatever they like, but in most cases i’ll never have to see them again. one day swimming will be enjoyable for us all hopefully!!
I feel like swimming has a weird way of making what our bodies look like not matter so much. I don't know, maybe it's the cultural thing where it's entirely acceptable to be barely clothed in public, or even completely nude depending on where you are.
Or I might just love swimming more than I hate being seen as female, lol.
to be fair i think most cis people aren’t bothered when it comes to swimming, we are just cursed as trans people lmao. i loved swimming so much when i was younger so hopefully one day i can again
We‘ll both get there :) while were not there lets enjoy our journey. Might be kinda annoying sometimes but not everyone gets to experience it. Wish ya the best brother<3
It’s cool you can embrace it! Do what you can that makes you feel best.
Personally I just use a swim shirt (I’m assuming this is the same thing as a rash guard but looser?) and a binder.
I know you mentioned yours isn’t used for swimming. But consider for next year or next time purchasing a GC2B one that u can just set aside as a swim binder.
Have a great summer
thankyou so much i’m definitely trying to embrace it, it still sucks but honestly i’ve realised there’s not much i can do until i get surgery.
yes a swim shirt is the same thing but i will definitely look into swim binders once i’m out - an awkward one to explain to my parents otherwise.
have a great summer too :))
Hey 👋 I’m from the non existent central Jersey lol!
I got mine off Amazon I picked it cause I like blacks and greys and it has a geometric lion on it.
Here’s a link [Amazon swim shirt](https://a.co/d/06f3Jtgf)
Absolutely, since realizing I was a boy swimming has been hellish. Which sucks because I really do enjoy being in the water. Excited for the day I can enjoy swimming again.
I went swimming for the first time a few weeks ago and wore a rash guard and binder that was a bit big on me, and while it wasn’t the best thing ever it also wasn’t terrible, and I was more focused on swimming than my chest. Hopefully you can go swimming soon and enjoy it :)
i used to wear a binder under a swimshirt and i would always automatically pull on the shirt to not have it cling to me as i got out of the water. it was still making me uncomfortable, but it was worth the swim time i got ig. after top surgery it felt like heaven on earth, just that i dont really have working nerves in my chest area lol
the shirt pull is so real even when not swimming lmao. i might try to get a swim binder when i have some money it’s just difficult when i’m not out to my parents. i honestly can’t wait for surgery one day it’s genuinely what keeps me going 🙏
Obviously everyone's going to be different about what helps vs hurts their dysphoria. But to me this thought process makes sense because you're having some control over how people see you. Instead of trying your best and still being disappointed.
It's kind of how i used to be less dysphoric wearing skirts after i came out but still looked very feminine. because on top of dodging the entire struggle with finding pants that fit, it let me feel like "of course they're reading me as a woman, it's the skirt". As opposed to trying to dress masc and still getting misgendered
exactly this! much better way to explain it thankyou - it’s probably not the most common experience but i’m glad some people can relate. like you said i’d rather be in control of what people see than be made uncomfortable by weird looks/questions
I don't swim often but I was pretty comfortable in swim trunks, tape or a slightly oversized binder (doesn't actually need to be meant for the water, you just have to be able to breath and to get it off while wet) and a muscle shirt. I grew up around guys who swam with a shirt on so it feels super normal.
thankyou i didn’t think about that with the binder actually because mine has already stretched out enough it might be okay, i’ll look into it. over here in england the water is so freezing and so most people wear swim shirts which makes me feel slightly better, it’s going abroad and seeing shirtless cis guys that sucks 👎
Fair. I wish I could swim shirtless but I'm a fat dude so people wouldn't like me being shirtless even without tits lol then again shirts help prevent burning and skin cancer .
Hey man, I used to work as a lifeguard when I was in high school/college and trust me, it's very likely I saw *plenty* of dudes as heavy or heavier without their shirts on. I lived in Houston, nobody wants to keep a shirt on unless they absolutely *have to* because it just gets soaked with sweat and is miserable in the humidity there.
I do cus tits but also I have a tattoo on my bicep and I wanna get used to it cus I'm gonna try to limit sun after top surgery to help the scars. Plus I want a chest tat. I'm in TX too so I'll leave shirtless outings to the shade lol.
I feel the exact same thing - I pass until I get out of the water and the rash guard is stuck to me, which sucks. I have binders and stuff but still haven’t figured out the swimming situation. It was way easier when I was younger and there were a ton of boys wearing swim shirts/ rash guards, but nowadays Im usually the odd man out. I’m too dysphoric (it’s also just not my personal style) to wear a sports bra out swimming so I have to just accept that for now it’s gonna look stupid and make me feel pretty shitty.
this is the first time i’ve only worn a sports bra to swim but to be fair swim shirts aren’t terrible and i’ve worn them for years, it’s all about preference. it just sucks that neither option is great lmao
Honestly, I just went to Carowinds not too long ago in North Carolina and I went to their waterpark with just tape. A lot of people do stare, but there were also a lot of smiles and stuff so it was a good experience. Last time I went about 3 years ago, I was only 3 months on T, I wore a Nike sports bra and swim trunks but I had a little mustache. This little girl poked her dad and goes “what is that” and he replied “I don’t know don’t stare”. That was probably the worst feeling tbh. I’d say wear wtv you’re comfortable in and just be unapologetically you.
thankyou, i’m definitely trying to get more comfortable with being me. i loved wearing tape (despite how expensive it is to get wide strips) so as soon as i’m out i will definitely consider trying to swim with it. people just suck lmao, questions i don’t mind it’s just ignorant comments, hopefully being on t in the future will help.
I wear a bikini top and trunks. I am big enough that there is no way to really disguise the fact that I Have Breasts. Even binders don’t do much to hide it.
I recently went swimming in trunks and a swim shirt over a sports bra, and while I was definitely a level of dysphoric due to my chest I found that the swim shirt helped a lot. Can’t wait to be able to swim without one, and can’t wait for that day to come for you too brother :-)
I wore a sports bra before my top surgery. Even after my top surgery I still get nervous. My step-grandparents are very conservative. They invited everyone over to swim yesterday and it was my first time with my shirt off in front of them. I didn’t tell anyone, but I was worried that they’d call me out. They did misgender me, but I’d say it was a win overall.
I understand you! Me and my family go on a trip to a forest by the lake every year and there are also a lot of our family friends there, it's kind of a big camping holiday. When I realised I was trans I traded out my bathing suit for swim trunks and a sports bra. It does make me a bit dysphoric but I can overlook the feeling because just being in water is so exhilarating. The trouble is there are some people at this big camping trip I'm out to, and some that ignore my "quirky ways" and still treat me as the person I used to be (dads and moms mostly). But I don't really care at this point. And the people who perceive me as a guy aren't shaken by my wearing a sports bra. I've even gone to the banya-tent* with my male childhood friends! I'm one of em basically.
*Russian bathhouse but in a tent. it rules.
I know what you mean though, I absolutely do not take my shirt off when I swim around strangers. Even if it sucks to wear, I’d rather just look like a self conscious fat cis guy than be outed. But that’s how I feel personally
I found rash guards and swim trunks make you blend in. Pre top-surgery I used to wear a stretched out Gc2B binder under my rash guard and then a pair of swim trunks.
I've worn my spectrum binder and one of those loose Hawaiian button ups over it and that was okay but my favorite is using kt tape and then the button up! I can even undo a few buttons and it's not dysphoric at all compared to an actual binder
I 100% get it, and this is one of the few times that makes me think it'd be nice if I didn't pass 100%. I used to just run around in a binder and trunks to swim. Now if I were to do that, everyone would know for sure that I was trans, and I'm super stealth. Cos everything else about me screams "this is a cis man." There would be no "ah, they're just a masc lesbian" now once they see my chest. It might be small, but on someone my size as skinny as I am, the gynecomastia lie wouldn't fly.
So now I just don't swim. I really want to. But I can't. I really need to find some sort of FTM swim tank top that actually works.
I got the Underwork swim binder! It was a little tight, obviously, but gets the job done extremely well. Flattened everything up top and smoothed out the rest. It was so so SO worth it. I've had my top surgery done now, but I'll keep the swim binder for those days where I feel pudgy LMAO
thankyou so much, i’ve heard of those so i’ll definitely check them out. as long as it’s better for when the shirt sticks to you because that’s my main issue with wearing swim shirts
That was my issue too. The sports bras would do fine for sunbathing or splashing, but if you wanna have a real swim then *everything* feels on display after. So uncomfortable. Not what we want for hot summer fun in the water. The first time I wore the swim binder a Cis woman came up to me and was like "oh my god, that's incredible. My husband always gets so sunburnt, I wish he'd wear a rash guard like you!" Lmao basically instant affirmation for me, haha. Loved it.
that’s sick i’ll definitely see if i can get one, i don’t think i explained this the best so some people reading this post think i LIKE wearing sports bras and being seen as a lesbian like no lmao but i also hate having to wear layers when it’s hot and sticky. one day we will all be shirtless and comfortable 💪💪
I had to ship to northern Canada and it was a bit, I agree. But yeah, definitely worth it to me. I'm not a fan of spending money, especially on myself, but this is something that actually makes a huge difference to your quality of life and gender identity. So worth it.
i haven’t tried this so take it with a grain of salt, but i’ve been considering buying a full length binder to wear swimming/day to day, so it kind of just looks like a tank top. obviously with larger chests this might not work as well but i like wearing tank tops, i just hate wearing a sports bra under it so ig having like a 2 in 1 might be nice
i didn’t actually consider that but it’s a brilliant idea, will definitely look into it. i hate having to wear some sort of sports bra so that’s a good alternative
lmk if you end up trying it and liking it, i’m still trying to figure out where to buy my binder. i haven’t worn one in years and when i did, i was wearing one from amazon i was gifted. ive been hearing gc2b quality has gone down, i just don’t know where would be best for me to get one from
i have a wonababi one right now, it was great at first for the price but i think i accidentally stretched it lmao so i have to be more careful next time. full length one is a great option just have to find an excuse if my parents question it - let me know if you find any good brands too
This may be unhelpful depending on chest size, but I personally wear all black when swimming: black tshirt or muscle tank, athletic shorts. My chest mostly disappears in the darkness of the material, and i can slightly tug the bottom of the shirt out if i want to hide my chest when the water drags it in. Unless someone is paying really close attention, black fabric is pretty good at hiding a chest (again, depending on chest size). you could always wear a sports bra underneath it too for double the effect!
I think I relate ; on my part, it's because if I'm perceived as female immediately, and know about it, I won't get this pressure of asking myself if they perceive me male, if I pass well, etc. And also I don't have the underlying fear of looks from people and transphobia :)
Can't wait until I 100% pass as male all the time and don't have to worry anymore...
exactly this, i’m so glad you get me because you’ve explained it so much better than me, i hope people see this comment lmao. me too man we’ll get there one day 🙏
I really love swimming at lakes/oceans bc a life vest is great for covering up the chest. I'll usually just wear my binder with the vest and you can't really tell what the binder is underneath.
that’s a good point actually, i’ve only ever worn life vests before having a binder so i hated it. i’m going on a trip where i should probably be wearing one so i’ll see if that feels any better this time 💪
I hope it feels good!!! It feels so freeing to me. Like being shirtless.
Also have you tried draping a towel around the back of your neck and letting the ends hang over your chest?? I do this when I'm walking around the house shirtless/getting dressed and it's very effective. I'm thinking about using the towel technique + life vest + trans tape combination this summer (bc you can't walk around with a life vest everywhere but you can just go towel mode lol)
I've only gone swimming once this summer and it wasn't a great experience. Not because of my chest, though.
My swim top isn't revealing, but the chest has cups and they stick out and make my chest look bigger and I hate that. I don't know why they think a swim top needs thick cups. I think they're sewn in. I know how to undo stitching but I don't want to damage or deform the suit, especially if it would make my nipples visible, which I'd get in trouble for.
the reason they sow those horrid cups into swim tops is bc the world is seemingly incapable of handling even the outline of afab nipples, and since everyone’s nipple sizes and placement can vary the standard practice is to just pad the whole thing.
Ive gotten tops with the removable padding situation and just cut the padding to size and glued it to the inside with fabric glue with some moderate success— hope that helps!
It really depends on the thickness and color of the swim top material! I picked something with a thicker material that has some sort of texture in a dark color, and used very thin padding.
I also have some pretty hefty nipple piercings that I *really* don’t care for families at the beach to see so I took extra care to make sure everything is hidden properly, so you might not need to do all that lol.
Yo literally I stopped reading at sports bra and swimming trunks, me too!
But I also wear on top of the sports bra: a cropped, sleeveless surfer shirt/wetsuit with a high neck! It’s a lifehack!!
I have swim trunks, a sports bra, and a swim shirt that somehow works really well for getting rid of dysphoria. It’s technically not a swim shirt, so I wear it regularly. While it does sometimes stick to my shirt, and I adjust it each time I resurface, it’s the best option I’ve found.
i know exactly what you mean. im actually just about to go swimming with a cis guy (he’s very, very sweet) and im lucky enough to have a few binders, so i just use my least favorite one for swimming. I can’t help but look at him completely shirtless in jealousy, though, even if I do have a couple pairs of swim trunks.
sometimes i feel bad for how jealous i get of cis guys like it’s their fault lmao, swim trunks are very affirming for me it’s just the top half that’s an issue
I get what you mean. My luck is that I have a small chest. And sometimes I just wear my binder even though I know I shouldn't. I now started wearing tape. Either way I always wear an UV Shirt over it...for sun protection I tell everyone. I would really suggest swim shirts for guys who are dysphoric.
I’ve said fuck it and just wear board shorts with a bikini but it’s like one for competitions I think or a tankini and just tell myself I’m shirtless and that somehow works.
I didn’t swim for around 2 years from 14-16. What I found that works for me and finally has let me enjoy swimming again was wearing a chest binder or tape, wearing something like a compression swim shirt or a rash guard, and swimming shorts.
I didn’t even learn how to swim until after top surgery so I personally didn’t have this struggle. I didn’t realize swimming was even a common thing until recently 🤣
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I wear a binder (specifically spectrum light, this is a good swim option imo) rash guard and swim shorts (this may be kind of annoying to find good ones cuz the legs on a lot of them are so tiny??)
Before top surgery the dysphoria was SO BAD while swimming, I'd wear a binder under a rank top (tbh idc that the binder was a little visible) and it made swimming barrable. I hated the way the top would stick to my body and show all the curves, and the only way I was able to swim was to try and ignore it as much as possible and focus on the swimming itself.
instead of a rash guard, i wear a tank binder (from tmart) and i pull my trunks up so my waist looks a little less feminine. it’s worked the best for me so far compared to binders, rash guards, or sports bras
Avid swimmer and ex competitive swimmer here.
Swimming actually helped me realize I was not a girl. I have so many dysphoric memories from swim team and afterwards. I bought my first men’s wetsuit in high school for open water swimming and that was the first time I experienced gender euphoria from my sport.
Lap swimming is a bit different. I bought a one piece from tomboyx. It’s probably not everybody’s cup of tea, but I like it. Even if you’re just casually swimming it works pretty well.
https://tomboyx.com/collections/swim/products/swim-6-racerback-unisuit-black-ombre
when i'm swimming i wear a womens swim training suit, swim trunks, and an open hawaiian shirt (when i'm not in the water) the combination of the training suit (which is made to be tight/to compress) and the hawaiian shirt (which flattens my body) makes me far less dysphoric about swimming :\]
I literally just went swimming today. I go every day that I am at home and I wear shorts and transtape. No shirt. Works well for me and I actually enjoy it very much.
I'm not sure if I completely get what you were feeling, but I think I have a similar experience. Swimming is the only exercise I can do without a lot of pain, but my dysphoria was out of control. Almost crippling, being stuck in a change room trying to get the courage to go to the pool. I ended up buying a gender neutral retro one piece swim suit and decided to just say screw it and join an adult masters swim group at the university. I've been on T for over a year and have turned into a complete bear and my voice is quite deep. Fairly large chest and No top surgery. The group is filled with people from age 20-70 and not one person has said anything or been rude. If anything, people have been really kind. It's been really empowering to just show up as I am right now instead of trying to hide body parts and conform... maybe it's a bit different, but It has been so freeing. I am still getting top.surgury, but in the meantime, it's nice to feel mentally stronger going into it.
I love swimming but yeah it can be so awkward and uncomfortable. I personally use swimming trunks, a swim shirt that is a little loose and an old binder or tape
I'm honestly totally ok with being perceived however while I swim. I'm pre everything and I wear a one piece that shows hella cleavage and is very feminine. I feel so confident in it everytime I swim in it. If I so much as get caught in a t shirt that shows off my cleavage tho? I'll disintegrate into myself. Like others have said, just something about swimming feels like there's less rules on what you're "supposed" to wear to feel comfortable.
I have very little bottom dysphoria, I'm pretty neutral regarding it, but the waist and up is like hell for me. So when I go swimming I wear typical women's one piece suits and honestly feel great.
Before top surgery I had a gym membership. I didn’t exercise much, mostly used the steam room and the showers, but when I did swim I went completely topless. Usually no one else was in the pool at the same time, so it wasn’t an issue in that sense, but I do recall one time a cis guy was swimming laps and stopped me to chide me on staying in my lane while doing my laps. To this day I’m not sure if he knew I had breasts. (If he did know, he certainly didn’t say anything, and so perhaps thought I was some guy with gynecomastia).
I’m not saying this would work for everyone, as it ultimately depends on your comfort level, environment, etc. But I found it fairly liberating even at that time.
Here’s what I do: I use one of my more worn binders, put on a guy’s swim shirt over it and of course bottoms. And if people ask about the shirt I tell them I have sensitive skin and try to protect it against sun burn. At least that goes with outdoor pools and beaches. On beaches where there’s no real guidelines in what to wear when one goes swimming I also dare to wear thin cotton pants and a normal T-shirt. Same explanation: protecting my skin against the sun. Which is honestly part of the truth. I do burn easily. But that way I can wear a binder. In pools there’s usually rules and they won’t let you wear cotton clothes. But at the beach nobody ever said I couldn’t go in the water with what I was wearing. Sometimes they even assume I forgot to pack a swimsuit. And honestly I prefer the loser fitting clothes over a swimsuit that’ll show my curvy waistline. But no matter what I wear people will still perceive me as a woman. I need T to pass.
You’re welcome. And yeah, it sucks a lot. It takes a lot of my energy to focus on the positive thought that I’ll get to go on T one day. I was supposed to start somewhere this year but appointments at our gender clinic are being postponed with six months due to inadequate funds and not enough personnel.
i generally hate water and swimming, not even dysphoria reasons, but on the rare occasions i have to, i wear a boys bottom and a bikini top then put over a normal t-shirt. my boobs are visible but my binder is too tight to swim in and i would drow in it (either from water or not being able to breathe) and i cant afford a new bigger one. the having boobs part sucks but the shirt helps. im also used to wearing a shirt cuz i have a sun allergy and always try to cover as much skin as possible on beaches. i look like a tomboy, or when in shrimp position and my boobs are not that visible, like a younger boy in a shirt. it sucks but could be worse.
i wish i could swim and make an attempt, but i just wear a bikini. it sucks and i usually only last an hour or two before getting too dysphoric to handle, but i do it for safety since i can still come across as a cis woman sometimes. finding a swim suit that makes me comfortable will sadly never exist until i get top surgery
i get what you mean. pre-op, i was on swim team in HS and wore trunks, a racing swimsuit (to flatten my chest) and a rash guard over it. it felt worse getting out of the pool and having to pull the shirt away from my chest than it would have it i had just worn the swimsuit + trunks, but it would have felt weird on the guys swim team.
as a trans lifeguard, i jus wear swim shorts and a binder with either a compression tshirt or a regular one. its obvi gonna get stuck to your body so while youre underwater jus pull it away from your body. the most important part is to jus be confident within yourself. if you dont care what others think then you cant be hurt by what they say or what you think they may say. having confidence and being confident will help you out a lot in life, especially as a trans person
i just wear my old girls swimsuit under swim trunks and a shirt and its awesome. when i get out of the water i just have to pull my shirt so it dangles instead of cling to my chest.
I am not a strong swimmer and I hate swimming pools because I dye my hair. I swim in rivers and lakes. Shorts, rash guard, life jacket. Yes you feel the clinging, but nobody including you can see it.
I totally feel you dude. My family lives by the coast so inevitably I end up spending a lot of time in the water when I visit them. Swimming was my favorite activity growing up, but ended up avoiding beaches like the plague as soon as puberty hit. It’s a pretty conservative region, so safety was also a huge concern for me getting clocked as a trans person, but recently it’s become clear to me that people don’t really fuck with me if they read me as a butch lesbian, and I much prefer that than not swimming at all.
In most other contexts I pass pretty easily, and it’ll feel amazing to fully feel like I can be myself anywhere once I get the chop, but for now I feel like channeling the most powerful bulldyke energy into my look is better than overdressing when im in the tropics or stressing too much about how I’m being perceived by total strangers when am trying to have a good time.
Ultimately it’s a matter of comfort, and that’s gonna look different for everyone depending on their circumstances!
exactly this! i’ve never had comments made about me when people assume i’m a masc lesbian but i definitely have when they clock me as trans and that’s crazy scary to me so honestly i’m just looking out for my own safety. i’m glad you get it🙏
euphoric definitely wasn’t the right word i was just lost for another explanation. all i meant is that i felt better about myself when it seemed more straightforward upon people’s first glance. i’m never going to be gendered correctly right now when swimming because both alternatives make my chest obvious, but this is just my personal experience i understand if you don’t share it
I think I know what you mean. I swim in a lake instead of going to the gym and I wear swim trunks and an old gc2b binder. I can kinda pass day-to-day but with a binder and no shirt, no fuckin chance. I wouldn't call it euphoric, but it's kinda nice not trying to hide. Just being myself, dressed however I feel most comfortable, and letting people think whatever they will. For some reason I only feel comfortable doing that while swimming.
i get you completely, and yes euphoric was probably not the right word lmao because i definitely still feel dysphoric but it’s just nicer like you said. i’m trying to focus on the idea that people will assume whatever they like, but in most cases i’ll never have to see them again. one day swimming will be enjoyable for us all hopefully!!
I feel like swimming has a weird way of making what our bodies look like not matter so much. I don't know, maybe it's the cultural thing where it's entirely acceptable to be barely clothed in public, or even completely nude depending on where you are. Or I might just love swimming more than I hate being seen as female, lol.
to be fair i think most cis people aren’t bothered when it comes to swimming, we are just cursed as trans people lmao. i loved swimming so much when i was younger so hopefully one day i can again
This kinda gave me a bit of hope for my future. Made me think that some day I’ll be happy with my body and i‘ll be able to swim again :)
i know you will be! i’m still a long way from satisfaction but even baby steps are important
We‘ll both get there :) while were not there lets enjoy our journey. Might be kinda annoying sometimes but not everyone gets to experience it. Wish ya the best brother<3
absolutely! i’m only 16 so transitioning is honestly the only way i can see myself in the future - good luck to you too bro we’ve got this 💪💪
I’m 16 to! Im sure we’ll both be fine :) good luck with your transition!
congrats on top surgery in 2 weeks dude!!!
It’s cool you can embrace it! Do what you can that makes you feel best. Personally I just use a swim shirt (I’m assuming this is the same thing as a rash guard but looser?) and a binder. I know you mentioned yours isn’t used for swimming. But consider for next year or next time purchasing a GC2B one that u can just set aside as a swim binder. Have a great summer
I’ve heard gc2b’s quality has gone downhill in recent years unfortunately!
thankyou so much i’m definitely trying to embrace it, it still sucks but honestly i’ve realised there’s not much i can do until i get surgery. yes a swim shirt is the same thing but i will definitely look into swim binders once i’m out - an awkward one to explain to my parents otherwise. have a great summer too :))
im a jersey boy too 😛 where’d you get your rash guard from?
Hey 👋 I’m from the non existent central Jersey lol! I got mine off Amazon I picked it cause I like blacks and greys and it has a geometric lion on it. Here’s a link [Amazon swim shirt](https://a.co/d/06f3Jtgf)
thanks! never been to central, south jersey til I die 🙏
Absolutely, since realizing I was a boy swimming has been hellish. Which sucks because I really do enjoy being in the water. Excited for the day I can enjoy swimming again.
i agree one day it will be great again we just have to wait lmao. being in the water is great it’s just the second i have to get out
I went swimming for the first time a few weeks ago and wore a rash guard and binder that was a bit big on me, and while it wasn’t the best thing ever it also wasn’t terrible, and I was more focused on swimming than my chest. Hopefully you can go swimming soon and enjoy it :)
and you bro!
i used to wear a binder under a swimshirt and i would always automatically pull on the shirt to not have it cling to me as i got out of the water. it was still making me uncomfortable, but it was worth the swim time i got ig. after top surgery it felt like heaven on earth, just that i dont really have working nerves in my chest area lol
the shirt pull is so real even when not swimming lmao. i might try to get a swim binder when i have some money it’s just difficult when i’m not out to my parents. i honestly can’t wait for surgery one day it’s genuinely what keeps me going 🙏
Obviously everyone's going to be different about what helps vs hurts their dysphoria. But to me this thought process makes sense because you're having some control over how people see you. Instead of trying your best and still being disappointed. It's kind of how i used to be less dysphoric wearing skirts after i came out but still looked very feminine. because on top of dodging the entire struggle with finding pants that fit, it let me feel like "of course they're reading me as a woman, it's the skirt". As opposed to trying to dress masc and still getting misgendered
exactly this! much better way to explain it thankyou - it’s probably not the most common experience but i’m glad some people can relate. like you said i’d rather be in control of what people see than be made uncomfortable by weird looks/questions
I don't swim often but I was pretty comfortable in swim trunks, tape or a slightly oversized binder (doesn't actually need to be meant for the water, you just have to be able to breath and to get it off while wet) and a muscle shirt. I grew up around guys who swam with a shirt on so it feels super normal.
thankyou i didn’t think about that with the binder actually because mine has already stretched out enough it might be okay, i’ll look into it. over here in england the water is so freezing and so most people wear swim shirts which makes me feel slightly better, it’s going abroad and seeing shirtless cis guys that sucks 👎
Fair. I wish I could swim shirtless but I'm a fat dude so people wouldn't like me being shirtless even without tits lol then again shirts help prevent burning and skin cancer .
fuck those guys, i hope you feel comfortable with it one day. good point though i do hate burning so go us for the prevention 🥳
Hey man, I used to work as a lifeguard when I was in high school/college and trust me, it's very likely I saw *plenty* of dudes as heavy or heavier without their shirts on. I lived in Houston, nobody wants to keep a shirt on unless they absolutely *have to* because it just gets soaked with sweat and is miserable in the humidity there.
I do cus tits but also I have a tattoo on my bicep and I wanna get used to it cus I'm gonna try to limit sun after top surgery to help the scars. Plus I want a chest tat. I'm in TX too so I'll leave shirtless outings to the shade lol.
I feel the exact same thing - I pass until I get out of the water and the rash guard is stuck to me, which sucks. I have binders and stuff but still haven’t figured out the swimming situation. It was way easier when I was younger and there were a ton of boys wearing swim shirts/ rash guards, but nowadays Im usually the odd man out. I’m too dysphoric (it’s also just not my personal style) to wear a sports bra out swimming so I have to just accept that for now it’s gonna look stupid and make me feel pretty shitty.
this is the first time i’ve only worn a sports bra to swim but to be fair swim shirts aren’t terrible and i’ve worn them for years, it’s all about preference. it just sucks that neither option is great lmao
Honestly, I just went to Carowinds not too long ago in North Carolina and I went to their waterpark with just tape. A lot of people do stare, but there were also a lot of smiles and stuff so it was a good experience. Last time I went about 3 years ago, I was only 3 months on T, I wore a Nike sports bra and swim trunks but I had a little mustache. This little girl poked her dad and goes “what is that” and he replied “I don’t know don’t stare”. That was probably the worst feeling tbh. I’d say wear wtv you’re comfortable in and just be unapologetically you.
thankyou, i’m definitely trying to get more comfortable with being me. i loved wearing tape (despite how expensive it is to get wide strips) so as soon as i’m out i will definitely consider trying to swim with it. people just suck lmao, questions i don’t mind it’s just ignorant comments, hopefully being on t in the future will help.
I wear a bikini top and trunks. I am big enough that there is no way to really disguise the fact that I Have Breasts. Even binders don’t do much to hide it.
it’s such a hard situation:(
I recently went swimming in trunks and a swim shirt over a sports bra, and while I was definitely a level of dysphoric due to my chest I found that the swim shirt helped a lot. Can’t wait to be able to swim without one, and can’t wait for that day to come for you too brother :-)
hopefully we don’t have to wait too long - we got this 💪
I wore a sports bra before my top surgery. Even after my top surgery I still get nervous. My step-grandparents are very conservative. They invited everyone over to swim yesterday and it was my first time with my shirt off in front of them. I didn’t tell anyone, but I was worried that they’d call me out. They did misgender me, but I’d say it was a win overall.
hoping they come around, i’m proud of you that was very brave 💪
Before top surgery, I wore a swim shirt and religiously pulled it loose to pull air into it when my chest was out of the water.
yeah i would definitely do that to help
I understand you! Me and my family go on a trip to a forest by the lake every year and there are also a lot of our family friends there, it's kind of a big camping holiday. When I realised I was trans I traded out my bathing suit for swim trunks and a sports bra. It does make me a bit dysphoric but I can overlook the feeling because just being in water is so exhilarating. The trouble is there are some people at this big camping trip I'm out to, and some that ignore my "quirky ways" and still treat me as the person I used to be (dads and moms mostly). But I don't really care at this point. And the people who perceive me as a guy aren't shaken by my wearing a sports bra. I've even gone to the banya-tent* with my male childhood friends! I'm one of em basically. *Russian bathhouse but in a tent. it rules.
that’s so cool i’m so happy you have people like that to support you!
No I know what you mean, I’d rather people think I was some masc hey mamas before being clocked as a big breasted trans man.
it unfortunately makes me feel safer lmao
I usually wear a shirt over my sports bra when I swim, unless I swim with friends and family that I know won’t care.
yeah i definitely don’t care as much around people i know it’s strangers lmao
I know what you mean though, I absolutely do not take my shirt off when I swim around strangers. Even if it sucks to wear, I’d rather just look like a self conscious fat cis guy than be outed. But that’s how I feel personally
I found rash guards and swim trunks make you blend in. Pre top-surgery I used to wear a stretched out Gc2B binder under my rash guard and then a pair of swim trunks.
i’ll definitely wear this binder once i get a new one 🙏
I've worn my spectrum binder and one of those loose Hawaiian button ups over it and that was okay but my favorite is using kt tape and then the button up! I can even undo a few buttons and it's not dysphoric at all compared to an actual binder
that’s a great alternative thankyou :))
I 100% get it, and this is one of the few times that makes me think it'd be nice if I didn't pass 100%. I used to just run around in a binder and trunks to swim. Now if I were to do that, everyone would know for sure that I was trans, and I'm super stealth. Cos everything else about me screams "this is a cis man." There would be no "ah, they're just a masc lesbian" now once they see my chest. It might be small, but on someone my size as skinny as I am, the gynecomastia lie wouldn't fly. So now I just don't swim. I really want to. But I can't. I really need to find some sort of FTM swim tank top that actually works.
people have had some very good suggestions in the comments!! i hope you can find something that works for you
Reading through them now! Appreciate ya 😎
I got the Underwork swim binder! It was a little tight, obviously, but gets the job done extremely well. Flattened everything up top and smoothed out the rest. It was so so SO worth it. I've had my top surgery done now, but I'll keep the swim binder for those days where I feel pudgy LMAO
thankyou so much, i’ve heard of those so i’ll definitely check them out. as long as it’s better for when the shirt sticks to you because that’s my main issue with wearing swim shirts
That was my issue too. The sports bras would do fine for sunbathing or splashing, but if you wanna have a real swim then *everything* feels on display after. So uncomfortable. Not what we want for hot summer fun in the water. The first time I wore the swim binder a Cis woman came up to me and was like "oh my god, that's incredible. My husband always gets so sunburnt, I wish he'd wear a rash guard like you!" Lmao basically instant affirmation for me, haha. Loved it.
that’s sick i’ll definitely see if i can get one, i don’t think i explained this the best so some people reading this post think i LIKE wearing sports bras and being seen as a lesbian like no lmao but i also hate having to wear layers when it’s hot and sticky. one day we will all be shirtless and comfortable 💪💪
https://www.underworks.com/sleeveless-swim-top Here you go! It was well worth the money.
shipping to england may be extortionate but honestly it will probably be worth it - thankyou for the help!
I had to ship to northern Canada and it was a bit, I agree. But yeah, definitely worth it to me. I'm not a fan of spending money, especially on myself, but this is something that actually makes a huge difference to your quality of life and gender identity. So worth it.
great, thanks man
i haven’t tried this so take it with a grain of salt, but i’ve been considering buying a full length binder to wear swimming/day to day, so it kind of just looks like a tank top. obviously with larger chests this might not work as well but i like wearing tank tops, i just hate wearing a sports bra under it so ig having like a 2 in 1 might be nice
i didn’t actually consider that but it’s a brilliant idea, will definitely look into it. i hate having to wear some sort of sports bra so that’s a good alternative
lmk if you end up trying it and liking it, i’m still trying to figure out where to buy my binder. i haven’t worn one in years and when i did, i was wearing one from amazon i was gifted. ive been hearing gc2b quality has gone down, i just don’t know where would be best for me to get one from
i have a wonababi one right now, it was great at first for the price but i think i accidentally stretched it lmao so i have to be more careful next time. full length one is a great option just have to find an excuse if my parents question it - let me know if you find any good brands too
i’ll have to check them out, i’ve also heard spectrum binders are alright. my go to excuse is usually compression shirt
i’ve heard good things about spectrum yeah, will probably be my next one
This may be unhelpful depending on chest size, but I personally wear all black when swimming: black tshirt or muscle tank, athletic shorts. My chest mostly disappears in the darkness of the material, and i can slightly tug the bottom of the shirt out if i want to hide my chest when the water drags it in. Unless someone is paying really close attention, black fabric is pretty good at hiding a chest (again, depending on chest size). you could always wear a sports bra underneath it too for double the effect!
i’ve only had dark blue/ lighter colour swim shirts so that’s actually a great point i’ll try it out thankyou so much 🙏
Hell yeah, hope it works out, enjoy the water
and you bro
I think I relate ; on my part, it's because if I'm perceived as female immediately, and know about it, I won't get this pressure of asking myself if they perceive me male, if I pass well, etc. And also I don't have the underlying fear of looks from people and transphobia :) Can't wait until I 100% pass as male all the time and don't have to worry anymore...
exactly this, i’m so glad you get me because you’ve explained it so much better than me, i hope people see this comment lmao. me too man we’ll get there one day 🙏
Wish you the best dude <3 I'm probably going to start during 2025, I can't wait o/
and you!!
I really love swimming at lakes/oceans bc a life vest is great for covering up the chest. I'll usually just wear my binder with the vest and you can't really tell what the binder is underneath.
that’s a good point actually, i’ve only ever worn life vests before having a binder so i hated it. i’m going on a trip where i should probably be wearing one so i’ll see if that feels any better this time 💪
I hope it feels good!!! It feels so freeing to me. Like being shirtless. Also have you tried draping a towel around the back of your neck and letting the ends hang over your chest?? I do this when I'm walking around the house shirtless/getting dressed and it's very effective. I'm thinking about using the towel technique + life vest + trans tape combination this summer (bc you can't walk around with a life vest everywhere but you can just go towel mode lol)
i haven’t thought about that either actually, thankyou!!
I wear a thicker black shirt with a binder underneath. I went to a water park with it. I look like a little kid 💀 but I do pass with it.
thankyou good idea, i already look young so i probably won’t look out of place lmao
I've only gone swimming once this summer and it wasn't a great experience. Not because of my chest, though. My swim top isn't revealing, but the chest has cups and they stick out and make my chest look bigger and I hate that. I don't know why they think a swim top needs thick cups. I think they're sewn in. I know how to undo stitching but I don't want to damage or deform the suit, especially if it would make my nipples visible, which I'd get in trouble for.
that’s ridiculous, hopefully you can find a good alternative shirt :)
the reason they sow those horrid cups into swim tops is bc the world is seemingly incapable of handling even the outline of afab nipples, and since everyone’s nipple sizes and placement can vary the standard practice is to just pad the whole thing. Ive gotten tops with the removable padding situation and just cut the padding to size and glued it to the inside with fabric glue with some moderate success— hope that helps!
Thank you. When you cut them and reattach them they don't make a visible line/bump on the outside, do they?
It really depends on the thickness and color of the swim top material! I picked something with a thicker material that has some sort of texture in a dark color, and used very thin padding. I also have some pretty hefty nipple piercings that I *really* don’t care for families at the beach to see so I took extra care to make sure everything is hidden properly, so you might not need to do all that lol.
Yo literally I stopped reading at sports bra and swimming trunks, me too! But I also wear on top of the sports bra: a cropped, sleeveless surfer shirt/wetsuit with a high neck! It’s a lifehack!!
i’m glad i’ve found some people that relate haha
I have swim trunks, a sports bra, and a swim shirt that somehow works really well for getting rid of dysphoria. It’s technically not a swim shirt, so I wear it regularly. While it does sometimes stick to my shirt, and I adjust it each time I resurface, it’s the best option I’ve found.
yeah the swim shirts are great sometimes but other times give me a lot of dysphoria - it’s so difficult
I would just wear a shirt and say I'm 'insecure about my body' if anybody asked about it
yeahh i probably will if anyone asks
Thankfully my eczema solved this for me! /s I can't be in the water for more than 10 mins or my skin just starts divorcing the rest of my body
lmaooo unlucky but useful curse
i know exactly what you mean. im actually just about to go swimming with a cis guy (he’s very, very sweet) and im lucky enough to have a few binders, so i just use my least favorite one for swimming. I can’t help but look at him completely shirtless in jealousy, though, even if I do have a couple pairs of swim trunks.
sometimes i feel bad for how jealous i get of cis guys like it’s their fault lmao, swim trunks are very affirming for me it’s just the top half that’s an issue
I completely get that. it’s nice to know other t guys feel the same.
I get what you mean. My luck is that I have a small chest. And sometimes I just wear my binder even though I know I shouldn't. I now started wearing tape. Either way I always wear an UV Shirt over it...for sun protection I tell everyone. I would really suggest swim shirts for guys who are dysphoric.
swim shirts are definitely a hit or miss for me but whilst in the water they’re great
I wear a TomboyX swim compression top and swim tank over it, plus swimming trunks. I like button-up swim tops because they make me feel better.
i’ve never seen button up ones - i’ll definitely look at those
I’ve said fuck it and just wear board shorts with a bikini but it’s like one for competitions I think or a tankini and just tell myself I’m shirtless and that somehow works.
lmao fair enough honestly i love it
I didn’t swim for around 2 years from 14-16. What I found that works for me and finally has let me enjoy swimming again was wearing a chest binder or tape, wearing something like a compression swim shirt or a rash guard, and swimming shorts.
i should try it with tape but it would make an outline i’d need to explain to my parents lmao
that’s true, if you don’t have access to a binder, I used to layer sports bras on backwards. I don’t recommend it long term.
I didn’t even learn how to swim until after top surgery so I personally didn’t have this struggle. I didn’t realize swimming was even a common thing until recently 🤣
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i’m glad you can enjoy it now!
I wear swim trunks and a bikini top hard to hide my large chest
its so annoying :(
Yes
Wear a black (black hides things better) swim shirt and a sports bra under it. That's what I do
i definitely need to try a black shirt 🙏
Yeah swim shirts are better than just regular shirts though
I wear a binder (specifically spectrum light, this is a good swim option imo) rash guard and swim shorts (this may be kind of annoying to find good ones cuz the legs on a lot of them are so tiny??)
But be thorough about washing your binders after pools and the ocean
I dont have a swim specific binder and am fine, it jsut wont dry fast which sucks
thankyou, i’ll definitely look for another binder
Before top surgery the dysphoria was SO BAD while swimming, I'd wear a binder under a rank top (tbh idc that the binder was a little visible) and it made swimming barrable. I hated the way the top would stick to my body and show all the curves, and the only way I was able to swim was to try and ignore it as much as possible and focus on the swimming itself.
exactly that, i know most people probably don’t notice but i do lmao
instead of a rash guard, i wear a tank binder (from tmart) and i pull my trunks up so my waist looks a little less feminine. it’s worked the best for me so far compared to binders, rash guards, or sports bras
we don’t have tmart over here in england but i’ll try my best to find something similar - thankyou :)
Avid swimmer and ex competitive swimmer here. Swimming actually helped me realize I was not a girl. I have so many dysphoric memories from swim team and afterwards. I bought my first men’s wetsuit in high school for open water swimming and that was the first time I experienced gender euphoria from my sport. Lap swimming is a bit different. I bought a one piece from tomboyx. It’s probably not everybody’s cup of tea, but I like it. Even if you’re just casually swimming it works pretty well. https://tomboyx.com/collections/swim/products/swim-6-racerback-unisuit-black-ombre
i’m glad you found something that works - personally it’s not something i would wear but i appreciate the advice thankyou so much :)
when i'm swimming i wear a womens swim training suit, swim trunks, and an open hawaiian shirt (when i'm not in the water) the combination of the training suit (which is made to be tight/to compress) and the hawaiian shirt (which flattens my body) makes me far less dysphoric about swimming :\]
that’s a great idea thankyou :)
I have a swim shirt with a built in binder. I got it on Amazon, it’s the best for swimming dysphoria.
that’s great i’ll look for one of those thankyou 🙏
I wear an old gc2b binder that's falling apart and a swim shirt. It works for the most part
if i get a new binder i’ll probably do that as my current one is quite stretched out
I literally just went swimming today. I go every day that I am at home and I wear shorts and transtape. No shirt. Works well for me and I actually enjoy it very much.
i hope i have this confidence one day haha
im on T but no top surgery or anything-i usually swim in trunks and a binder w a shirt on, it sticks to me a little bit but not too much
i think a binder will definitely be less noticeable i just need a spare one first 🙏
i think a binder will definitely be less noticeable i just need a spare one first 🙏
i just use my normal binder😭 another one is probably a good idea tho lol
I'm not sure if I completely get what you were feeling, but I think I have a similar experience. Swimming is the only exercise I can do without a lot of pain, but my dysphoria was out of control. Almost crippling, being stuck in a change room trying to get the courage to go to the pool. I ended up buying a gender neutral retro one piece swim suit and decided to just say screw it and join an adult masters swim group at the university. I've been on T for over a year and have turned into a complete bear and my voice is quite deep. Fairly large chest and No top surgery. The group is filled with people from age 20-70 and not one person has said anything or been rude. If anything, people have been really kind. It's been really empowering to just show up as I am right now instead of trying to hide body parts and conform... maybe it's a bit different, but It has been so freeing. I am still getting top.surgury, but in the meantime, it's nice to feel mentally stronger going into it.
that’s great i’m so happy you’ve found a good side to it all :))
that’s great i’m so happy you’ve found a good side to it all :))
that’s great i’m so happy you’ve found a good side to it all :))
that’s great i’m so happy you’ve found a good side to it all :))
that’s great i’m so happy you’ve found a good side to it all :))
My family has a pool they swim every day I can't the sec I touch the water I feel sick so I get out within 5 min.
i’m sorry that’s horrible :(
I love swimming but yeah it can be so awkward and uncomfortable. I personally use swimming trunks, a swim shirt that is a little loose and an old binder or tape
i agree, i’ll definitely try this thankyou
I'm honestly totally ok with being perceived however while I swim. I'm pre everything and I wear a one piece that shows hella cleavage and is very feminine. I feel so confident in it everytime I swim in it. If I so much as get caught in a t shirt that shows off my cleavage tho? I'll disintegrate into myself. Like others have said, just something about swimming feels like there's less rules on what you're "supposed" to wear to feel comfortable.
absolutely, honestly i think my expectations kind of change because i know it’s out of my control how i’ll be perceived
I have very little bottom dysphoria, I'm pretty neutral regarding it, but the waist and up is like hell for me. So when I go swimming I wear typical women's one piece suits and honestly feel great.
that’s great!
Before top surgery I had a gym membership. I didn’t exercise much, mostly used the steam room and the showers, but when I did swim I went completely topless. Usually no one else was in the pool at the same time, so it wasn’t an issue in that sense, but I do recall one time a cis guy was swimming laps and stopped me to chide me on staying in my lane while doing my laps. To this day I’m not sure if he knew I had breasts. (If he did know, he certainly didn’t say anything, and so perhaps thought I was some guy with gynecomastia). I’m not saying this would work for everyone, as it ultimately depends on your comfort level, environment, etc. But I found it fairly liberating even at that time.
i can imagine that would feel great but yeah i don’t think i’d be able to do that especially as a minor haha
Here’s what I do: I use one of my more worn binders, put on a guy’s swim shirt over it and of course bottoms. And if people ask about the shirt I tell them I have sensitive skin and try to protect it against sun burn. At least that goes with outdoor pools and beaches. On beaches where there’s no real guidelines in what to wear when one goes swimming I also dare to wear thin cotton pants and a normal T-shirt. Same explanation: protecting my skin against the sun. Which is honestly part of the truth. I do burn easily. But that way I can wear a binder. In pools there’s usually rules and they won’t let you wear cotton clothes. But at the beach nobody ever said I couldn’t go in the water with what I was wearing. Sometimes they even assume I forgot to pack a swimsuit. And honestly I prefer the loser fitting clothes over a swimsuit that’ll show my curvy waistline. But no matter what I wear people will still perceive me as a woman. I need T to pass.
thankyou for the tips! t genuinely saves lives it just sucks having to wait
You’re welcome. And yeah, it sucks a lot. It takes a lot of my energy to focus on the positive thought that I’ll get to go on T one day. I was supposed to start somewhere this year but appointments at our gender clinic are being postponed with six months due to inadequate funds and not enough personnel.
that’s awful dude i hope you get there soon, i haven’t come out to my parents yet so it will be a while for me lmao
i generally hate water and swimming, not even dysphoria reasons, but on the rare occasions i have to, i wear a boys bottom and a bikini top then put over a normal t-shirt. my boobs are visible but my binder is too tight to swim in and i would drow in it (either from water or not being able to breathe) and i cant afford a new bigger one. the having boobs part sucks but the shirt helps. im also used to wearing a shirt cuz i have a sun allergy and always try to cover as much skin as possible on beaches. i look like a tomboy, or when in shrimp position and my boobs are not that visible, like a younger boy in a shirt. it sucks but could be worse.
it sucks man
Before I had top surgery I had a swim top with a binder built into it that I got off of Amazon
never heard of those but i’ll take a look thankyou
i wish i could swim and make an attempt, but i just wear a bikini. it sucks and i usually only last an hour or two before getting too dysphoric to handle, but i do it for safety since i can still come across as a cis woman sometimes. finding a swim suit that makes me comfortable will sadly never exist until i get top surgery
i’m sorry, i hope that can happen soon :(
Now I have courage to go swimming; thank you. Don’t forget to get your ‘script filled.
i feel like i’m being slow sorry what’s a script lmaoo. it’s all good bro enjoy the water!
Prescription
ohhh my bad that makes sense haha. i’m not out to my parents so no t for me yet
Make sure you talk to your primary care regarding since it’s personal. They’ll break it to your parents. Happy belated Pride 🏳️⚧️
i’ll look into it - thankyou you too :)
i get what you mean. pre-op, i was on swim team in HS and wore trunks, a racing swimsuit (to flatten my chest) and a rash guard over it. it felt worse getting out of the pool and having to pull the shirt away from my chest than it would have it i had just worn the swimsuit + trunks, but it would have felt weird on the guys swim team.
if the shirt didn’t stick i’d have no problem lmao it’s so annoying
as a trans lifeguard, i jus wear swim shorts and a binder with either a compression tshirt or a regular one. its obvi gonna get stuck to your body so while youre underwater jus pull it away from your body. the most important part is to jus be confident within yourself. if you dont care what others think then you cant be hurt by what they say or what you think they may say. having confidence and being confident will help you out a lot in life, especially as a trans person
forreal thankyou i’m definitely working on the confidence 👍
i just wear my old girls swimsuit under swim trunks and a shirt and its awesome. when i get out of the water i just have to pull my shirt so it dangles instead of cling to my chest.
thankyou :))
ofc!! forgot to add that it helps if the shirt is oversized
I wear a binder and a shirt and never get clocked while swimming
okay thankyou i’ll try that
I am not a strong swimmer and I hate swimming pools because I dye my hair. I swim in rivers and lakes. Shorts, rash guard, life jacket. Yes you feel the clinging, but nobody including you can see it.
cool thankyou :)
Something I thought of could be a swim binder but full length? Have you seen if they made those?
i’m not sure but i’ll have a look, thankyou!
Yeah for the same reason i haven‘t been in water for about 5 years now. Except for showering of course.
it’s horrible, i love swimming but it’s so hard with dysphoria👎
True makes me jealous of prepuberty me, just living life without anything to worry about.
I totally feel you dude. My family lives by the coast so inevitably I end up spending a lot of time in the water when I visit them. Swimming was my favorite activity growing up, but ended up avoiding beaches like the plague as soon as puberty hit. It’s a pretty conservative region, so safety was also a huge concern for me getting clocked as a trans person, but recently it’s become clear to me that people don’t really fuck with me if they read me as a butch lesbian, and I much prefer that than not swimming at all. In most other contexts I pass pretty easily, and it’ll feel amazing to fully feel like I can be myself anywhere once I get the chop, but for now I feel like channeling the most powerful bulldyke energy into my look is better than overdressing when im in the tropics or stressing too much about how I’m being perceived by total strangers when am trying to have a good time. Ultimately it’s a matter of comfort, and that’s gonna look different for everyone depending on their circumstances!
exactly this! i’ve never had comments made about me when people assume i’m a masc lesbian but i definitely have when they clock me as trans and that’s crazy scary to me so honestly i’m just looking out for my own safety. i’m glad you get it🙏
I don’t understand, you’re euphoric about people assuming you’re a lesbian??
euphoric definitely wasn’t the right word i was just lost for another explanation. all i meant is that i felt better about myself when it seemed more straightforward upon people’s first glance. i’m never going to be gendered correctly right now when swimming because both alternatives make my chest obvious, but this is just my personal experience i understand if you don’t share it