Passing (gender)
A trans person who is perceived as cisgender may face less prejudice, harassment, and risk of violence, as well as better employment opportunities.
[5][6] In most interactions, one cannot observe others' physical sex characteristics, such as their genitals, and instead use other cues to discern another's gender such as body shape, clothing, and voice.
[11][12] The term stealth refers to trans people who effectively pass as cisgender and do not disclose their gender history.
[14] According to Gillian Branstetter from the National Center for Transgender Equality, "People privilege the rights of others based off of how they look".
People may feel safer being able to appear as a non-transgender person than if their gender identity was more easily identifiable.
[16] Passing privilege is the concept that transgender people face less prejudice when they are perceived as cisgender, including less risk of harassment and violence, as well as better employment opportunities.
[13] Additionally, being outed by one's physical attributes as a transgender or gender non-conforming individual can negatively impact one's cultural experience, resulting in neglect, abuse, or being disowned by one's community.
For people assigned male at birth, passing as female typically involves wearing a wig or styling hair in a manner typical of women in their culture, removing or disguising facial hair, and wearing makeup to make the face appear like that of a cisgender woman.
A feminine waist–hip ratio is created by either reducing the waist size with a corset and/or enlarging the hips and buttocks with padding.
[27][26][28] Tucking, the practice of hiding the penis and testicles so that they are not visible through tight clothing, can further contribute to passing as female.
Hormone replacement therapy is a medical intervention that further contributes to a female appearance by causing more feminine body fat distribution, the development of breasts, and lower waist-hip ratio.
This is due to male puberty typically enlarging the vocal cords, larynx, and sinus cavities.
Transgender men undergoing cross-sex hormone therapy develop a more masculine body fat distribution and reduced hip circumference.
[55] Two of the most famous examples from earlier eras are Hua Mulan, who, according to legend, took her elderly father's place in the Chinese army; and Onorata Rodiani (1403–1452), an Italian mercenary who served as a cavalry soldier, disguised in male clothing and with a male name.
According to source material, "After serving in several campaigns against the Indians of Chile and Peru, she distinguished herself sufficiently to be promoted to the rank of ensign."
Known for brawling, gambling, fighting, and killing people on a few occasions, her issues with violence would eventually lead her to reveal her true sex at what she thought at the time was the end of her life.
Due to various circumstances and issues regarding the reveal of her gender Hannah eventually ended up joining the marines instead.
Some of these passing women later identified as transgender, while others stopped taking hormones and returned to a butch female presentation once gains made by feminists allowed for better employment opportunities.
Outside of artistic expression, men who attempt to pass as women are not only less common but less socially accepted as a result.
[63] Many known male to female cross dressers are those from the upper class who do not face the same socioeconomic risks in repercussion to their cross-dressing.
Henry III of France was a historic cross-dresser, noted to dress as the opposite sex at grand parties and events.
He was reported to have "dressed as an Amazon" or "wearing a ball gown, makeup, earrings, and other jewelry, and attended by his so called mignons, or homosexual favorites".
[65][66][67] To maintain anonymity while in Bahrain, Michael Jackson wore women's clothes when out in public.
