Structure inspired by Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl“
- Use both your index fingers to push the testicles in so they recede into your body; don’t
come out to your mom yet; when you do end up coming out to mom, don’t do what I did;
come out on your own terms. - Tuck your penis between your legs; hide femme clothing where no one but you can find
it; increase your vocal resonance to make your voice sound more feminine; when you use
the woman’s bathroom, don’t bring attention to masculine features such as your voice. - Bring one of your hands around and pull the penis close to your buttocks from the other
side; be assertive so people don’t misgender you like they did with me; don’t get
pressured into falling under a particular label; don’t feel like you always have to dress
and act femme in order to be a woman. - Bring your legs together to keep the penis in place while you pull up the underwear; don’t
cave into all the transphobic bullshit society loves perpetuating; don’t believe the idea
that you are transitioning for perverted sexual gratification; don’t conflate your gender
euphoria with sexual pleasure — your joy for being a woman is genuine and innocent. - Make sure to use tight fitting underwear as opposed to tape or anything else that would
cause irritation; this is what you should do when guys start cat-calling you; this is what
you should do when they call you crossdresser; this is what you should do when they call
you a transvestite; this is what you should do when they call you a tranny. - Above all else, make sure the tuck is comfortable; don’t view yourself as inauthentic
because, as we both already know, gender is a fucking construct; reveal your gender
identity to those who you feel with knowing; this is how you create a wide support
system; don’t end up isolated like how I was when first discovered my identity. - An uncomfortable tuck will only bring more attention to your genitalia; when this ever
becomes too much, reach out to me; this is how we will run away if they don’t accept us;
this is how we’ll find our own community where we can be ourselves.