Stealth (transgender)
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

In the context of
gender Gender is the range of social, psychological, cultural, and behavioral aspects of being a man (or boy), woman (or girl), or third gender. Although gender often corresponds to sex, a transgender person may identify with a gender other tha ...
, passing is someone being perceived as a gender they identify as or are attempting to be seen as, rather than their sex assigned at birth. Historically, this was common among women who served in occupations where they were prohibited, such as in combat roles in the military. For transgender people, it is when a person is perceived as a cisgender person of their gender instead of the sex they were assigned at birth. For example, a transgender man is passing if he is perceived as a cisgender man. The appropriateness of the term ''passing'', and the desirability of blending into society, are debated within the transgender community. A trans person who is perceived as cisgender may face less prejudice, harassment, and risk of violence, as well as better employment opportunities. This is sometimes termed ''passing privilege''.


Terminology


Gender attribution

Gender attribution is the process by which an observer decides which gender they believe another person to be. 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. Once an observer makes an attribution of the person's gender, it can be difficult for the observer to change their mind and see the person as another gender.Jennifer Anne Stevens. ''From Masculine to Feminine and All Points in Between'', Different Path Press, 1990. Gender attribution can be an obstacle for those seeking to pass if their physical appearance leads them to be seen as a gender different than how they wish to present.


Passing

Passing typically involves a mixture of physical gender cues, for example, hairstyle or clothing, and certain behavioral attributes that tend to be culturally associated with a particular gender.


Being clocked

Being is when a transgender person is identified as transgender by observers, usually while trying to pass as cisgender.


Stealth

The term refers to trans people who effectively pass as cisgender and do not disclose their gender history. People may also choose to be stealth in some parts of their lives and not others, such as being stealth at work but openly transgender amongst friends. Being stealth can be chosen as a protective measure against discrimination or violence. According to Gillian Branstetter from the National Center for Transgender Equality, "People privilege the rights of others 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.


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. There is a lack of research about the impact that passing has on an individual's societal experience.Begun, Stephanie; Kattari, Shanna K. (January 2, 2016). "Conforming for survival: Associations between transgender visual conformity/passing and homelessness experiences". ''Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services''. 28 (1): 54–66. doi:10.1080/10538720.2016.1125821. ISSN 1053-8720. One study showed that passing can reduce one's likelihood of experiencing homelessness, as well as improve one's experience with homeless shelters; the study found that 11.4% of its transgender/gender non-conforming sample group stated that they had experienced homelessness directly related to their gender identity, and 16.3% indicated they needed to seek new or short-term living arrangements due to their identity. Among those dealing with direct homelessness, those who lacked the ability to pass were more likely to experience a variety of difficulties including harassment from staff and other visitors, difficulties being accepted to and staying in the shelters themselves, and being less likely to seek assistance from shelters in the first place.


Effects of passing and not passing

The risks of not fully passing for the gender one is presenting as can vary depending on the circumstances. There is a significant difference between drag queens, or those who otherwise dress for performances, and transgender persons. Risks tend to be much higher for those concerned with passing on a fairly constant basis as opposed to those attempting to pass in the context of a public or semi-public performance. Transgender people face high rates of harassment and violence, including sexual, physical, and verbal violence and harassment, sexual objectification, and social stigmatization.Sevelius, Jae M. (June 1, 2013). "Gender Affirmation: A Framework for Conceptualizing Risk Behavior among Transgender Women of Color". ''Sex roles''. 68 (11–12): 675–689. doi:10.1007/s11199-012-0216-5. ISSN 0360-0025. PMC 3667985. PMID 23729971. Job insecurity is a risk for transgender people as well, with a 2022 U.S transgender survey finding that 11 percent of respondents were fired, laid off, forced to resign, or lost a job due to their
gender expression Gender expression (or gender presentation) is a person's behavior, mannerisms, interests, and appearance that are associated with gender in a particular cultural context, typically understood in terms of masculinity and femininity. Gender expr ...
or gender identity. Some trans people may stealth as cisgender for the sake of safety and/or security. 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. Passing and choosing whether or not to be stealth can contribute to emotional stress. A study of 24 transgender and gender expansive (TGE) physicians found that "they reported a tension between wanting to be 'stealth'... and being out because of a sense of obligation to be visible for TGE patients and colleagues." Passing can lead to a sense of dissonance with the LGBT+ community and limit in-group solidarity. Additionally, passing can result in confrontation and violence due to observers feeling tricked. DJ and transgender woman Infiniti says, "I was always upfront bout being transgender..there were several instances where men would be like, 'You were trying to trick me' ndgetting violent.”


Methods


Passing as female

Passing can involve altering the face and body to appear feminine. These alterations fall into two categories: temporary items that are applied or worn, and medical alterations. 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. Feminine clothing and accessories can be used as well. Other temporary alterations shape the body to appear more stereotypically feminine. Breast prostheses are sometimes used to create the appearance of a female chest. If the clothing being worn will reveal breast cleavage, cleavage enhancement techniques can be used if there is not sufficient breast tissue to form cleavage. 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. Tucking, the practice of hiding the
penis A penis (; : penises or penes) is a sex organ through which male and hermaphrodite animals expel semen during copulation (zoology), copulation, and through which male placental mammals and marsupials also Urination, urinate. The term ''pen ...
and testicles so that they are not visible through tight clothing, can further contribute to passing as female.Coleman, Eli, et al. "Standards of care for the health of transsexual, transgender, and gender-nonconforming people, version 7." International journal of transgenderism 13.4 (2012): 165-232. The most effective method of tucking involves pushing the testicles up into the inguinal canal. Once this is done, the penis is pulled back between the legs and a tight pair of panties, a gaff, or another tight garment is then worn on top to hold everything in place. Tucking is often utilized when wearing more revealing clothing such as leggings or swimwear. For those who have not undergone or do not want to undergo sex reassignment surgery, the penile crotch protrusion (sometimes known by the slang terms ''moose knuckle'' or ''bulge'') can be a sign of their birth sex. 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. For more permanent bodily changes cosmetic surgeries can be used. Cosmetic surgery procedures often used by transgender women include breast augmentation, liposuction and buttock augmentation, in addition to facial feminization surgery (FFS). FFS is not necessarily one individual procedure, but often many different procedures performed at the same time. FFS includes many procedures a patient can choose, such as
rhinoplasty Rhinoplasty (, nose + , to shape), commonly called nose job, medically called nasal reconstruction, is a plastic surgery procedure for altering and reconstructing the human nose, nose. There are two types of plastic surgery used – plastic sur ...
, brow lift, jaw reduction, chin augmentation, cheek implantation and lip augmentation. Passing typically involves changes in the person’s voice as well. Cisgender women typically speak with an average
fundamental frequency The fundamental frequency, often referred to simply as the ''fundamental'' (abbreviated as 0 or 1 ), is defined as the lowest frequency of a Periodic signal, periodic waveform. In music, the fundamental is the musical pitch (music), pitch of a n ...
of 165–255 Hz (E3–C4), while cisgender men typically speak in a fundamental frequency range of 85–155 Hz (F2–D3). In addition, the timbre of a male voice is typically different from that of a female one. This is due to male puberty typically enlarging the vocal cords,
larynx The larynx (), commonly called the voice box, is an organ (anatomy), organ in the top of the neck involved in breathing, producing sound and protecting the trachea against food aspiration. The opening of larynx into pharynx known as the laryngeal ...
, and sinus cavities. These changes are typically not reversible without voice feminization surgery, such as cricothyroid approximation or Wendler glottoplasty, as the changes of male puberty on the vocal tract cannot be undone with feminizing hormone therapy. Many transgender women are successful at feminizing their voice through self-training or transgender voice therapy.


Passing as male

For transgender men, drag kings, or any person trying to pass as male, this may include binding the breasts to create a flat-chested appearance, getting a short haircut, taking on a more masculine demeanor, and wearing masculine clothing. Baggy or loose clothing is usually preferred because it hides characteristics like breasts and rounded hips. Packing creates the appearance of having a penis through stuffing objects in one's crotch region. This appearance is sought out in order to pass while wearing varied clothing styles, particularly more revealing clothing, to achieve the appearance of a crotch protrusion, sometimes called a ''bulge''. This is done on a daily basis for transgender men, sometimes for their entire lives; for other transgender men or cross-dressing women, packing is done on an as-needed basis for reasons including personal comfort and for drag performances. Types of packers include soft packers, stand-to-pee packers, 3-in-1 packers, and pack and plays. Soft packers serve only to create the look of a bulge, and stand-to-pee packers enable the wearer to urinate while standing. Pack and plays, otherwise known as 2-in-1 packers, serve the additional purpose of sexual use and 3-in-1 packers accommodate both sexual use and standing urination. Packers are held in place with tight underwear, harnesses, or fabric pouches with Velcro to adhere to underwear. Some prosthetic packers can stay in place using surgical glue as well. Another common part of passing is chest binding to flatten one's chest. This is done with commercial binders, sports bras, or other compression athletic wear. Other methods such as duct tape, elastic bandages (such as "Ace" brand bandages), and plastic wrap are advised against due to their ability to restrict blood flow and breathing as well as damage skin.Sarah Peitzmeier, Ivy Gardner, Jamie Weinand, Alexandra Corbet & Kimberlynn Acevedo (2017) Health impact of chest binding among transgender adults: a community-engaged, cross-sectional study, Culture, Health & Sexuality, 19:1, 64-75, DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2016.1191675 It is also advised to take days off from wearing a binder when possible, wear properly sized binders, avoid sleeping in binders, and avoid wearing binders for more than 8 hours per day. Masculinizing hormone therapy can contribute to a more male presentation by creating a more masculine physique and lowering one's voice. Transgender men undergoing cross-sex hormone therapy develop a more masculine body fat distribution and reduced hip circumference. Testosterone therapy lengthens the vocal tract and reduces
fundamental frequency The fundamental frequency, often referred to simply as the ''fundamental'' (abbreviated as 0 or 1 ), is defined as the lowest frequency of a Periodic signal, periodic waveform. In music, the fundamental is the musical pitch (music), pitch of a n ...
when speaking. If this does not bring the voice into a passable speaking range, transgender voice therapy and voice masculinizing surgery are available.


History

Historically, there have been circumstances wherein people have impersonated the opposite sex for reasons other than gender identity. The most common reasons for women disguising themselves as men – often called "Passing Women" – were so that they could go into battle as soldiers, or in order to work in male-dominated professions that would not hire women.


Wartime

Reports exist of women passing as men in both the
American Revolutionary War The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years of the broader American Revolution, in which Am ...
and the
American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...
. Examples include Mary Anne Talbot and Hannah Snell. 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. A Spaniard named Eleno de Céspedes began identifying as and dressing as a man. After a first failed attempt, he was accepted into the army to then serve for several years successfully.
Catalina de Erauso Antonio de Erauso, born as Catalina de Erauso (in Spanish language, Spanish) (San Sebastián, Spain, 1585 or 15921592 according to the baptismal record; 1585, according to sources including the supposed autobiography. See . — Cuetlaxtla near Or ...
was a Spanish woman, originally a nun, who grew increasingly dissatisfied with religious life and in turn decided to dress as a man and flee to a new life. Joining the army a few years later, she did remarkably well in the military. 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." She reportedly earned a reputation of "courage and daring" while involved in campaigns. Outside of combat she was known to cause trouble frequently. 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. Her female identity was revealed later in life, yet she maintained her masculine appearance until her death. Hannah Gray was a part of the British army under the name James Gray. Due to various circumstances and issues regarding the reveal of her gender Hannah eventually ended up joining the marines instead. She was noted to have "proved to be not only a brave warrior but a good drinking companion as well and was accepted by her mates as a man", engaging in the construct of masculinity and doing successful masculine gender.


Working-class passing women

In '' Stone Butch Blues'', Leslie Feinberg wrote about working class, butch
lesbian A lesbian is a homosexual woman or girl. The word is also used for women in relation to their sexual identity or sexual behavior, regardless of sexual orientation, or as an adjective to characterize or associate nouns with female homosexu ...
s in the 1960s who chose to pass as men in order to find jobs that would enable them to support their families. Feinberg, Leslie (1993) '' Stone Butch Blues,'' San Francisco: Firebrand Books. While the 1993 novel is fiction, there are females, including Feinberg, who took testosterone in this era for these reasons. Factory jobs, in particular, usually only paid men a living wage that could also support a partner and children. Some of these passing women later identified as transgender men, while others stopped taking hormones and returned to a butch female presentation once gains made by feminists allowed for better employment opportunities.''Violence and the body: race, gender, and the state''
Arturo J. Aldama; Indiana University Press, 2003; .
Omnigender: A trans-religious approach
Virginia R. Mollenkott, Pilgrim Press, 2001; .
Gay & lesbian literature, Volume 2
Sharon Malinowski, Tom Pendergast, Sara Pendergast; St. James Press, 1998; .


Upper-class passing men

Cases of male impersonation by women appear to be more historically common than those of female impersonation of men. Outside of artistic expression, men who attempt to pass as women are not only less common but less socially accepted as a result. 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".


Musicians

American band leader Billy Tipton had a successful career as a
jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...
musician from the 1930s through the 1970s and was from the conservative Midwest. The world at large only discovered Tipton was
assigned female at birth Sex assignment (also known as gender assignment) is the discernment of an infant's sex, typically made at birth based on an examination of the baby's external genitalia by a healthcare provider such as a midwife, nurse, or physician. In the ...
after his death. To maintain anonymity while in
Bahrain Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in West Asia. Situated on the Persian Gulf, it comprises a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and an additional 33 artificial islands, centered on Bahrain Island, which mak ...
,
Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Michael Jackson, one of the most culturally significan ...
wore women's clothes when out in public.


Modern context

In the context of gender, passing refers to transgender people being perceived as the gender they identify as and/or being perceived as cisgender. Passing can be important for mental health and, for some transgender people, their safety. Other transgender people, including
non-binary Non-binary or genderqueer Gender identity, gender identities are those that are outside the male/female gender binary. Non-binary identities often fall under the transgender umbrella since non-binary people typically identify with a gende ...
people, have different attitudes towards passing. For example, they might not try to pass at all, they may engage in
genderfuck A gender bender is a person who dresses up and presents themselves in a way that defies societal expectations of their gender, especially as the opposite sex. Bending expected gender roles may also be called a genderfuck. The concept of gende ...
(sending consciously mixed signals), or they might be able to pass, but do not hide the fact that they are transgender. Personal views on passing and the desire or need to pass are independent of whether an individual has had medical treatment or has legally changed their gender.


Controversy

The term ''passing'' is widely used within the transgender community, but is also a subject of debate within the same community due to its perceived implication of dishonesty or deception. Trans writer
Janet Mock Janet Mock (born March 10, 1983) is an American writer, television producer, and transgender rights activist. Her debut book, the memoir '' Redefining Realness'', became a ''New York Times'' bestseller. She is a contributing editor for ''Marie ...
says that the term is "based on an assumption that trans people are passing as something that we are not" and that, in reality, a trans woman who is perceived as a woman "isn't ''passing''; she is merely ''being''". The
GLAAD GLAAD () is an American non-governmental media monitoring organization. Originally founded as a protest against defamatory coverage of gay and lesbian demographics and their portrayals in the media and entertainment industries, it has since ...
Media Guide advises that "it is not appropriate" for mainstream media to use the term ''passing'' except in direct quotes. GLAAD instead recommends using a phrase such as "not perceived as transgender".


See also

*
Closeted ''Closeted'' and ''in the closet'' are metaphors for LGBTQ people who have not disclosed their sexual orientation or gender identity and aspects thereof, including sexual identity and sexual behavior. This metaphor is associated and sometime ...
*
Gender expression Gender expression (or gender presentation) is a person's behavior, mannerisms, interests, and appearance that are associated with gender in a particular cultural context, typically understood in terms of masculinity and femininity. Gender expr ...
*
Outline of transgender topics The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to transgender topics. The term "transgender" is multi-faceted and complex, especially where consensual and precise definitions have not yet been reached. While often the be ...
* Mimicry#Inter-sexual mimicry *
Minority stress Minority stress describes high levels of stress faced by members of stigmatized minority groups. It may be caused by a number of factors, including poor social support and low socioeconomic status; well understood causes of minority stress are ...
*
Passing (racial identity) In the United States of America, racial passing occurred when a person who was categorized as Black in regard to their race in the United States of America, sought to be accepted or perceived (" to pass") as a member of another racial group, u ...
*
Pronoun game "Playing the pronoun game" is the act of concealing sexual orientation in conversation by not using a gender-specific pronoun for a partner or a lover, which would reveal the sexual orientation of the person speaking. Someone may employ the prono ...
*
Sexism Sexism is prejudice or discrimination based on one's sex or gender. Sexism can affect anyone, but primarily affects women and girls. It has been linked to gender roles and stereotypes, and may include the belief that one sex or gender is int ...
*
Social construction of gender The social construction of gender is a theory in the humanities and social sciences about the manifestation of cultural origins, mechanisms, and corollaries of gender perception and expression in the context of interpersonal and group social inter ...


References


External links

* {{crossdressing footer Cross-dressing Gender transition Passing (sociology)