#but transfems get similar backlash too. so fucking much. even if people pretend differently

[enlichened]

this is just smth I've been thinking abt lately because I've been seeing posts talking abt how transfems and transmascs often see themselves in similar/the same characters. and that it might make less sense for transmascs to see themselves in these characters because the character themself struggles with masculinity or being forced into a box.

While I do think this can be true in some cases (especially those where it REALLY wouldn't make sense with the character's backstory that they would've been allowed to transition at all) I think a lot of the time it still does make sense, because as a transmasc most of my time having come out to someone, they expect me to immediately fall into toxic masculinity or whatever it is they feel like men should be doing, and if I reject this or any part of it, I'm ungrateful. I either let them treat me that way, or I'm not man enough or aren't trying hard enough to not be misgendered. If I'm going to say I'm a man, I should at least act like it and pretend to enjoy or accept what they give me and the box that they defined.

I know transfems experience this sort of thing too, even if in different ways! I just was musing on why transmascs often relate to characters who struggle with masculinity too.