I'm starting to have a problem that I need to solve soon. Let's just say it involves a certain leftover male appendage that I'd rather not have. I have to live with it, for now at least, and lately it has been causing problems. This is, strangely enough, a result of it's being somewhat smaller than it used to be. Yuck! I can't say more about it than that.
I may be contacting Erica Ann soon for advice on this.
Not that she has to worry about it herself, not since her surgery in September at least. Besides, Erica Ann knows a lot about all kinds of issues that I must face.
As I thought about this problem, I remembered hearing about 'tucking'. So I did a search and came up with nothing that seemed very useful, unless I wanted to... Well, never mind for now!
I found something very interesting, though, that had no more than a brief reference to tucking. It's from an essay by the writer/director of the movie "Transamerica", Duncan Tucker. (
http://www.movienet.com/transamerica.html) I've added my own comments in bold font.
A brief transsexual lexicon by Duncan Tucker
High Intensity Transsexual: Twenty people out of every million. Someone motivated to undergo the cosmetic and medical procedures necessary to change their sex. This number may be WAY too low, Duncan. Please refer to the Lynn Conway paper I site elsewhere on the EA (
632&highlight=Gender+identity+development&page=2)
Transgendered: Anyone who doesn't sit in the center of the boat.
Gender Dysphoria (aka Gender Identity Disorder, or GID): A state in which one’s anatomy does not correspond to one’s gender.
SRS: Sexual Reassignment Surgery. The cure for gender dysphoria.
MTF (Male to Female) Transsexual: A Woman made by God with a little help, from Man. An MTF transsexual is sometimes called a transwoman. I am absolutely convinced I was created by God (or some higher power) as a woman. I am loved. I am not an abomination. I do have a birth defect that could use some serious corrective action. Part of that is underway with aid from Humans (versus Duncan's 'Man')
FTM (Female to Male) Transsexual: A Man made by God with a little help, from Woman. An FTM transsexual is sometimes called a transman. Also a loved creation of God. My only problem here is I can understand why someone in a woman's body identifies as male in gender. I know why these individuals would want to correct their bodies to match their core gender identity. Emotionally, though, I just don't get it. I'm going to a lot of trouble to go the other direction!
Transpeople: Human beings who happen to be trans.
Trannie: A word best used only if you are one. If then. I'm not sure on this one, Duncan, although I know you interviewed lots of trans folks as you wrote your screenplay. It may be just me, but when I identified as gay I didn't see the point of gay guys addressing each other as 'homo' or 'fag' either. Yes, Duncan, I've read all about that stuff about pre-empting the negative language of the oppressors.
Transvestite: Clothes make the woman.
Intersexual: A person with partially or fully developed male and female sexual organs. The term “intersexual” is preferred to “hermaphrodite.” This is a much more common condition than most people realize.
Transsensual: Sexual attraction to transpeople. Although, on an emotional level, I simply cannot fathom why someone with a wonderful woman's body would want to be a man, I'd still be thrilled by the attention of any man, trans or not.
Passing: What happens when others take you for what you truly are. This is a good thing, but not essential to one's happiness as a trans person. That is, if you view 'passing' solely as looking like a natural born woman (or man). We tend to idealize what this looks like, when in fact many natal women don't look anything close to our own ideal. Similarly, many genetic males look rather feminine. Knowing who you are, feeling it in your soul, and self-confidence are the most important things. With these, people will tend to see you for the woman (or man) you are even if you are far from whatever the ideal woman (or man) looks like. Makeup helps, especially for transwomen.
Being read: What happens when they do not. I will admit it. I've been happy when told I 'pass' well. There have been times when I have not passed well, though, like when I have some obvious facial hair under strong overhead lights. This happened a few weeks ago at my eye examination. I basically said, to hell with it, I'm me no matter what the eye doctor may think. He was very polite.
G.G. (“genetic girl” or “genuine girl”): A term used by women of trans experience in referring to women of the other sort.I can live with the 'genetic girl' part, but (excuse me, Duncan) I feel entirely genuine.
Genetically Gifted: For an MTF, being of small stature, with small hands and feet, delicate features and a slender frame. For an FTM, the opposite.Again, I will fess up here. While I am probably 'genetically gifted' in some areas, I'm not in others. I would love to have fuller lips, for instance. I'm not losing sleep over not having better lips, though, nor is this keeping me at home.
Proper pronouns: Respect and metaphysics dictate the use of pronouns that correspond with the gender as which the referenced person self-identifies. A male to female transsexual woman is always “she,” never “he,” and vice versa. I have a strong suspicion that some people have a genetic predisposition toward proper pronoun usage. There are people I know who get this immediately and never get it wrong. Others, well.....perhaps some gene therapy might help. They never seem to catch on, consistently.
Tucking: A temporary measure.Duncan, some instructions would have been nice. Other than those in the next part. Does that really work? Seems kind of lame to me. I may give it a try.
How to tuck: Stand with your legs apart. Push the penis and testicles down and back, then bring the legs firmly together. Hitch up your pantyhose and reinforced girdle to bind and moor all loose objects to the pelvic hull.
Monthly nosebleeds: vicarious menstruation. I have not heard of this one before. At this point in my development, I can live without it quite easily.
Baldness: a genetic defect that can sometimes be corrected with estrogen therapy.
Baldness: a genetic gift that can sometimes be acquired with testosterone therapy.
Sexuality: Who you desire and, according to some, what you do about it. Sexuality is unrelated to gender identity. True, although I suspect there is some overlap. This idea may get me into trouble with the authorities.
Sex: Something easier to change than your sexuality.
Normal: A concept largely irrelevant to anyone’s life. It took me way too long to accept this one.
From elsewhere in this essay:
"Stealth Transsexual: A transsexual secret agent. You might be sitting next to one."
"Two Kinds of People:
1) People who think there are two kinds of people.
2) The other kind."
Let me give this some thought and I'll get back to you.