Transgender and cruising?

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, MrTeddy.

I had to Google “CIS passing”: Cisgender is commonly used to refer to people who identify exclusively with the gender that they were assigned at birth.

For others, as ignorant as I:
Terminology Surrounding Gender Identity and Expression
➥ https://outrightinternational.org/co...SAAEgJ0V_D_BwE

[fourlyons]

Originally Posted by Ivory

So, I'm trans and pretty set on cruising around (circumnavigation at some point)



I know being trans is going to be an issue when cruising (even though I can pass as a woman when I feel like it, I'd rather not be at risk of sudden murder when people discover I'm trans).



So, anyone have some tips on where to avoid? Mexico from what I read is very hostile and somewhere to stay away from... and I'm guessing the same is true for a lot of places.



Any other trans cruisers around?

You mentioned Mexico, I presume because of it's reputation for Machismo. I'm not so sure it would actually be a danger. When we traveled there on our boat 20 years ago we got to spend some time with the family that owned the fuel dock in Turtle Bay. We were hanging out at their house one evening when their young adult son came out of his room to go out dancing, in full drag. The rest of the family didn't miss a beat or act self-conscious about us seeing their son doing this, he did this regularly. Not trans I know, but still it surprised me given my impression of the machismo thing and the traditional nature of Mexican culture.
I also think the fact that the locals will know you are a foreigner will help.

It's only one story I know.

Enjoy your travels.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by fourlyons

You mentioned Mexico, I presume because of it's reputation for Machismo. I'm not so sure it would actually be a danger. When we traveled there on our boat 20 years ago we got to spend some time with the family that owned the fuel dock in Turtle Bay. We were hanging out at their house one evening when their young adult son came out of his room to go out dancing, in full drag. The rest of the family didn't miss a beat or act self-conscious about us seeing their son doing this, he did this regularly. Not trans I know, but still it surprised me given my impression of the machismo thing and the traditional nature of Mexican culture.
I also think the fact that the locals will know you are a foreigner will help.

It's only one story I know.

Enjoy your travels.

Living in Central America for almost 20 years now, this is more in line with my experience. I knew a flaming trans in Belize who was accepted by the community...he went to parties in full drag...all 6'5" 250lbs of him...he was hard to miss! We had a gay male teacher in our small village in Guatemala, fully accepted. The Kuna Indians of Panama have many openly gay/trans individuals in their communities.

I know gay/trans people ashore here in Panama too.

Im sure its not always easy, but for the most part they seem to be accepted as they are by their communities.

The machismo commonly associated with latin culture can vary quite a lot from one location to another.

The typically conservative communities of Central America may not fully approve, but I dont think you will likely often be mistreated either.

The majority of the cruising community I think could care less. Ive known several openly gay cruisers.

I suggest being discrete and respectful and you will most likely receive the same in return.

[valhalla360]

I think it depends on the situation:
- Within the cruising community: As long as you aren't overbearing about it, I doubt anyone will take issue. I would be shocked to get anything worse than a grumpy old guy making a snarky comment.
- Checking in with authorities: It may be smart to dress to match your ID when dealing with them. They often hold a lot of power over you and if they feel you aren't being respectful, they can be difficult without explicitly stating a reason.
- Interacting in the general public: Research the country ahead of time (wikitravel usually has a section on it). Again, in many countries, as long as you aren't pushing & prodding people over it, most won't care. In others, it's probably best to keep a low profile about the issue and in worst case situations, avoid the country.

[boatman61]

Apart from the few countries that are obviously anti, which are generally well known (mainly fundimental Islamic) you should be fine.
Most don't give a damn what one is until one starts trying to shove it down others throats be it politics, religion or anything else.
To be respected one generally needs to be respectful.

I suppose in the Islamic world one could resort to a burka

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Apart from the few countries that are obviously anti, which are generally well known (mainly fundimental Islamic) you should be fine.

Most don't give a damn what one is until one starts trying to shove it down others throats be it politics, religion or anything else.

To be respected one generally needs to be respectful.



I suppose in the Islamic world one could resort to a burka [emoji2]

Interesting you mention Islamic fundamentalists.

Surprisingly trans seems to be more acceptable to them than gay.
I read (https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29832690) that in Iran there are a number of gays which transitioned to female due to this, including surgery.

Must be horrible to have to do that if you are gay but in the core not trans I guess.
If you are trans it's obviously a way out.

Might be that different strains of Muslims have different stances on this.

Regarding the cruising community, I feel most of us are open minded and traveled enough to not take issues.

Countries which may be difficult are mostly former eastern block and most of these are not typical cruising destinations..

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Interesting you mention Islamic fundamentalists.

Surprisingly trans seems to be more acceptable to them than gay.
I read (https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29832690) that in Iran there are a number of gays which transitioned to female due to this, including surgery.

Must be horrible to have to do that if you are gay but in the core not trans I guess.
If you are trans it's obviously a way out.

Might be that different strains of Muslims have different stances on this.

Regarding the cruising community, I feel most of us are open minded and traveled enough to not take issues.

Countries which may be difficult are mostly former eastern block and most of these are not typical cruising destinations..

Not as straightforward as your post seems to suggest... 'normal life' basically ceases to exist.
Iran
https://www.dw.com/en/how-irans-anti...isk/a-53270136
If you are gay, you're suspended by the neck from a crane.

Indonesia
https://magdalene.co/story/the-vicio...n-in-indonesia

Malaysia
https://www.hrw.org/report/2014/09/2...eople-malaysia

There are other Islamic countries where it is dangerous however searches for links throw up endless pages of links to porn sites..

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Not as straightforward as your post seems to suggest... 'normal life' basically ceases to exist.
Iran
https://www.dw.com/en/how-irans-anti...isk/a-53270136
If you are gay, you're suspended by the neck from a crane.

Indonesia
https://magdalene.co/story/the-vicio...n-in-indonesia

Malaysia
https://www.hrw.org/report/2014/09/2...eople-malaysia

There are other Islamic countries where it is dangerous however searches for links throw up endless pages of links to porn sites..

Yep, if you are gay it's the death penalty. If you are trans it's more acceptable, hence there are folks transitioning which are sacrificing their gender to live. Terrible choice to be forced to.

Agree it seems all very difficult in these countries.

[dougweibel]

Welcome to CF!

The responses you have received so far I think should give you a fair representation of how you will be received by the cruising community itself. Cruisers for the most part, with exceptions of course, are pretty accepting and welcoming bunch. I've run into a trans cruiser. Didn't realize it till she was in our cockpit having cocktails and didn't make a bit of difference when the realization was made.

One of the joys of cruising is the freedom. There is no need to make a grand plan of where you will go or to be in a hurry to go anywhere. Take your time gathering information and go where you are comfortable going. I think conventional travelers will be an equally good (w.r.t. cruisers) source of information about how you will be received by the locals, and I'd think the LGBTQ community might be the best resource for your specific question of which countries to avoid.

[Maria Sophie]

Wow, allot of friendly people here. I guess then I will be accepted too as a person born Intersex. As you may know already Intersex people are similar to LGBTQ+ people, but instead of being born with variations in sexual orientation or gender identity, Intersex people are born with variations in chromosomes and or variations in their lower sexual anatomies. And there are many Intersex variations, including the variation of being a hermaphrodite. Anyways onwards I hope to make some friends here and hopefully my soulmate some day!

I may make the big jump finally and sell my place and vehicles and buy a sailboat yacht soon! Though I am not interested in traveling anymore; did allot of that already in my life by boat, plane, etc. My plan is to live in a very rural secluded bay where I can live off the land and the ocean and live out the rest of my life in a more tranquil place!

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Ivory

So, I'm trans and pretty set on cruising around (circumnavigation at some point)



I know being trans is going to be an issue when cruising (even though I can pass as a woman when I feel like it, I'd rather not be at risk of sudden murder when people discover I'm trans).



So, anyone have some tips on where to avoid? Mexico from what I read is very hostile and somewhere to stay away from... and I'm guessing the same is true for a lot of places.



Any other trans cruisers around?

Why do you walk around with an illuminated sign denoting your sexuality ( or your religion or politics )

All this stuff is normally on the “ down low “ you’ll have no issue in any country If you do that.

[Maria Sophie]

Why do you walk around with an illuminated sign denoting your sexuality ( or your religion or politics )

All this stuff is normally on the “ down low “ you’ll have no issue in any country If you do that.

Of course that is dangerous sadly in this world we presently have for a person to publicly announce about medical anomalies. Thankfully though there are some people who are educated about us and therefore there are some safer places to be for sailing. And the more people who are educated about our existence the more it will become safe for us and be less discrimination in sailing. And in this safe forum I am looking for friends with things in common like Intersex people who sail or people who are LGBTQ+ who like sailing. Also I know there are thousands upon thousands of men and some women who like Intersex Women and also who like Transgender Women; and there are some who sail too!

[Rumrace]

Ivory your gender choice puts you in trouble in several countries. Don’t kid yourself about Southern Asia. Half the countries will kill you.
Mexico the west coast folks are really sweet bunch. You would not offend them. Yukitan and Belize not so sure. The north coast of the med no worries. Africa no way. Even Egypt with laws in place to protect lbgq community. Sorry don’t know all the letters. I can’t say you’d be safe in all commonwealth countries. There is a gay couple in just about every club. In Canada it’s none of our business who you sleep with.

[wholybee]

I expect you would be welcomed in the South Pacific, as "third gender" or "in between" is part of their ancient culture. It goes by different names in different places. "Fa’afafine" or "Rae-rae" for example. I met a number of native islanders that were trans in several countries. Very happy and friendly.

You will undoubtably make many cruiser friends as well, go ashore with them, and sail to the same ports etc. Being in an accepting and friendly group should help when you meet a bad apple.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Rumrace

Ivory your gender choice puts you in trouble in several countries. Don’t kid yourself about Southern Asia. Half the countries will kill you.
Mexico the west coast folks are really sweet bunch. You would not offend them. Yukitan and Belize not so sure. The north coast of the med no worries. Africa no way. Even Egypt with laws in place to protect lbgq community. Sorry don’t know all the letters. I can’t say you’d be safe in all commonwealth countries. There is a gay couple in just about every club. In Canada it’s none of our business who you sleep with.

Another brilliantly researched and presented tome, shame it is so full of misconceptions and BS. AGAIN.
Why don't you stick to subjects that you actually know.