The night just got awkward and they're not even at the party yet... hoo boy...
A friendly word of advice to any cisgendered people who have transgendered friends: if you ever - for whatever reason - plan on crossdressing publicly with them around, please make sure you clear it with them beforehand. While some transsexuals might be totally fine with it, others may be deeply offended. It’s wise to just make sure you know where your friends stand.
Some transfolk may view it as a mockery. It doesn't matter what their intentions really are (especially if the transperson in question is a little insecure, like Rain), it will come off like they're making fun. And of course, this IS Rudy we're talking about, so of course he's going to be acting a little over the top when they get to the party.
On top of which, the people at this party are his classmate; they know Rudy. He might pass, but he's still 100% recognizable to anyone who knows him. And there is a very interesting "phenomenon": It might be easy for one transperson to pass. But if there're two of them, it'll become more difficult to pass. And it progresses that way as more are added. The theory is that if an onlooker can read one person, they may go on to suspect other people around them. If there're enough transfolk gathered in one place, and onlooker may begin giving suspicious looks to even the cisgendered people.
To sum up, Rudy's doing this is actually dangerous to Rain's passability... and in her eyes, potentially mocking her.
@dumok @Jocelyn add in the fact Rain was his inspiration to do this and hasn't crossdressed before. He really should have told her.
It is one thing for somebody who already crossdresses to be in drag around a trans person it's another for someone to think about cross-dressing after meeting a trans person and do it around that trans person without telling them beforehand.
Heyo, first time commenting here. Found my way to this comic via TVTropes (the "Dude, she's a lesbian" trope). As a MtF myself I like to read trans comics. Although I must say this is the first one I've read with a FtM that I actually like, most of them come off as annoying. Anyways, keep up the good work!
Wisely spent my past three hours reading from start to now. Though I am subscribed to some dozen other comics, many of which are (though it's sort of the point) much funnier... I find that I do really like this one, even more so then the others. I have (multiple)gay, (multiple)lesbian, and one (known)tg friend.
Though the above information may not be relevant in telling, I must say that I do enjoy the comics in that I half understand exactly what is going on and am half learning about things I never really thought of. So thanks for the amazing series and lesson!
I seriously don't get why Rain is mad. Rudy might be gay, and maybe also andro if they want to wear girls clothes as a means of expressing themselves. I think it's perfectly fine. As a trans girl myself, I don't really know why Rain is mad. In fact, I would just tell Ruby that she looked adorable, and that I liked the costume.
I think the reason Rain is upset is that Rudy/Ruby is seems to be doing it for the funz, while for Rain it is serious. It is her life. I can understand why she might feel like Rudy is poking fun at her.
If one of my cisgender friends crossdressed for Halloween I would be offended. (I'm transgender FtM) It would feel like they're mocking me or saying it's so easy to be transgender and pass when really passing is hard. Especially if the cisgender person is doing a really exaggerated voice, then it REALLY feels like mocking.
"Since you trusted me enough to tell me that'd you're trans, it's only fair that I tell you I like to crosdress sometimes. I hope you can accept me for that"
Some transfolk may view it as a mockery. It doesn't matter what their intentions really are (especially if the transperson in question is a little insecure, like Rain), it will come off like they're making fun. And of course, this IS Rudy we're talking about, so of course he's going to be acting a little over the top when they get to the party.
On top of which, the people at this party are his classmate; they know Rudy. He might pass, but he's still 100% recognizable to anyone who knows him. And there is a very interesting "phenomenon": It might be easy for one transperson to pass. But if there're two of them, it'll become more difficult to pass. And it progresses that way as more are added. The theory is that if an onlooker can read one person, they may go on to suspect other people around them. If there're enough transfolk gathered in one place, and onlooker may begin giving suspicious looks to even the cisgendered people.
To sum up, Rudy's doing this is actually dangerous to Rain's passability... and in her eyes, potentially mocking her.
It is one thing for somebody who already crossdresses to be in drag around a trans person it's another for someone to think about cross-dressing after meeting a trans person and do it around that trans person without telling them beforehand.
Also, I think that might be the most adorable expression I've ever seen ^^
Though the above information may not be relevant in telling, I must say that I do enjoy the comics in that I half understand exactly what is going on and am half learning about things I never really thought of. So thanks for the amazing series and lesson!
isseems to be doing it for the funz, while for Rain it is serious. It is her life. I can understand why she might feel like Rudy is poking fun at her.And that's how you defuse that situation! :D