I think a lot of us would agree that Rain still passes. But her longer hair brought her comfort and security (cis or trans, I'm sure most of us have that one personal feature we're so super proud of and would be wrecked to have to give up). So, it's safe to say her confidence is shot having it cut like this. She's not freaking out too bad so far, but keep in mind that she feels safe around everyone in this room. The fact that she spoke so peacefully to Aiken shows how comfortable she felt around him too. And it's probable that she'll feel okay around Gavin, Rudy, Maria, Chanel, and Kylie too.
But what about EVERYONE ELSE she goes to school with, classmates and teachers alike? And I'm not even talking about how they feel about her; I'm talking about how she feels about herself around them. Speaking purely for myself, that's what passing always meant. I don't give a good god damn what other people think of me (I already know I'm a woman; I don't need anyone else's approval). However, if I don't feel good about myself, the rest of my presentation is going to fall apart. In my opinion, confidence and a positive attitude has WAY more passing power than all the pretty clothes and makeup and hair styling and voice training in the world.
That's why it's important to note Emily's wording here. She's not saying, "don't worry about it." She's not even saying, "you look like a girl." She's simply reminding Rain that she IS a girl. I don't know. This could all just be me, but that was always the kind of encouragement that meant the most to me, especially when I first starting out.
@Jocelyn, I've been meaning to ask, are you a fan of/have you drawn any inspiration from Ouran High School Host Club? I sometimes get a similar vibe from Rain.
I've seen and really enjoyed Ouran High, but for some reason, I don't feel like I remember it all that well (not enough to consciously credit it for inspiring me). That said, some titles that probably have inspired me (with this kind of story) include things like His and Her Circumstances, Ranma 1/2, School Rumble and of course, Wandering Son. ^_^
I just spent my day off reading rain from the beginning. It was a lot of fun looking at all the friendships that were made. I even forgot how much of an asset I thought Gavin was. Lol:)
Introducing the new top of the line EMILY!
She'll listen to your problems, she'll be there for you, AND she'll be oblivious to the crush you obviously have on her!
In stores soon!
Pre order for 49.99 now and get a FREE additional FARA !
Available while supplies last
I can see this being like an Amiibo situation. Everyone wants an Emily, but they were all swept up by the scalpers, and now going for entirely too much money. And a Fara? Pfft! Rarest of the rare. XD
Re: confidence and attitude, I've read similar written by other trans folk as well, and I thought I understood but had NO IDEA how important it is until yesterday afternoon. A few weeks ago, I had a mental health episode and buzzed all my hair down to peach fuzz (Yeah, stupid, rash, I know. ...also funny timing given what's been happening in the comic. >.< ) As such, it totally made my day when I heard a stranger referring to me as "that girl." Maybe she just had poor eyesight, and I'm sure it had to do with my dressing assertively at the time, but _maybe_ I just read as "kinda butch," or hopefully, "maybe ace or gay or something around there." ^.^ That just totally brightened my day.
But at least we have a great author who is always positive! Being transgender was probably waaay harder before the invention of Internet, you were often alone... Being able to talk with positive transmen/women is unvaluable. ^^
To your editorial below the page, all I can say is Amen. By far the most heartfelt, most encouraging, and most confidence-restoring words have always been my little sister's reassuring me that I AM a girl, despite seemingly everyone else I know at all refusing to see anything but a boy in me (pretransition, closeted transgender angst~~)
Ever since the beginning of this story I've been truly identifying right there with Rain, much of the story resembled a surprising lot of my past/present, with unbelievable accuracy (probably because our author knows firsthandedly what we, trans people go through ^^)
I'm just really, really grateful that this story exists and I'm really carried away by it.
Also, it's also very true that if I'm not feeling like I can accept myself in the moment, I can't realisticly make myself feel like I'm able to expect anyone else to accept me either.
@Jocelyn, I've been meaning to ask, are you a fan of/have you drawn any inspiration from Ouran High School Host Club? I sometimes get a similar vibe from Rain.
I've seen and really enjoyed Ouran High, but for some reason, I don't feel like I remember it all that well (not enough to consciously credit it for inspiring me). That said, some titles that probably have inspired me (with this kind of story) include things like His and Her Circumstances, Ranma 1/2, School Rumble and of course, Wandering Son. ^_^
She'll listen to your problems, she'll be there for you, AND she'll be oblivious to the crush you obviously have on her!
In stores soon!
Pre order for 49.99 now and get a FREE additional FARA !
Available while supplies last
I can see this being like an Amiibo situation. Everyone wants an Emily, but they were all swept up by the scalpers, and now going for entirely too much money. And a Fara? Pfft! Rarest of the rare. XD
I'm glad you found it funny XD
At least that's what I'm seeing o3o
But at least we have a great author who is always positive! Being transgender was probably waaay harder before the invention of Internet, you were often alone... Being able to talk with positive transmen/women is unvaluable. ^^
Ever since the beginning of this story I've been truly identifying right there with Rain, much of the story resembled a surprising lot of my past/present, with unbelievable accuracy (probably because our author knows firsthandedly what we, trans people go through ^^)
I'm just really, really grateful that this story exists and I'm really carried away by it.
Also, it's also very true that if I'm not feeling like I can accept myself in the moment, I can't realisticly make myself feel like I'm able to expect anyone else to accept me either.