I'd just like some perspectives on the issue, because I've been considering buying a packer. What do you like about it? Do you find it improves your dysphoria? Is there a noticeable passing difference? How did your expectations meet reality?
Why did you buy a packer and what makes you continue to wear it?
09/05/2012
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I've just recently bought a packer and it was because I started getting closer to people at school and I've actually caught someone staring at my crotch when I was wearing tight pants so that was a bit anxiety inducing D:.
Also, I've been told in the past that I have a very feminine walk so I'm hoping wearing a packer while walking around will perhaps correct that.
You may find some of these articles posted by artoftransliness useful link
I didn't realize THAT'S how you're supposed to pack with a sock D:. Either way, if I was going out somewhere where I knew people would be in contact with my crotch, I think I'd be way less anxious/dysphoric if I was packing with a packer.
Also, I've been told in the past that I have a very feminine walk so I'm hoping wearing a packer while walking around will perhaps correct that.
You may find some of these articles posted by artoftransliness useful link
I didn't realize THAT'S how you're supposed to pack with a sock D:. Either way, if I was going out somewhere where I knew people would be in contact with my crotch, I think I'd be way less anxious/dysphoric if I was packing with a packer.
09/05/2012
I know I'm not the target demographic for this post, but I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in, hopefully without offending anyone. I'm a female, in every sense, but I perform as a drag king on a regular basis. I'm really very, very girly except when I'm performing. Early in my drag career, packing (I use socks), even when my costume wouldn't show it, became a VERY important part of my ritual to get into character. It changes my gate, posture, carriage, and mentally helps that male persona click into place. I know I'm ACTING instead of LIVING it, and that trans men aren't in drag, and I know there's a huge difference. Trust, I have a lot of respect for trans folks. But I figure if my "schlock" as most of us affectionately refer to our packing socks, can help femmy femmy me who has never wanted to have a real cock in any sense feel manly and help me find that gate and posture, surely someone who actually is MALE would find it to have an even greater impact. I find that if I go on stage without my package, I feel naked and awkward and, just, OFF, even if it's a costume where the packing won't show. I think I'd feel the same if any part of my character wasn't in place. I need to be fully bound and have my face shaded and facial hair on, my real hair slicked and tied back, boy clothes on, boy underwear on, packer in place. If any of those things is missing, I feel weird. Half-drag happens sometimes when travelling between a show and I NEVER feel as uncomfortable as when I've got my face shading on and I'm bound but don't have my boy clothes on, or have my face and clothes done but I'm not bound yet. So, anyway, based on my experience as a king, I can only assume that packing would just be another one of those pieces that would help a trans guy feel a little more put together. Again, not trying to say it's the same thing or that I know what it's like, because I don't. Just offering my rather disconnected and distant experience as insight from a different perspective.
09/05/2012
Quote:
Very valuable, thank you!
Originally posted by
charletnarouh
I know I'm not the target demographic for this post, but I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in, hopefully without offending anyone. I'm a female, in every sense, but I perform as a drag king on a regular basis. I'm really very, very girly
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I know I'm not the target demographic for this post, but I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in, hopefully without offending anyone. I'm a female, in every sense, but I perform as a drag king on a regular basis. I'm really very, very girly except when I'm performing. Early in my drag career, packing (I use socks), even when my costume wouldn't show it, became a VERY important part of my ritual to get into character. It changes my gate, posture, carriage, and mentally helps that male persona click into place. I know I'm ACTING instead of LIVING it, and that trans men aren't in drag, and I know there's a huge difference. Trust, I have a lot of respect for trans folks. But I figure if my "schlock" as most of us affectionately refer to our packing socks, can help femmy femmy me who has never wanted to have a real cock in any sense feel manly and help me find that gate and posture, surely someone who actually is MALE would find it to have an even greater impact. I find that if I go on stage without my package, I feel naked and awkward and, just, OFF, even if it's a costume where the packing won't show. I think I'd feel the same if any part of my character wasn't in place. I need to be fully bound and have my face shaded and facial hair on, my real hair slicked and tied back, boy clothes on, boy underwear on, packer in place. If any of those things is missing, I feel weird. Half-drag happens sometimes when travelling between a show and I NEVER feel as uncomfortable as when I've got my face shading on and I'm bound but don't have my boy clothes on, or have my face and clothes done but I'm not bound yet. So, anyway, based on my experience as a king, I can only assume that packing would just be another one of those pieces that would help a trans guy feel a little more put together. Again, not trying to say it's the same thing or that I know what it's like, because I don't. Just offering my rather disconnected and distant experience as insight from a different perspective.
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09/07/2012
Quote:
Woo! Great resource! Thank you!
Originally posted by
sodapin
I've just recently bought a packer and it was because I started getting closer to people at school and I've actually caught someone staring at my crotch when I was wearing tight pants so that was a bit anxiety inducing D:.
Also, ... more
Also, ... more
I've just recently bought a packer and it was because I started getting closer to people at school and I've actually caught someone staring at my crotch when I was wearing tight pants so that was a bit anxiety inducing D:.
Also, I've been told in the past that I have a very feminine walk so I'm hoping wearing a packer while walking around will perhaps correct that.
You may find some of these articles posted by artoftransliness useful link
I didn't realize THAT'S how you're supposed to pack with a sock D:. Either way, if I was going out somewhere where I knew people would be in contact with my crotch, I think I'd be way less anxious/dysphoric if I was packing with a packer. less
Also, I've been told in the past that I have a very feminine walk so I'm hoping wearing a packer while walking around will perhaps correct that.
You may find some of these articles posted by artoftransliness useful link
I didn't realize THAT'S how you're supposed to pack with a sock D:. Either way, if I was going out somewhere where I knew people would be in contact with my crotch, I think I'd be way less anxious/dysphoric if I was packing with a packer. less
09/07/2012
Quote:
I don't pack as often as I used to--mostly because my packer has seen better days--but the original reason why I bought a packer is because if felt like the last step before any medical transitioning. I felt that if I had tried that and it still wasn't enough, I could justify any further actions.
Originally posted by
xxjoel
I'd just like some perspectives on the issue, because I've been considering buying a packer. What do you like about it? Do you find it improves your dysphoria? Is there a noticeable passing difference? How did your expectations meet reality?
Beyond that, the packer helped coach me into a different weight of walking (less hip movement) and it helped me become more aware of how much space I was allowed to take up in public (general 'male' mannerisms).
The most important part was that it was something there, something solid that I could touch and adjust. I frequently have sensations that there /is/ something there. So having a packer in my pants was very comforting and feels very natural to me.
The only 'passing' difference would probably be in sheer confidence. There are some days when I pack and bind and go through excessive pains to be gendered correctly and I still get wrong pronouns. I had, I guess, hoped that just having it would make others aware of my identity. If anything, it just affirms to /myself/ who I am.
09/08/2012
I wear a packer to help myself cope with dysphoria on days when it gets intense, and often just for fun to enhance certain outfits or for sexual purposes. I didn't used to think there was much one could do sexually with a soft packer, but the ingenuity of my partners has taught me otherwise. I still wear my packer on a sporadic basis, though moving to an area with extremely hot weather has lowered the frequency a bit because having something extra in my pants makes me sweat even more.
09/09/2012
I feel like it makes me walk in a more masculine way and just makes my pants seem more... Normal and well-fitting?
09/09/2012
To be entirely honest, I bought a packer mostly for other people! Not to give it to others, but to give the hint that I'm physically male, just another tool to help passing. I don't feel as dysphoric over my downstairs as I do my chest, so I don't wear it at home. In fact I only really wear it for outings to crowded places, or places where I feel especially insecure. I do always get a nice ego boost when I wear mine though, it's definitely natural feeling to have that bulge.
09/12/2012
Total posts: 9
Unique posters: 7