Can masculine people be seen as beautiful?
Silly question I know, but this is something I’ve struggled with internally since exploring transitioning for a couple of months, thinking I should stop and continue reflecting with therapy and discussions, and being around a lot of groups that haven’t felt the most supportive of the real me growing up.
I want to be able to be able to feel seen as pretty or beautiful or other generally “feminine” compliments. I haven’t really liked being called handsome or whatever in comparison. I feel that despite not appearing too masculine (fortunately for me) and sometimes being able to be mistaken for a girl when my hair is longer, having a male physique and features makes me think I can not feel this way about myself. Heck I even think about how to me, having a bulge be slightly visible in some clothes really shouldn’t matter because it’s unfair to my body and I don’t think I should feel shame for having male parts. Other areas like having broader shoulders and a less curvy physique also are a little upsetting since they add to my mind saying “you can’t look cute.” I feel like saying this contradicts not thinking transitioning is right for me, but it’s possible to appear soft or feminine for other masculine people, so how can I do this and get my mind to unlearn these beliefs?