Why Do You Girls Always Have A Cartoon Or Painting As Your Avatar?

[Guest AllisonD]

I'm too incompetent too upload a good picture

and probably issues of privacy and transition play a role too, for myself and others.

For example, I just started taking Hormones and am not publically a M2F altho many people know.

Also, the issue of privacy is of great concern for fear of what people might say about finding out your a transsexual.

Many people are afraid to tell their families or even friends they struggle with feelings of Gender Dysphoria.

For Example, I went to a doctor to get blood work, and live in a small town.

Now, at least 4 or 5 persons in that office have to know I'm a transsexual, and in a small town...what are the odds I won't be found out?

I don't have but one friend who accepts my condition, and almost no family contact at all. I'm not sure they really care that much as long as

they don't have to be around me.

That's my reasons for not having a real photo.

Altho, at least a few people up here have some of me.

So, maybe people are trading behind the scenes?

Cait

Of all the avatars I have seen that are not self-portraits, I like yours the best. It is striking and beautiful. I like putting a face to the name, but I can really understand wanting to be represented by this photo.

Allison

[Guest Donna Jean]

I just noticed, I've only seen maybe 3 girls that have a picture of them selves and not an picture from a cartoon or some kind of picture that someone drew/painted. I was wondering what it is with that? O.o

What are you talking about????

Mine is a REAL picture of me sitting there with my wings unfolded......Geez!

Picture was taken at a little cafe' on the south side of Columbus where I was having some lunch.....

The NERVE!

Hrumph!

Donna Jean

[Guest AllisonD]

Wow.

So much was pointed out to me in this thread that I hadn't even considered.

I'm so new to this kind of venue that I wasn't even aware of most of the considerations.

I even had to ask a much younger colleague what an avatar is! And I have never heard of anime or most of what apparently anime represents.

I am so old. And out of the loop.

I get that some women aren't comfortable with how they look (so many GW feel the same),

or with others outside of this community associating their image with thier trans feelings.

I get that a colorful, cute drawing is very cool (do we still say that?). I even get how a drawing might better represent how a person wants to present to others.

But in the end I have to side with those that said they like to have a face with the text. Somehow it makes it so much more personal, more real, friendlier.

Maybe I'm OK with posting my picture on what amounts to be worldwide view because I am out. Oh boy, am I out. Have been for decades, even when I was busily burrowing into the woodwork and trying to stay invisible (which I have done when I have been depressed). And so you have my picture and know I live in Connecticut. OK, so drop by if you want. We'll have a cocktail and chat.

How does this relate to the site rules about not revealing anything personally identifiable? Just curious. One would think your photo would be pretty personally identifiable. Well, at least those of us that always present as we are in our photos. Mine was taken after work one day when Donna snagged me to help her cousin at a photoshoot of her (the cousin's) children. I convinced Donna to sit for a shot with me. Neither she nor I prepared for the photo. This is how I look. Or did that day. The picture is the most current I have of me. I just clipped my face off the picture and shrunk it to fit the requirements of this site.

This was a really revealing thread. I am so glad I stumbled on it and read it. Lots to think about from this thread.

Allison

[Guest AllisonD]

What are you talking about????

Mine is a REAL picture of me sitting there with my wings unfolded......Geez!

Picture was taken at a little cafe' on the south side of Columbus where I was having some lunch.....

The NERVE!

Hrumph!

Donna Jean

I can vouch for Donna Jean. I was there. I was frosted she wouldn't let me in the picture with her. Likely couldn't stand the competition.

Allison

[Guest Elizabeth K]

No - there is no problem with using a real photograph rather than a cartoon. It's the member's call.

I posted my real picture after six months of HRT - but everyone missed the Anime character - it was so easliy recognized I guess when scrolling. I do have my real photos in my gallaery.

Lizzy

Here I am:

[Guest Christy.dancer]

<-- me

[Guest LightNebula]

I get that a colorful, cute drawing is very cool (do we still say that?). I even get how a drawing might better represent how a person wants to present to others.

But in the end I have to side with those that said they like to have a face with the text. Somehow it makes it so much more personal, more real, friendlier.

Maybe I'm OK with posting my picture on what amounts to be worldwide view because I am out. Oh boy, am I out. Have been for decades, even when I was busily burrowing into the woodwork and trying to stay invisible (which I have done when I have been depressed).

When you were trying to stay invisible, you should be able to understand, then, why people would rather have an anime picture as an avatar instead of a picture of themselves, right?

[Guest Angel21]

I dont like pictures of myself so i put this one in instead

[Guest Zabrak]

I have one up of me now. Until I get bored of it and want my Star Wars avatars back.

HuahuahauHUAHAUHAUHuahu....

[Guest Magan]

I am a Cartoon!

[Guest My_Genesis]

I have one up of me now. Until I get bored of it and want my Star Wars avatars back.

HuahuahauHUAHAUHAUHuahu....

...guess you get bored very easily

[Guest AllisonD]

When you were trying to stay invisible, you should be able to understand, then, why people would rather have an anime picture as an avatar instead of a picture of themselves, right?

Absolutely. Especially when I didn't feel really confident, whether I was passing or not. Also especially during those brief periods when I struggled not to follow my heart but rather to try to conform to others' (read parents') expectations. And very especially when I was actually trying to pass as male. I couldn't even face a mirror for shame & self disgust.

So yes, I get that. Boy do we carry some baggage, huh? I'm just thankful all that stress didn't make me turn out weird, you know? OK, I really am literally LOL. Me, not weird. The very idea.

Allison

[Guest LightNebula]

Absolutely. Especially when I didn't feel really confident, whether I was passing or not. Also especially during those brief periods when I struggled not to follow my heart but rather to try to conform to others' (read parents') expectations. And very especially when I was actually trying to pass as male. I couldn't even face a mirror for shame & self disgust.

So yes, I get that. Boy do we carry some baggage, huh? I'm just thankful all that stress didn't make me turn out weird, you know? OK, I really am literally LOL. Me, not weird. The very idea.

Allison

That's good (except for the struggling, conforming, mirror and stress parts).

[Guest pk_pwn]

i rarely put real pictures of me in anny posts ever. Even on Gaia online where im openly trans i dont post my picture xD

either way i think avis of anime and cartoon chareters are more fun!

[Guest Zabrak]

...guess you get bored very easily

LOL

Yeah I do. In fact I think I'll make a new Star Wars avatar tonight.

[Guest LightNebula]

Even if I could pass I'm not sure I would abandon anime avatars, although I might compromise with a cosplay pic once I can pull off a decent female character.

Same with me.

[Guest androgynous]

<= me too. well, taken in my 100% male years. Changed a bit now.

[Guest Joanna Phipps]

before my transition, I felt anime characters were a better face to my name. I didn't want people to associate me with my real life face. I imagine some people who are pre E or pre T feel the same. Just a hunch though.

It may have something to do with being RLE, where people see me daily as my proper self so I have no problem putting a picture of the real me up. I agree that on a service like this it is more about putting a face to a name than any other reason. I am pre HRT for what it's worth.

[Guest van-na]

I think avatars look cute.

Many of the members that display avatars also have pictures of themselves posted under their name on their profile.

Those that don't show their picture maybe are not comfortable showing themselves.

We all need to respect every members right to not show themselves if they no not wish to.

vanna

[Guest cjnoble71]

This may be true that they're considered easier targets - especially trans women. But women in general? Just check the stats on assault in Canada or the US, probably 2-3x higher against men than women, although women are the ones in fear about going outside after dark. Paradoxal really.

I have my real picture and don't mind it. Spot me in real life? Well, so what? I've never been assaulted since transitioning, which isn't something I can say for pre-transition (including a death threat). I'll believe my luck will continue thanks.

Hmmmm... statistically this is true, but women are more likely to victims of other violent crimes, and until recently, you have not seen a lot of female on female violence. I only have anecdotal evidence to go on, but it seems that men are more often victims of violence that they could have easily avoided just by not being confrontational about silly things like ohhhhhhh... I don't know... one's favorite football team. Whereas woman are victims of violence because they are women. "The very *friendly* person was teasing in that outfit", "shoulda just done what she was told" etc...