Piercings and Passing

[Jishwa]

Hi! 

So, this can be completely open to any discussion about piercings and passing but this is also just a little ask for help.

So, the pic is of me as of now. I'm dying my hair bright blue today. 

I want to get a piercing very bad for various reasons. I like them, I feel like they're a great way to express myself, I've always wanted one, it'd make me feel more masculine, etc. However, the piercings I'm considering, I'm worried might make me look more feminine. I struggle a lot with gender dysphoria and I would really hate having to take out my piercings because of it.

Currently, I'm considering spiderbites, snakebites, and a lower left lip ring (Diagram given for the spider and snakebites for your convinience). I was wondering if these might make me look more feminine or even prevent me from passing? Do you think gendering of piercings is a thing?

Thank you in advance!

~ Josh

[Dev]

From the diagram, if I were forced to choose based on "masculine" appearance, I'd go for the shark bites.  That being said, I've never viewed piercings as indicative of gender.  I know a lot of society sees ear piercings as feminine, but I've seen men, women, and non-binary folks with facial piercings of all types.

 

What it comes down to is what you think will look best on you.  It's your body, so any modifications to it should, first and foremost, make you happy.  Forget what anyone else thinks.

[Jennylynn]

I personally rocked the lebret piercing for a long time when I identified as male. Never got questions on it. Piercing is solie a matter of personal preference. My nose piercing now makes me feel more feminine. My opinion is do what makes you happy honey. 

 

Hugs

Jenny

[Lizzie McTrucker]

Well I'm glad you asked! I did a little looking around online (as I'm sure you have), and I saw guys with piercings you want, and girls with piercings you want. Some of the guys from the band Good Charlotte have piercings and they certainly don't look female. The drummer from Blink-182 has a ring right in the center of his bottom lip, which I've seen women do as well, and I have no doubt he looks male.

 

I know it's not up to me, but if I were to choose a piercing for you, I'd go with a spider bite.

 

Do I think piercings are gendered? Yes and no. While piercings themselves are not gendered, I have seen certain piercings on women more than men...like a monroe or a smiley, and while I have seen women with a labret piercing (I still have the hole from mine), I tend to see those more on guys. Oh! And there certainly are some ear piercings that tend to be more female-oriented, based on which part is pierced, but it also depends on the jewelry worn as well. 

 

As a friend of mine told me: do what makes you happy!

(I was on the fence about getting some pink capture bead rings for my 2nd and 3rd earring holes when she told me this)

[Briana]

I did my ears long before i presented as me.  I'm sure some commented, eye-rolled, "wondered" etc. but I never had a problem...except at work.  We had some odd dress code policies that were very gender specific and always bubbling up in the "issues bucket."  ugh  These days, we all see all kinds of piercings on all kinds of people.  There's still a lot of crazy dress code policies out there that employers use that address various piercings and hair colors so if you're working, check those so you you don't run into issues.  In the end, I like what Lizzie's friend said - do what makes you happy!

[Gwen]

7 hours ago, Lizzie McTrucker said:

I know it's not up to me, but if I were to choose a piercing for you, I'd go with a spider bite.

I tend to agree with Lizzie. I get a much more feminine vibe with this than with the other options. Something to consider though: the piercings will take a very long time to heal in your mouth area. Be prepared for the long period of self-care and inconvenience.

That said, the piercings with your wonderful new blue hair should create a distinctive, cute and creative new look

 

Gwen

[Guest Rachel Gia]

Tough call as I don't think piercings are specifically gendered anymore.

The actual jewelry can be more male or female though.

I wear way more piercings then most MTFs or Cis women but I just like them.

Piercings can be addictive and I have to pace myself and the people I talk to who are like me say the same thing.

Express yourself and it probably won't be your last so just go for it!

Finding a good salon is important as you go along.

I just started up a relationship with a new one on Wednesday. I am really happy and its not such a production line as the mainstream types. More expensive however>

Way more personal and caring.

I like titanium or stainless but have no experience with with zirconium.

In short , find a place that takes their time and you feel you can continue having a relationship with.

 

[Lizzie McTrucker]

15 hours ago, Rachel Gia said:

I like titanium or stainless but have no experience with with zirconium.

 

I'll second this. Most of my piercings were originally stainless steel and I just did a body jewelry overhaul, swapping out anything stainless steel for titanium, which is hypoallergenic and lighter than stainless steel. Can't really feel a difference except for my tongue bar which feels a little lighter, so I appreciate that.

 

This place I bought body jewelry from has a huge assortment of jewelry, so once yours is healed and it's safe to switch it out, you could probably find some titanium rings in really awesome colors to add flair and personality to your piercings.