I have a new article for The Breast Form Store!
This piece focuses on the online interactions I have with men. Spoiler alert! They are usually not pleasant.
When I write about this topic, I often get emails from other girls telling me that posting risque photos invites this kind of behavior. The most common thing they say is “well, you post lingerie photos, what did you expect?”.
This comment, to be honest, really annoys me. While it’s true that most men I interact with seem to think that what a girl wears is an indication as to how they should speak to her, I feel that the comment, in a way, excuses them. What a girl wears, in public or in a photo, does not ever justify how a man should speak to her.
I feel that men should be gentlemen, full stop. I don’t expect much from men, if I am being honest. I know that posting pictures will invite certain comments from them. I feel that saying things like “you post lingerie photos, what did you expect?” takes away a little of the accountability of a man’s action and in a way, justifies it to some degree.
Also, it’s not just lingerie pictures. I get explicit comments on a variety of outfits. A cute dress has “earned” comments from men speculating what I am wearing UNDER the dress. Pictures of the heels I am wearing have generated comments from men begging me to, uh, kick them between their legs.
No matter what a girl wears, there’s always a guy who will sexualize it.
I think we have normalized this behavior from men. Just because we expect it doesn’t mean we should ever let it slide.
Love, Hannah
Hannah McKnight 
Reading your article made me think of something I learned in a history class in high school. My history teacher, Mr. Kelly, was telling us a story about… something he did. I have no idea what the point of his story was. But in the middle of it he said, “I was walking down the sidewalk after dark and saw a woman coming towards me from the other direction. So I crossed the street.” I interrupted him and asked why he crossed the street. He stopped and sighed and said, “Because I am a large man and she was alone. Because she didnt know if i was safe to walk past, and it was easy for me to remove that worry for her. And you,” he pointed to all of the boys in the class, “should all do that too.” I have never and will never forget that. I have crossed the street before, and I will again. And I’ve made friends cross the street with me.
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you are so right hannah
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It truly is a sad part of our culture that things such as this do become sexualized
We seem to just accept it.
Trans girls have it so much worse I think to because they seem like an easy target
It’s truly sad indeed
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One small comment: using the word “invite” in this context is wrong. Using “invite” presupposes intention on the part of the poster, which is not necessarily there (and definitely isn’t in Hannah’s case). Sadly, we might expect such pics to “generate” a lewd response, but the fault lies solely with the people crass enough to say such things. Sorry to be pedantic, but words matter.
Amanda Hawkins
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Women are not much different with respect to the overtly handsome man. Example while conversing in a lunchroom about seeing old tv shows never seen by a younger generation. The show ER was mentioned and a remark about George Clooney brings a ahh from a chorus of women… The handsome 20-year-old guy in tight jeans and a winning smile brings out a commentary from a lustful woman to another woman around her when said subject is within ear shot.
Bingo ladies with a young handsome host will cat call to the point of intimidation. These are behaviors I have witnessed from the fairer sex in a workplace, and a bingo hall. Men are not the only one capable of sexual conduct. Welcome to the jungle.
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The inter web, unfortunately, makes boorish behavior possible without consequence. Yes, many individuals may have an instinctive, sexualized response to lingerie, but the anonymity of this medium has given some of these people license to express thoughts that they, at best, should keep to themselves.
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I agree that it is almost totally accepted today that men will only be after one thing when they encounter a woman and that is such a shame. When i was growing up a long time ago most of the young boys and men in my area were taught to respect woman and girls as they were not to be objects for abuse or illicit use.
As I aged and started working and traveling for my job I used to go out in many different towns and was always treated with respect. Granted i was not in the average bar and what ever eating establishment I was at was usually in the upper end of the spectrum so I did not have to worry too much.
I did learn to ask to be guided back to my car at end of the evening or i also learned to carry my keys with one of them extended thru my fingers to use as necessary should there be a requirement. After all heels always sound different and many times the noise is all it takes for a predator.
Sure wish we could go back to the times when we were respected as ladies and allowed to be ourselves although many of todays younger female may think totally different.
Hope all who read this have had a great day.
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Well,
If you read comment on girly pages they frequently say how such and such an item of closing is SEXY or makes them feel that way.
Well if so it implies that males will react and writing or saying something is what is expected, other wise what is the point?
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Hannah,
I confess I am a fan of your writings and your photos. You make cross dressing a respectable activity for men like me- a part-time cross-dresser for over thirty years. I have never had surgery or taken hormones. I have read many books by cross dressers, gender crossers and people who simply have questions about gender identity. Because you maintain a very even attitude and recognize the variety of expressions in the gender area. AND because you try to experience some of them yourself and comment on the experience I find your writing valuable. Thank you for being you and thank you for taking the time to write.
Pippin ( Tom )
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