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Original poster

Have you ever mistaken a woman for a man?

136 replies

Moltenpink · 18/04/2025 21:40

I’m seeing a lot on Twitter & TikTok about how the new ruling means that women will be challenged in bathrooms if they present as masculine.

I just don’t see it happening. I know women of all shapes, sizes, heights, muscle tone, haircuts. I know butch lesbians and women who have lost all their hair from chemo. I never see them as male in appearance.

Personally, I’m 6ft tall, broad shouldered, I don’t wear make up or dresses but I don’t feel like anyone would mistake me for a man.

OP posts:
Pyjamatimenow · 18/04/2025 21:58

Not to my knowledge. I like to think my radar for identifying men and women is quite well tuned.

Theunamedcat · 18/04/2025 21:57

No but my sister was accused of being a boy when she was at school she didn't develop and was tall and slim

Stepfordian · 18/04/2025 21:56

No, I once mistook a five year old
boy with long blonde hair and a fringe in a pink t-shirt and denim shorts for a girl, until he started speaking and I twigged immediately.

Original poster
Moltenpink · 18/04/2025 21:55

I do remember being mistaken for a boy when I was a young child, come to think of it. All children tend to look quite unisex for a while though

OP posts:
GoldPoster · 18/04/2025 21:55

I’ve been called sir quite a few times. I’m not deliberately trying to appear male but have short hair, no makeup and look very like my father. It doesn’t bother me and usually let it pass.

TheNightingalesStarling · 18/04/2025 21:54

I've been mistaken for a man when in army uniform in my younger years.
I look nothing like a man (long hair but worn up and reasonable sized bosom even in uniform!)

DH has been chatted up by men when wearing a dress.... while one of his female friends was presumed to be the guy. (He was on a hen party)

RhinestoneCowgirl · 18/04/2025 21:53

When I was a young adult and had short hair I sometimes got called 'sonny' by bus drivers and the like, they would usually quickly realise their mistake. I'm tall for a woman.

UkuleleRose · 18/04/2025 21:49

I have, twice. One got all bent out of shape when I politely offered her my seat on a bus. The other thought it was hilarious and we ended up chatting. [shrugging] Life goes on.

TheDefiant · 18/04/2025 21:49

I work for a charity and one of my female trustees has been mistaken for a man (in female toilets incidentally). I don’t know how anyone could ever make that mistake. She doesn’t look anything like a man.

when I was young (say 18-22ish) and had short hair and was in my military uniform I was frequently mistaken for a man.

I was incredibly slim with no boobs back then.

Original poster
Moltenpink · 18/04/2025 21:46

Bogginsthe3rd · 18/04/2025 21:43

I guess the question is, how would you know when you hadn't identified a trans woman as a man ?

I suppose my point is, I have never met a woman who I would consider to look ambiguous unless they have intended to be so (one non binary person that I met).

OP posts:
Bogginsthe3rd · 18/04/2025 21:43

I guess the question is, how would you know when you hadn't identified a trans woman as a man ?