r/xxfitness•
smathna

Weird comments about gender: how do you respond?

So, I am a cis lesbian who prefers to build a more androgynous physique. It has taken a LONG time and a LOT of work, but I now have a lot of upper body muscle. I can do 13 pullups! My back doesn't fit into dresses! I am not huge--I am quite lean and small--but my shape is less overtly feminine than it was 15 years ago.

So, sometimes people misgender me. And sometimes weird transphobes online bully me by calling me "a man" or transphobic slurs.

I lile how I look. I did it on purpose.

How do I respond to these comments? I feel ambivalent. In part, my initial reaction is to feel flattered, in a way. It is like an accusation of using PEDs/testosterone, right? And that is a sort of compliment to a lifetime natural athlete (which I am).

But I also feel sad, because I don't like being misgendered and I really don't like being bullied or insulted.

Has anyone else dealt with feelings of this kind?

And how do you respond to transphobic people who try to "clock" you in a way that is not ALSO transphobic? And can also shut them down effectively? And does it bother anyone else that we police women's bodies so much??????

Posted May 13, 2026, 6:22 PM UTC · locked

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