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Cross-dressing
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In the context of gender, passing is when someone is perceived as a gender they identify as or are attempting to be seen as, rather than their sex assigned at birth. Historically, this was common among women who served in occupations where women were prohibited, such as in combat roles in the military.^[1] For transgender people, it is when the person is perceived as cisgender instead of the sex they were assigned at birth.^[2]^[3] The person may, for example, be a transgender man who is perceived as a cisgender man.

The appropriateness of the term passing, and the desirability of blending into society, are both debated within the transgender community. A trans person who is perceived as cisgender may face less prejudice, harassment, and risk of violence, as well as better employment opportunities. This is sometimes termed passing privilege.^[4]

^ Fraser, Easton (2006). "Covering Sexual Disguise: Passing Women and Generic Constraint". Studies in Eighteenth-Century Culture. 35: 95–125. doi:10.1353/sec.2010.0048. ISSN 0011-3204. S2CID 145681043. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
^ Serano, Julia (October 1, 2013). Excluded: Making Feminist and Queer Movements More Inclusive. Berkeley, California: Seal Press. pp. 194–195. ISBN 978-1-58005-504-8. OCLC 978600133. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
^ Urquhart, Evan (March 30, 2017). "Why Is "Passing" Such a Controversial Subject for Trans People?". Slate Magazine. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
^ Godfrey, Chris (March 25, 2015). "Transgender Men and Women Discuss the Politics of 'Passing'". Vice.com.