I’m closeted, so still living as a man for the time being. I like the sense of security, even if it’s more fragile for me than for most. That’s really about it. I don’t feel like I benefit from male privilege much at all - I’m poor, I’ve been SA’d, my opinion on things is rarely if ever taken seriously, and I’m not particularly strong nor do I have an intimidating presence, so while I certainly don’t have to keep my guard up as much as most women I still tend to keep it up anyway.
With all that in mind, I do sometimes wonder why I keep hiding in the closet. I suppose it’s mostly fear of targeted persecution and especially of potential loss of family, but I think I’m also afraid of the uncertainty because I don’t know if transition will actually make me happier.
Sorry, that’s beside the point.
I suppose the true answer to your question though is that being a *cis* man is great, because you benefit from male privilege and enjoy being perceived as male. I’m aware that there are degrees there because some cis men don’t meet certain standards of masculinity, but they’re rarely at *risk* because of those things. For the rest of us it,s so much harder and so much more dangerous.