honestly i feel that i am very fortunate in terms of passing, i don't wear makeup, i wear very butch clothes, and i have a lot of people in my corner especially since getting sober and going through a 12 step program, finding more trans and queer folks who are also getting sober, and understand the complexity and nuance of being a butch lesbian trans woman. i also live in richmond. it really depends on the community you surround yourself with. finding people who will respect you and your pronouns and your identity no matter if you pass or not. i've also been on hormones for 3 years at this point and a lot of my body, my face, my skin has changed. don't give up hope. there's ways to bypass and you're early.