The Public Princess

Being seen is part of how it works for you, not the side-effect, the engine. You've moved past the closet (or you're trying to, hard), and the feeling of being visibly her in the world is what makes the whole practice feel real. Anonymous wouldn't be enough ; the gaze is the validation.

Being visibly her in the world isn't the side-effect for you, it's the engine that makes the whole practice land. That's a rare and beautiful fuel, and it's also one to handle with care. Country, neighbourhood, partner, employer, every dimension of safety needs to be filtered before you step out. Your bravery is real, and so is the cost of getting it wrong. Stay legible only where you can actually afford to.