I had something of a shocking experience irl when I was about 18, at something called 'FantasyFest' in Key West, Florida. I used to go every year starting at the age of 17 (my parents actually took me😂.)
I went dressed as Jesus for 4 years straight; btw- Jesus was a fantastic choice, a shit ton of people wanted photos (wound up with literally hundreds of photos--but this was when digital cameras were still pretty damn expensive, and fairly likely to get stolen while drunk), and even though underage I got free booze at a couple different bars 🤣- they'd sometimes yell over a bullhorn, something along the lines of 'Even Jesus drinks here, join us!' My 'half-giant' (just above 6'4") height, and real + long grown out facial hair greatly helped keep many from questioning me. Though I did have two guys want to fight me because I was 'insulting the lord.' 🤷♂️
Anyway, that was some of the good from it. The 'bad' experience came into play when I was trying to 'make a move'; I totally thought it was just a 'normal' (albeit a petite and small breasted) chick, and spent well over an hour chatting, light pecks and shit (just a little bit of grabbing *shudder* his ☹️ ass while chatting. I got an unwelcome surprise when it came time to more 'legit' 'fooling around.'
!!! Suddenly Jesus has discovered a 'taped down' D!!!
!!! WARNING!WARNING!WARNING!!!
DUHDUHDUH! 🤣🤣😂😅😭
Looking back logically, it COULD have been less of a huge shock, as there are is/was a higher percentage of traps/crossdressing/etc. (and just about anything else one can think of- nude except for body paint, 'professional mermaids', all kinds of other costumes, drag shows, etc.) compared to 'normal' events, but as a relatively fresh young man, it really, really, really caught me off guard 🤣
I was (still am ☹️) god damned bummed, s/he was a real damn cutie, dressed in a high quality, handmade, Tinkerbell costume. Even now, years later, it's gotta be by far the fucking sexiest Tinkerbell costume I've seen, I swear. If only it wasn't a trap...HULK WANN-ED TA SMASH 😭
Anyway, as I've matured and become much more comfortable, both with my own, and others sexuality/interests/etc. I no longer see it as a 'major issue', in manga and whatnot. Kawaii is kawaii, as long as it doesn't 'cross a line' it's still a cutie to me lol. If that makes others think I'm not 'really straight', meh, oh well, think what ya want idc what label ya use.
Having said that, irl is a different; if it has a d, it ain't really for me. Like those 'ladyboys' of some places around SEA- I'm fine with them dancing etc., if they're cute/sexy/whatever, then they are that regardless; but if they've got a d, physical contact is mostly off the table for me. At least lower body contact 🤣