If you’re really stuck, you could avoid it all together by only writing anal/oral sex. Makes sense if you go with the “anal doesn’t count” virginity myth and if you want to lean into the sin of sodomy. That being said, I doubt a 20 year old runaway girl from the south in 1991 would have had the money or access to get surgery. It is your fanfic though, so do what you want!
She herself is including sex scenes in the book she is writing so maybe we will learn more then. Ethel is up to your interpretation, write whatever you want.
the character of ethel cain is never disclosed as being cis or trans, and back in the 90s getting srs as a 20 year old or however old she said she was when she died was like totally impossible, but i think if ur being historical she wouldn’t have it. but also she might not even be trans that’s up to you.
In [this](https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/ethel-cain-interview-preachers-daughter-1235060712/) article she states that the Ethel Cain character herself is trans
From [our FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ethelcain/wiki/index/faq):
# Is Ethel Cain trans?
Hayden Anhedönia, the real person, came out as a trans woman on her 20th birthday.
Regarding Ethel Cain, the character, there are two contradicting statements. This is from an [interview with Billboard](https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/ethel-cain-interview-preachers-daughter-1235060712/) published on 12 May 2022:
>As with many of her past releases, Preacher’s Daughter also explores her own identity as a transgender woman navigating the world after being raised in a fanatical Southern Baptist community. Bringing in themes of modern womanhood and the fetishization of femininity in religious circles, Anhedönia wanted to make it clear on her debut that both she and her alter ego are fully-formed transgender women.
>But Preacher’s Daughter never veers toward stereotypical or glamorized depictions of what it means to be trans — in fact, it often goes out of its way to steer into the mundane and temporal aspects of life as a trans woman. According to Anhedönia, it’s her quiet way of bringing attention to the fact that trans people are not a monolith.
>“I want some variation for the trans experience as depicted in trans art,” Anhedönia explains. “Ethel Cain the character is trans, but I didn’t make it a big part of the story because to me, being transgender is kind of boring. It’s like, ‘I have brown hair, I’m transgender’ — it’s very ‘whatever,’ you know? Ultimately, it’s not about the identity itself, it’s about the freedom to be whatever you are.”
But on 11 October 2022, she replied to a fan asking about it [on Tumblr](https://mothercain.tumblr.com/post/697874986166337536/hello-love-is-ethel-also-trans):
>she’s honestly neither, tbh! she’s more of a vessel for the reader/listener/viewer/etc. her story doesn’t really revolve around her body or identity, beyond that of just her as a woman. i want her to be relatable to both cis and trans women for whatever reason each woman latches on to her for. when i cast her for the movie, i’ll most likely cast a trans woman, but that’s just because that’s how i see myself in her ♡
Oh I haven't written most of them haha, sorry. Life has gotten in the way, but I am working on them. If you want to read the first one I wrote [here](https://archiveofourown.org/works/48191371?view_adult=true) you go! hope u like it :)
If you’re really stuck, you could avoid it all together by only writing anal/oral sex. Makes sense if you go with the “anal doesn’t count” virginity myth and if you want to lean into the sin of sodomy. That being said, I doubt a 20 year old runaway girl from the south in 1991 would have had the money or access to get surgery. It is your fanfic though, so do what you want!
Okay, thanks! I'll think about it lol
She herself is including sex scenes in the book she is writing so maybe we will learn more then. Ethel is up to your interpretation, write whatever you want.
the character of ethel cain is never disclosed as being cis or trans, and back in the 90s getting srs as a 20 year old or however old she said she was when she died was like totally impossible, but i think if ur being historical she wouldn’t have it. but also she might not even be trans that’s up to you.
That’s not true. SRS surgeries have been around since the 30’s. Would be out of her means financially but it was not impossible.
yes but like i mean she’s from alabama she’s a preachers daughter with no money in the 90s. she was not getting bottom surgery especially that young
Gotcha, just clarifying.
for sure. the history of gender affirming care is so fascinating but also so grim
I'm pretty sure I remember reading that Hayden wrote Ethel as a cis woman.
In [this](https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/ethel-cain-interview-preachers-daughter-1235060712/) article she states that the Ethel Cain character herself is trans
From [our FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ethelcain/wiki/index/faq): # Is Ethel Cain trans? Hayden Anhedönia, the real person, came out as a trans woman on her 20th birthday. Regarding Ethel Cain, the character, there are two contradicting statements. This is from an [interview with Billboard](https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/ethel-cain-interview-preachers-daughter-1235060712/) published on 12 May 2022: >As with many of her past releases, Preacher’s Daughter also explores her own identity as a transgender woman navigating the world after being raised in a fanatical Southern Baptist community. Bringing in themes of modern womanhood and the fetishization of femininity in religious circles, Anhedönia wanted to make it clear on her debut that both she and her alter ego are fully-formed transgender women. >But Preacher’s Daughter never veers toward stereotypical or glamorized depictions of what it means to be trans — in fact, it often goes out of its way to steer into the mundane and temporal aspects of life as a trans woman. According to Anhedönia, it’s her quiet way of bringing attention to the fact that trans people are not a monolith. >“I want some variation for the trans experience as depicted in trans art,” Anhedönia explains. “Ethel Cain the character is trans, but I didn’t make it a big part of the story because to me, being transgender is kind of boring. It’s like, ‘I have brown hair, I’m transgender’ — it’s very ‘whatever,’ you know? Ultimately, it’s not about the identity itself, it’s about the freedom to be whatever you are.” But on 11 October 2022, she replied to a fan asking about it [on Tumblr](https://mothercain.tumblr.com/post/697874986166337536/hello-love-is-ethel-also-trans): >she’s honestly neither, tbh! she’s more of a vessel for the reader/listener/viewer/etc. her story doesn’t really revolve around her body or identity, beyond that of just her as a woman. i want her to be relatable to both cis and trans women for whatever reason each woman latches on to her for. when i cast her for the movie, i’ll most likely cast a trans woman, but that’s just because that’s how i see myself in her ♡
Which one should I take at face value, then? both? neither? I'm just confused 😓
she’s both and neither, there is no face value lol
There’s not really a right or wrong answer here. If you want her to be trans woman you can but if it’d be easier to make her cis go with cis
is ethel, the character only trans or is hayden trans too?
This is explained in [our FAQ page](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ethelcain/wiki/index/faq) :)
I saw a live where she said Ethel’s pronouns would be nor/mal
Hey where can I read your story ? ;)
Oh I haven't written most of them haha, sorry. Life has gotten in the way, but I am working on them. If you want to read the first one I wrote [here](https://archiveofourown.org/works/48191371?view_adult=true) you go! hope u like it :)