Understanding: FtM Transgender

A Transman or FtM Transgender is a term that can be used to describe people whose gender identity is different from the gender they were thought to be when they were born.

“Trans” is often used as shorthand for transgender.

Some people find it difficult to understand what it means to be trans. Some assume that the person wants to be a different gender than what they were born as. But in reality in actually it is actually that they were simply born with the wrong body parts per say. It is not their fault.

Do you discriminate a person because they were born with an extra digit or a cleft palate?? Hopefully the answer is no.

So why would we discriminate a person because of them being born with the wrong genitalia and/or hormones??

Men that were born female can do many things to be who they were meant to be.

When a person begins to live according to their gender identity, rather than the sex they were born as, this time period is called transitioning.

Deciding to transition can take a lot of thought. Many transgender people risk social stigma, discrimination, and harassment.

Despite those risks, being open about one’s gender identity can be life-affirming and even life-saving.

In 2018, The HRC Foundation conducted a survey and they found that more than 50% of transgender male teens who participated in the survey reported attempting suicide in their lifetime.

It is very important to use respectful terminology, and treat transgender people as you would treat any other person. They are the same and they are equal. This includes using the name the person has asked you to call them (not their deadname) as well as the pronouns they want you to use. If you aren’t sure what pronouns a person uses, just ask politely. It is easier to ask in the beginning then have to apologize for getting it wrong.

Many transmen, can go without getting surgeries, and can go without testosterone. But some would rather have this. No matter what they choose, they are still VALID. 100%. And we should accept people for who they are. Some may transition socially, legally, and medically, some may transition only socially, and some may not do any of these.

According to Planned Parenthood the medical transitioning process may be as follows...

• hormone therapy (to create masculine characteristics such as a deeper voice, facial hair growth, muscle growth, redistribution of body fat away from hips and breasts, not getting a period, etc.)
  

• male chest reconstruction, or “top surgery” (removal of breasts and breast tissue)
  

• hysterectomy (removal of internal female reproductive organs such as the ovaries and uterus)
  

• phalloplasty (construction of a penis using skin from other parts of your body)
  

• metoidioplasty (surgery that causes your clitoris to work more like a penis, along with hormone treatment to make your clitoris grow larger)

Regardless of whether a transgender person chooses to transition and how they choose to do it, they're no more “real” than other trans people who don’t transition and no more "real" than any other person. Someone’s gender identity should always be respected no matter how they decide to transition socially or medically.

If you are transgender or think you might be just remember to make your personal safety a priority, and only do what feels safe to you. And most importantly: you’re not the first person to ask these questions about your gender identity, and you’re not alone.

If you’ve taken the time to read this article. And/or share this article, you have sought out advice on being a better Trans Ally and that to me is very admirable and very important.

Wanting to educate yourself to make a person in your life more comfortable is worth a big thank you. There is a lot of anger and hatred in the world and sometimes Allys can be pushed to their limits or be afraid to use the wrong words or do the wrong thing. Every single person behind us and in support of us is valuable. Thank you for your patience, your friendship, and your love.