‼️ long post alert OH BOY
Being transgender is hard, especially in countries like the US or in the Middle East, but I’m doing my best to look not at everything we risk by being transgender, openly or otherwise, but instead look at the wonderful experiences we gain. Here are some of my favorite things about being trans (I’m ftm, so some of these may be transmasc specific!):
Gender euphoria is an obvious one, but!! I’m so serious! Getting gender euphoria from tiny things especially. Taking my T shot and putting on ✨ dinosaur footprint bandaids ✨ (so boy core), my dad cutting my hair for me when it grows out too much, finding new and creative ways to bind more comfortably, and the realization that the dysphoria has finally begun to not get worse, and has instead begun to get better.
Having the experiences of two sexes! I am a man, I identify as male, but I’ve had the same experiences many young girls have all the same, and I don’t see that as a detriment! I feel like I can be so much more open minded, so much more understanding, and as someone who wants to be a therapist, being able to do that is monumental. It’s hard some days, but I like trying to embrace the “”girly”” parts of my childhood too, even though I was lucky enough to not be super confined to my past gender role as a kid by my family.
Doing things as a boy. Full stop. Baking, cooking, sewing, drawing. Doesn’t matter how simple. It is now my boy activity to do as boy. I’m not saying these are boy exclusive activities, but that they hit different when I participate in them as my preferred gender!! /pos
Being able to be gay in a relationship with men. I love my boyfriend so much, he is fantastic.
Getting to truly own my body at the end of the day and really call it “home”. Getting to mold it to fit what I love and who I am. Understanding that my old body was not a bad one, but my new one is so much more me. And I did that. Maybe I won’t make the incision when I get top surgery, but I will guide the cut, and when it’s all said and done, my body will be really and truly mine.
The journey. I love the journey. It’s not easy. Sometimes it sucks. Sometimes I wish I was just cis. But I’ve met so many wonderful people through this journey, and formed bonds that would take the weight of mountains to shatter. I’ve experienced the joys of starting HRT. Of getting my name changed. Of getting “M” on my drivers license for the first time. So many things that cis people take for granted—a deep voice, matching genitals, etc—but also things that they will never get to experience, that are exclusive to trans people. I love that my experience is unique in that way.
Giving advice to other trans individuals. Being able to tell them it will be okay. Passing forward the knowledge that was passed down to me from so many trans people and allies before me. Protecting trans kids and giving them hope.
Comparing my experiences to trans people on the other end of the spectrum! I love it when trans mascs and trans fems trade experiences. When they help each other, and laugh together, and get along. I love my MTF friends and I love so much that the girlhood that didn’t suit me makes them so, so happy. Love the girlies out there and I wish you all the femininity you desire, or masculinity if that’s more your speed! Masc women are awesome too 😎👏
Being alive in a time when, even though things aren’t perfect, I still have spaces to be myself, and still have spaces where I know I am loved. That can’t be taken for granted and can’t be forgotten, especially today.
Never forget that you are loved, if not by anyone in your life, then by ME, goddamnit. And never forget that your experience is beautiful, worthwhile, and deserves to be listened to. Even the rough patches. Especially the rough patches. But for today, If anyone else wants to share their top five or top ten or even their one positive trans experience I would love to hear. I at least could use some more positivity right now!
