Gage's Transition Chronicles

32 year old trans dude

[introducinggage]

So I need to take a second and show off my awesome new underwear. I recently started packing with my STP full time because I finally found an STP that worked for me. These are hands down my new favorite. They are ridiculously comfortable and I love the way they make my bulge look. What’s even better is the legs don’t ride up, which is hard to find for me. And I love that the waistband says ‘man underwear’. So y’all, do yourself a favor. Quit spending $30 on ONE pair STP/packing underwear and go here: https://www.tranzwear.net/store.php/TranZwear/pg5694/home_page#.Xq-jTyUpAlQ where you can buy TWO to FOUR pairs of underwear for the same price as you could buy just ONE at other websites.

One more thing... would anyone be interested in videos on YouTube about FTM issues for those of us 30 and older? There’s a lot of trans videos on YouTube now but the majority of them are so hard to relate to because they are all so young. I wish I would have started making videos when I first started my transition, but better late than never I guess. Lately I’ve been feeling kind of down and ‘off’ with life and I feel like a lot of things are having to be put on hold because of everything going on in the world and have been thinking there’s probably a lot of guys in the same boat as me and would like to be able to talk about some of this stuff with guys that can relate. Let me know if you’re interested and also let me know what you would like to hear discussed. I’m hoping to get things going here really soon and any and all input/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Find a great selection of FTM packers, STP, packing underwear, trans, packers, STPs, Packing harnesses, binders and more,

[introducinggage]

Y’all. I can’t wait for my next trip to the beach. I know you probably can’t tell much from the picture, but it’s thanks to Den and his company @tranzwear that I will feel a little more confident the next time I make it to the sand. I ordered these board shorts and added the freeball packer insert from TranZwear and they are damn perfect. I can’t say enough good things about them. And Den truly cares about all of his customers. If y’all are ever in need of packers, underwear, board shorts, or anything at all be sure to check them out. I will be a customer for life no doubt! I promise you, you won’t be disappointed! https://www.tranzwear.net

[kelcieofsealand]

[oh-archivist]

God okay so I’m going to say this now; PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not risk your health or anyone’s in the form of getting a “cheap” binder of ebay or where ever. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE save your $4-$10 dollars for those cheap ebay ones and put it towards a gc2b binder. Or if you want an Underworks go for that but I highly suggest gc2b. They’re about $40 (with shipping) and will last you WAY longer than any cheap ebay one. They are MEANT for lasting you. I wash mine many times week, wear it daily, Wear them daily. I have two. Had them for almost a year now. But I cannot urge you enough to PLEASE save up your pennies for a PROPER SAFE binder. Binders you can breathe in, binders you can move in, binders that don’t crush your ribs, binders that are comfortable, binders that are safe.

This isn’t a safe binder:

It uses clasps and not compression.

This is a gc2b binder; made by trans people for trans people:

These binders have no clasps but uses spandex to compress you safety. 

Measure your chest before ordering to make sure you don’t get one too small or too large.

Add-on (07/16): YOU CAN BIND NO MATTER WHAT YOUR GENDER ID IS. IF YOU GOT TITTIES, AND WANT TO FLATTEN THEM??? Bind! With proper binders. Below is a copy and paste from a FTM website so that’s why it’s heavy on the transgender and FTM phrases. But you can be a cis-women, agender, non-binary, transgender! This is literally for everyone who wants to bind!

UPDATE (07/12)

I wanted to add more information on where you can buy binders and info in general about binders

You can buy binders from these sites

@gc2b-apparel​ (OPs #1 Recommendation)

@shapeshiftersinc​

http://www.f2mbinders.com/ (AKA underworks)

http://www.t-kingdom.com/

http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/index.php?language=en

http://www.danae.info/en/?___from_store=nl

http://showcase.designveronique.com/designveronique/shop/postsurgical/men-1.html

http://en.nabeshirt.com/shop/

Used Binders

If you can’t afford a binder, don’t despair! Used binders are often passed on by post-op trans men or those whose binders may no longer fit. There are a few programs available that help distribute donated second-hand binders:

In A Bind – Started in 2012, to date In a Bind has provided safe compression garments to over 1500 youth in need. Trans* masculine and genderqueer youth living anywhere in the USA can apply to receive a free binder. In a Bind depends on donations. Recently had top surgery? Go up or down a size? Find a style that works better for you? Donate those binders you’re no longer using!

Black Trans Advocacy FTM Binder Grant

MORF Binder Exchange – Since February 2011, MORF has been providing free binders to trans* masculine people in the UK and around the world. The free scheme (all you pay is the postage) has so far redistributed hundreds of binders. In 2014 alone, over 280 binders were sent out.

FTME Free Youth Binder Program – Age 24 and under only; USA only.

Replace the Ace – USA only

Big Brothers Used Binder Program – Donation required

Mazzoni Center’s Binder Recycling Program – Only for youth enrolled in P.A.C.T.S., Philadelphia.

Point 5cc Tshirt Company – Free binder with purchase of t-shirt

Come As You Are’s Binder Bucks Recycling Program – Canada only

Qmunity Binder Exchange – BC, Canada only.

Trans Fellas

Northern Ireland Binder Scheme –  Age 25 and under, N. Ireland only

morfbinders.wordpress.com

You can also try asking around for an inexpensive hand-me-down binder on one of themailing lists for trans guys or check out LiveJournal’s FTM Garage Sale and the FtM Sales, Swap, and Support group on Facebook.

How to Choose a Chest Binder

If you still remember your old bra size, you can find out your binder size by using theBra to Chest Size Converter Tool. If you don’t know your old bra size, you can measure yourself the old-fashioned way:

Take a snug measurement of the fullest part of your chest using a tape measure (best if measured while clothed) and write that number down onto a sheet of paper.

Measure underneath your chest where the crease is and write that number down as well.

Add those numbers together and divide the sum by 2. This number will differentiate your size not only from brand to brand but from binder to binder as well.

Selecting a binder brand and style can be difficult: there are so many options that it can be overwhelming! Plus, there aren’t very many reviews of binders other than those about Underworks’ and T-Kingdom’s more popular models. After buying your binder, help make the experience easier for guys in the future by contributing your review to one of the review sites listed below.

Essentially, there are two types of binders: short ones and long ones. The short ones end right at your waist. The down side of these is that if you carry some extra weight, short binders tend to roll up and act more like a bra. The long ones can be pulled down past your waist by several inches, however it’s inevitable that it will still roll up. To reduce the chances of this, wear a belt. Choosing between a short and long binder has more to do with your body type, specifically your abdomen, and not your chest size.

Lastly, consider the location of the company you’re buying from. Buying from a company that’s closer to you can save you a significant amount of money on shipping costs.

How to Put On a Chest Binder

It might seem silly, but you’re probably going to need some help figuring out how to put on your new binder, particularly if you purchased one of the longer styles.

Put your binder inside out and upside down.

Step into your binder and pull the bottom of it up, ideally to your belt line. The binder should still be inside out and upside down.

Use the sleeves as handles to pull the top of the binder (the end closer to your feet) up to your shoulders.

Put your arms through the sleeve holes and adjust your chest to your needs. You may need to pull the bottom of the binder out from underneath itself if you don’t want it folded under. For others, leaving it folded under may help stop the binder from rolling up.

Don’t be disappointed if you look in the mirror and it looks like you have one big boob in the middle of your chest. You just need to adjust your chest. Reach in from the neck hole and push your chesticles down and out. You’re basically pushing your nipple toward your armpit to achieve the flattest looking chest possible.

FTM Chest Binding Tips

Very important: When binding, you should not by any means feel as though you can’t breathe or like you’re going to pass out from a lack of oxygen.

Binders aren’t the most comfortable things in the world. To make binding more comfortable, and to reduce the possibility of the binder moving around a bit, some guys wear a light shirt underneath.

Depending on the size of your chest, you may need to layer clothing on top of the binder to get optimal chest flattening. You’ll find that some of the shirts in your closet require you to layer more than shirts in your wardrobe.

You can swim in your binder. Just wear a sleeveless or sleeved T-shirt over it. Don’t worry if your binder seems less effective after a swim, this isn’t permanent. Simply wash it and it will go back to normal.

Your chest will look bigger than it really is when you look down at it. Check in the mirror for a more accurate side view.

Not all binders breathe well, and the reality is that you’re probably going to get hot. If you’ve already started testosterone, you’re definitely going to sweat. The build up of sweat can irritate your skin causing rashes and sores. Wearing a thin cotton shirt that breathes well underneath your binder may help prevent this. If you find this uncomfortable, try applying corn starch to your body before putting on your binder to help keep it from holding in moisture. If you’ve already experienced skin irritation of some sort, take care of it the same way you would an open wound. Washing the irritated area with anti-bacterial soap will keep it clean and help it heal faster.

Conclusion

Chest binding, as cumbersome as it may seem, can be very freeing for transgender men. There’s a plethora of quality FTM chest binding products available for body types of all shapes and sizes. Regardless of what you use for binding, please remember to put your health first. Now that you’re armed with all the information you need to find the right binder for you, go forth and feel more comfortable in your skin!

FTM Chest Binder Reviews

Chest Binder Reviews Site: Written reviews of various chest binding products. Binders are rated for effectiveness, comfort, and discreetness.

Binder Reviews’ YouTube Collab Channel: This is a collab channel dedicated to providing reviews of a wide variety of chest binders on different sizes and shapes of people.

(Note: These sites are no longer updated.)

More FTM Chest Binding Resources

Binding Safely for Your Body: Tips for All Body Types and Sizes

The 6 Best Tips for Binding in the Summer

Hudson’s Guide to FTM Binding: Includes a complete list of other products you can use for chest binding, such as compression garments and sports bras.

FYI Binding Tips: The Butchelor has some useful tips on how to put on a binder, how to keep it from rolling up, and how to wash a binder.

Do you have any tips about binding? Want to share your experience with a particular binder brand or model? Do you know of other binder manufacturers, particularly those outside of Asia and the US? Please leave your comments below.

Last updated: 07/29/17

[awarew0lf]

ATTENTION TRANS PEOPLE

if you are looking for a name change but cant afford the basically $400 like most people then go to your local court house and ask for an “indigent form” that form you will state that you cant afford to change your name. so then it will be free if very little.

feel free to add to this if other states have any more information

[awarew0lf]

ATTENTION TRANS PEOPLE

if you are looking for a name change but cant afford the basically $400 like most people then go to your local court house and ask for an “indigent form” that form you will state that you cant afford to change your name. so then it will be free if very little.

feel free to add to this if other states have any more information

[seethestarsablaze]

Landon told me to do this so when I went to the county clerks office I asked for a fee waiver, I had to go to the law library to get the right paperwork then filled out my income and my monthly expenses and they waived my $290 court fee. I still had to pay for the notary and fingerprints and whatnot before all that but it ended up being around $50 total rather than $300+ definitely look into it if you need some financial help with this process!

Additionally this link had all the info for name changes in TX that I needed: http://www.transequality.org/documents/state/texas

(I think you can go on that site and select other states as well so it should be helpful!)

[disgender-fashion]

I know this isn’t exactly fashion but I like rebloging other resources for you lovelies too.

[rainbow-lizzard]

Yo, a friend of mine made an amazing list about imortant and historical trans men!

♡

A list of historical (and some recent) trans men since everyone likes to ignore the fact that we did in fact exist before Chaz Bono came out

(TW: transphobia, obviously, and r*pe)

• Hatshepsut (1479 - 1458 BC) Hatshepsut was a female Egyptian pharaoh, who went to great lengths to present as a man, wearing male clothing and a fake beard, took on wives, and used both male and female pronouns. Though it cannot be definitively said if Hatshepsut was a trans man or not, a lot of the evidence points to that being the case.

• Anonymous Man (16th century) Henri Estienne wrote of a FTM man who was burned alive for living as a man, learning a trade, and taking a wife. The man was outed by someone who recognized him from their hometown and when given the option between death and living as a woman, the man chose death.

• Jospeh Lobdell (1829 - 1912) A frontier man and skilled marksman who lived on the frontier with his wife before being locked in an asylum for insisting that he was a man. Scholars used to label him as a lesbian before it was revealed by his own writings that he more likely was in fact a trans man.

• Reed Erickson (1912 - 1992) After inheriting his father’s fortune in 1962 and after transitioning in 1963, Erickson launched the Erickson Educational Foundation in 1964 and through that laid the foundation for several trans activism organizations like the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association, Paul Walker’s Janus Information Service, Sister Mary Elizabeth’s and Jude Patton’s J2CP, and several others. He was also an alternate health practices supporter and funded research on homeopathy and acupuncture.

• Billy Tipton (1914 - 1989) An American jazz musician from 1936 to 1970, Tipton began presenting as male full time in 1940, with only his two cousins knowing his assigned gender. To avoid explaining his breasts and his lack of package, he would tell women that he had been in a serious car accident that resulted in damaged genitals and broken ribs that he had to keep wrapped constantly. No one knew he was trans until he died and and it was revealed by the autopsy.

• Dr. Alan L. Hart (1890 - 1962) An American physician, radiologist, TB researcher, writer and novelist. Alan L. Hart was one of the first trans men to have a hysterectomy and a gonadectomy in the US and his research on TB detection saved thousands of lives. He presented as a boy as a child and was encouraged by his grandparents and parents to do so, and was listed as his grandparent’s grandson in their obituaries. He’s was recorded as always begging to cut his hair, wear boy clothes, and would refer to himself as a boy as a child. He’s the first documented trans man in the united states. His doctor who helped with his transition described him as “extremely intelligent and not mentally ill, but afflicted with a mysterious disorder for which I have no explanation” and said that “from a sociological and psychological standpoint [Hart] is a man”. Not only was he a man of medicine but he was also a fiction writer, and such a lot of his fiction writing reflected his own experiences and feelings.

• Michael Dillon (1915 - 1962) The first FTM person to have a phalloplasty. He’s also believed to be the first FTM person to undergo hrt. While in the hospital with a head injury he met a plastic surgeon who gave him a double mastectomy and a note to help get his birth certificate changed. Dillon performed SRS on Roberta Cowell, the first British trans woman to receive SRS, but because Dillon had not completed his medical training the surgery was considered illegal. Later on he ended up devoting the rest of his life to Buddhism in India.

• “Little Axe” Broadnax (1916 - 1992) Little Axe was an American gospel singer. I couldn’t find much on his personal life, but he was apart of several gospel groups between the 1940’s and 1980’s. He was not discovered to be trans until his death in 1992.

• Lou Sullivan (1951 - 1991) An American author and activist, and also one of the first trans men to publicly identify as gay. He’s heavily credited to the modern understanding of gender identity and sexuality being different things. As a child, he would write in his journal about being confused about his identity, and expressed his ideas of wishing he were a man and wanting to be a gay man there from a young age. He moved away from Milwaukee in 1975 to San Francisco so he could have easier access to not only hrt but a more understanding community. His family was supportive of this move and gave him a man’s suit and his grandfather’s pocket watch as going away presents. In San Francisco, he lived openly as a gay trans man but was denied SRS constantly because of his sexuality, since at the time trans people were expected to adhere to a more heterosexual lifestyle. He finally had SRS in 1986. He was diagnosed as HIV positive in the same year, and said afterwards: “I took a certain pleasure in informing the gender clinic that even though their program told me I could not live as a Gay man, it looks like I’m going to die like one.” As an adult he was active in the Gateway Gender Alliance, which was one of the first educational organizations that offered support for FTM people. He was an editor for The Gateway, a newsletter with “news and information on transvestism and transsexualism” that originally primarily focused on MTF issues, but started to also talk about FTM issues under his editing. He was a founding member of the GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco, he founded FTM International - an organization specifically for trans men - and was a huge advocate for gay trans men, and gay trans people in general. He ended up passing due to HIV related complications.

• Brandon Teena (1972 - 1993) TW: r*pe, assault/violence, murder

Brandon Teena was raped and murdered at age 21 for being trans. He asserted that he was male from a young age and began identifying as a man during adolescence. He would constantly reject school dress code by dressing masculinely. When he was 18 he tried to join the US army but failed to enter after listing his sex as male. In 1993 he began living as a man full time and associating with John L. Lotter, Tom Nissen, and Lana Tisdel. During a Christmas Eve party, Nissen and Lotter forced Brandon to pull down his pants revealing that he was trans. They forced him into a car, drove to a nearby meat packing plant, and raped him. They then took him to Nissen’s house, where they told Brandon to shower, allowing him to escape out the bathroom window and to Tinsel’s house. They went to the ER where while Brandon was having a rape kit done, he was asked invasive, rude, and unnecessary questions about him being trans so they left. When Nissen and Lotter found out about the police report and rape kit they started a hunt for Brandon, and eventually found him on December 31st when they shot and killed him and the two other people in the house where he was staying. Brandon was also stabbed in the chest to ensure he was dead. He’s had two movies made on his life a documentary called The Brandon Teena Story and movie called Boys Don’t Cry.

Some more recent trans men include:

• Thomas Beatie - in 2007 was the first trans man to become pregnant through artificial insemination after finding out his wife was infertile.

• Balian Buschbaum - a former German pole-vaulting champion. He competed during the early 2000s and retired in 2007 to transition

• Chaz Bono - son of Sonny and Cher, he is a writer, musician, and activist

• Ian Harvie - a comedian and actor, he was in Transparent and Roadtrip Nation

• Buck Angel - a former adult film star and producer, and is now a trans activist, writer, and speaker

There are obviously many, many other well known current trans guys out there, but those are just some ✌️

The history of trans guys is often overlooked and/or forgotten, so hopefully you learned something from this

[introducinggage]

When you are with the part of your family you aren't out to yet and your packer keeps adjusting itself to look like a raging hard-on

[introducinggage]

Now... I just want a boyfriend

[introducinggage]

Anyone in Pensacola right now?

[alien-ashtronaut]

Free Binder

Hello lovely people, I have decided that I want to do what I can to help someone out. For months I struggled to get a binder so I decided I want to help out someone who is a trans male or nonbinary by buying them a chest binder. So im doing a kinda give away. Here is the rules/info

- the give away will end on August 31st 2017 - you dont have to be following me but I hope to do more like this so maybe it will be helpful - 1 reblog =1 entry, reblog as much as you like - I will be buying this specific to the winner so you will have to be willing to give me what size you need, your full name and your address - if you dont win please dont be upset, im doing all i can to help out and right now i can only pick one person, when i can i will do more - I would prefer if you need the binder because you are trans, not just for cosplaying purposes, i love cosplaying but there are people who have dysphoria and need a chest binder - Im planing on buy the binder from gc2b but if you have a different site you would like it from i am willing to talk about it with you

[the-guyed-guy]

Signal boost!! For anybody who might need it here

[introducinggage]

You are transtastic!

[alien-ashtronaut]

Free Binder

Hello lovely people, I have decided that I want to do what I can to help someone out. For months I struggled to get a binder so I decided I want to help out someone who is a trans male or nonbinary by buying them a chest binder. So im doing a kinda give away. Here is the rules/info

- the give away will end on August 31st 2017 - you dont have to be following me but I hope to do more like this so maybe it will be helpful - 1 reblog =1 entry, reblog as much as you like - I will be buying this specific to the winner so you will have to be willing to give me what size you need, your full name and your address - if you dont win please dont be upset, im doing all i can to help out and right now i can only pick one person, when i can i will do more - I would prefer if you need the binder because you are trans, not just for cosplaying purposes, i love cosplaying but there are people who have dysphoria and need a chest binder - Im planing on buy the binder from gc2b but if you have a different site you would like it from i am willing to talk about it with you

[the-guyed-guy]

Signal boost!! For anybody who might need it here

[introducinggage]

When you are suddenly questioning your sexuality and want to meet some cute transguys. Even just to talk to. Like right now. So if anyone would like to talk, hit me up. Please?

[frogundies]

how to be “trans enough”

1. identify as transgender

2. thats it, youre good to go

[introducinggage]

Just what I needed today

[introducinggage]

I feel so much more confident in terms of passing when I have my hat backwards and I'm wearing some sort of collared shirt.

[introducinggage]

You don't know me, but i followed you on a previous blog that I had but it has since been deleted and I'm excited because I just found you again. *dances* But now that my excitement is over, allow me to introduce myself, I'm Sam, (27)genderfluid pansexual. I thought you were and still are very handsome Gage! If you ever need someone to talk too, I'm always here. 😁.

Aww thank you so much Sam! I am so glad you found me again. You are so sweet! I would love to chat anytime! It never hurts to have more like-minded friends that you can go to when in need. Message me whenever!! :)

[shapeshiftersvt]

Shapeshifters: Another Quintuple Binder Giveaway

Friends. Comrades. Fellow shapeshifters. Fantastical people of all stripes and spots.

We’ve made 250 more sales since our last giveaway.

What can we say? It’s incredible. There are so many exciting changes in the works, made possible by your business and your spreading the word, and we’re working so hard to make them reality so we can show you everything.

In the meantime, here’s a quintuple giveaway to tide you over. 

The five lucky winners of this giveaway will each receive one $50 Shapeshifters binder. This means any single-sided, non-custom binder in the store.

Thank you always for spreading the word, telling your friends, talking about us, and, of course, for your amazing direct support. You’re so excellent.

The fine print:

Only reblogs or retweets count. One per blog/twitter. No giveaway blogs.

Retweet this tweet and follow the @ShapeshiftersCB twitter for an extra entry.

Entries from all countries are welcome.

You may reblog without entering, just tag or comment accordingly so we know. Signal boosts are always appreciated.

If you have commentary, please add it in the tags! Due to Tumblr limitations beyond our control, your entry may not be counted if you add text to this post.

Five winners will be randomly selected from all entrants on **August 05, 2017**. We will send an ask and a message notifying Tumblr winners, and a DM notifying winners on Twitter.

If any winner does not get back to us within three days, a new winner will be selected in their place.

Any winner may purchase add-ons to their binder as desired.