I agree he is very human and a very interesting individual. Can you explain what you mean by constructs please. Cheers

Social constructs in my opinion are things that separate us like race, class, gender, sexuality etc...The world is setup in a way that tries to make us perceive certain people or groups as better than others when really we are all just human.

Ah thankyou Ebon. I agree with you fully.

Not necessarily. We're taught growing up that there are two sexes, male and female. What's meant by it is cismale and cisfemale, and we're often only taught about certain characteristics that define these. But going by those characteristics alone means we also leave out quite a few people who don't fit either one, physically. For example, intersex people and others with various genetic anomalies. Trans people, and transguys, are pretty diverse.

There have been studies done at a few European medical clinics and universities over the last few years (Spain and Holland come to mind) that have shown that pre-HRT transguys (or those who were a part of the study) possessed the same amount of white matter in almost all areas (except for one) of the brain as cissexed men, while having higher levels than cissexed females. The corticospinal tract was the only area where transguys in the study consistently demonstrated lower levels of white matter than cissexed men, but still had higher levels of white matter than cissexed females.

The brain's white matter is a part of the brain's physical makeup, and is also sexually dimorphic (males generally having more of it than females). In that respect trans people (or at least certain groups of trans people) lie outside of conventional definitions of physical sex defined by varying levels of sexual dimorphism. Especially when we consider that its' most likely the brain that gives people their sense of sex identity (which all people have, and most take for granted), rather than the mere fact that they were born with a certain set of genitals.

It would be better to say that transguys were assigned female at birth (which is different than saying that we're born female) and may decide to alter their appearance to match their brain's sex. Just like some intersexed people were assigned a socially approved sex when they were born, but discover later in life that they are intersex despite the appearance of their genitals (or those who doctor's "fix" to appear as either male or female, and discover this later in life).

Or queer. Or bisexual. Or asexual. Or any other sexuality that exists out there. I know that a lot of trans resources spread the idea that "transguy attracted to women = straight" and "transguy attracted to men = gay" with little explanation of anyone who lies outside of that, but transmale sexuality is just as diverse as anyone else's. There are a few transguys on this forum who don't identify as straight even though they are attracted to women.

For sure, dysphoria can be completely detached from sexual and gender identity. There are butch women and other non-trans identified people who experience some form of body dysphoria that results in their getting top surgery, for example. There are people who were assigned female at birth who undergo HRT and surgery, but don't identify as either male or female. Or they may continue to identify as female.

I'd have to see the video to get a better sense of how the guy expresses his identity, but it's not totally strange that he sees himself that way. There are a few ideas about transguys floating around out there in society/the lgbtq community that don't really encompass the complete diversity of the transmale community.

There are some people who don't feel the need to change their bodies at all who still feel that their identity is a mix between male and female, and masculine and feminine. Just like a cissexed male can feel this way while still being happy with not altering his body, transguys can also feel the same way as far as being more comfortable in a "male" body, but not necessarily taking only a male identity. Changing your body to look a certain way is not always about taking on a socially accepted sex identity.

I can understand why some guys who feel this way find it difficult to express their identity to other people, since people associate certain sex characteristics as male or female, when to some they're simply physical characteristics outside of the labels of "male" and "female."

As far as the femme part, it's not entirely strange. I was just reading an article awhile ago by a transguy who identifies as a femme gay dude. It's not as uncommon as one might think for transguys to be "feminine."

Hopefully that response isn't too confusing and clarifies something for you :p

Ah, my bad. I misread and didn't realise he had specified that she was straight. In that case, at least if it were me, I'd probably tell them once it became evident that there was mutual attraction and we're both actively doing something about it (going on a date, potentially fuck-buddying etc.) It's going to come up eventually anyway and no point investing energy on a straight person who might well reject you down the road when they find out.

Midnight, would you please post the link to the board? thanks.

I think Midnight didn't post it out of respect for that individual.

Oh, I missed that. Thank you Linus for pointing that out to me.

Indeed Linus :)
Ender thankyou so very much for your informative post. The brain is an amazing organ and Im amazed about how much diversity it creates in people. From your response I feel I can better understand where they are now coming from in respect to the you tube posting. You have given me much to think about! Thanks :)

I am dating a femme who ID's as lesbian and some friends and others have come to her voicing their opinions about the fact she is dating me. They ask why would a lesbian date a transman? Has anyone else encountered this and what did ya'll do about it?

I didn't do anything about it; it was her situation to handle.

I realize that sounds a bit insensitive and I don't mean it to come across that way, but that really is the bottom line for me.

I'm assuming these people are *her* friends and acquaintances and that she would know better how to deal with them and their "concerns".

Thanks for the response guys, sorry I was away with family and no computer access!

I am gonna let her handle this matter, she is a strong woman and I believe she can do it gracefully!

Anyone getting their script from Stroheckers?
 

Hey guys,

I have been with Stroheckers for about 5 years now. First with IM and starting in 2009 cream. The first few times I ordered from them, I got 3 months or 90 grams and following the directions of 1/4 tsp. After a few months I got a shipment in that was only one jar instead of two. I called and talked to Brett, who is now no longer there and he said they started shipping out only 2 months because everyone was complaining that there is too much meds. I thought it was fishy but just went along with it thinking they were ploying for more money.

With the new laws on meds in FL, I now have to see the doc every time I need a refill so I asked her to be sure to send in a script for 3 months, not the two they have been sending. When I got it in, it was the same amount and when I called Strocheckers, they said that they have not changed anything and that it was the same three month supply that I have been getting.

They gave me dates where the first 3 orders were 3 months apart and then it went to two, but there is no record of me calling in and now they are saying it is my fault. I am having issues with them and my doc now. I have a 1/4 tsp measuring spoon to be sure I am using the correct amount.

I am curious if anyone else is having issues with Strocheckers? Is anyone else on the cream and did the amount go down? Any input would be appreciated.

Sorry I have never gotten my creme through them and have always had good experiences with them. However i do tend to use less of mine then prescribed so mine is always lasting way past the time to renew.

Thanks man. Yeah until now I ahve had great experiences. Not sure whats going on.

I don't use the cream, but I do get my prescription through them as well. I haven't been using them that long, and have only had to refill once in the time I have been on T and for the most part, they have been good. The only issue I have had with them is when it came time for my refill they only sent me needles for injecting, not for drawing the T into the syringe. They promptly sent me more, which was great, and I have not otherwise had any issues. For me, with my current dosing level mine easily lasts for 3 months.

I wouldn't mind going with a local company, but honestly so far, this has worked for me, and its not too expensive either.

Got it taken care of. I went to my doc and talkd to her about it and she said that there was indeed an issue with the cream. She gave me another script to take to a local compounding pharm that she recommended and I got 4 months for a savings of about 50 bucks off of what I was paying for 2 months and they put it in pre-measured syringe type dispensers.

Super great service and better price and LOCAL!!

Atkinsons Pharm on Kingsley Ave, in case anyone is interested. Talk to Kelly. He is a super nice guy.

What do you think of the glitter bombing of Dan Savage?

I thought it was a very sparkly moment.

That said, I don't know if he realizes that the very things that he doesn't like that happen against the GL community he may be very well doing to the trans community. Terms (at least for me) like "shemale" or "tranny" doesn't sit well with me. Granted it was 2003 in one piece in particular that he did this but I don't know if he's really acknowledged it or what he's done.

Honestly, the whole "glitter bombing" thing is not something I really understand. I'm not really sure where it came from or why it seems so popular now. In many respects I feel like it detracts from the seriousness of the forms of discrimination that people are speaking out against. On the other hand, it attracts more attention to it, where people would have otherwise ignored it.

From everything I've read, Dan Savage is an unapologetic transphobe, and I think it's important to point out why since he's a popular public figure. A lot of people espouse similar beliefs to his on trans folks, while still claiming to be "trans allies," just as he does. Whether glitter bombing him will help raise awareness or not on why certain behaviours and statements are transphobic remains to be seen.

I liked this take on it, though: http://www.bilerico.com/2011/11/dan_..._transphob.php

Relationships
 

*snipped* So very well said..everyone should be so blessed to find what you and your wife have.

Blows the dust off here!

Hey thought I'd throw something out there!

In a week I'm going to meet up with an Aunt and Uncle and their son and his family.

As far as I know they have no clue of my trans status! Right now I'm just figuring to just show up and make no big deal of it! I don't foresee any issues with them or I would address it before hand. In this case it just seems easiest to handle it as it comes.

When I came out as gay 10 years ago they were very very excepting! Even my tough navy officer uncle!

I'm staying with the cousin but I have hotel reservations for that night that I can cancel up til 4 pm that night and will hang onto them til that day. That's also partly due to health issues my uncle and aunt have. Figure it's just easier to hold onto it and cancel it when i'm sure I don't need it!

any thoughts?

I'm always amazed at how well my family receives me. The biggest challenge with distant relatives (my aunts and uncles live in Canada so I only see them maybe once or twice a year) is that they forget pronouns. Personally I don't make it a big deal because I see them so rarely. They try and still love me for who I am (the more important fact, IMO).

I think you have a plan and if things don't go well, you have an out if need be. Just be positive and open to any questions. Do you think they know? (say from other family members)

It sounds like a good plan to me. I'd also have a way to get out of there quickly, just in case. Then again, I'm not particularly trusting, either.

They possibly could but the only people the would hear it from would be my parents and I just don't see my parents having said anything because they are pretty private.

Certain people get passes on the pronouns and name game, that's really not an issue for me, I just really try to be sensitive to the other people involved and the best way to deal with it for them. Some of my other relatives I would definitely deal with it before hand but this side of the family is pretty laid back.

When I started my transition, I didnt expect my family and those that had known me for large numbers of years to automatically start calling me by my new name. Mind you, these people are few in number, but I do have to try to cut them some slack. It has got to be hard for them to adjust to referring to me by my new name, and thinking of me as a different gender then what they are used to.

Balding????
 

A male hairline does not necessarily equate to male pattern baldness, and yes, usually its the T that makes the male hairline. A female hairline is generally rounder than a male hairline. As for male pattern baldness, the general response is that genetics determine that, just like it does for female pattern baldness.

So I've run into an odd situation at work. First a bit of background (for those unaware): I started my transition back in 2007-2008. I've been on T since 2008 and had top surgery last year. I have not had my I.D. gender changed yet because of the whole visa/green card stuff (the US gov't doesn't seem to care so that's fine). For my company I'm a technical trainer and sometimes we do what are known as "onsites" where a customer pays for a trainer to come and train their employees at their facility.

Recently, we had one customer who wants me (specifically) to come and teach. They happen to be an airline and they wanted to book the ticket on their airline. That, in itself, isn't an issue. However, the person organizing it (and likely to be a student) wanted the necessary info, which (as per TSA), means name and gender being given out. This made me go "no, not doing it" and told my company that. The airline company finally agreed to let me book the ticket myself (it then ends up with some random stranger rather than the person booking the course) and I still book the flight with them.

I'll say it again: I love the company I work for. They protected my privacy while still meeting the needs of the customer.

I'm so glad for you, Linus, that you have an employer that is looking out for their employees as well as their customers. I hope that I get a job with a company like that.

What have you guys done with all of your old photographs?

For good or bad, they are part of my life, so I have kept them. I seldom show them to other people, however. Generally, I might show them to close friends or to show someone that is considering transition just how much that a person can change, physically, over the course of transition.

i feel pretty much the same, i dont live stealth either, but if anyone wants to know i have no problem with that, im older than you, came out in the late 90's and transitioned 6 yrs ago - is it an age thing - i.e. as we get older and have lived most of our life in our birth gender,seen and been through a lot in life - it can seem less important than maybe to a younger person?