Ask a trans person!

[Liam]

Originally Posted by pajara2

How is it that FTMs end up with male hairlines, i.e. male pattern baldness? Is it the T that causes hair loss because of its steroid nature?

Thanks for any feedback.
A

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.

[Linus]

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.

[Nadeest]

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.

[Liam]

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

[Nadeest]

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.

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by Liam

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

I have my old photos and I keep them. I don't think I show them to other people more or less than anyone else probably shows their old photos to others. I don't live my life, necessarily, in "stealth" mode, but that's because it's really not an issue, for the most part. I don't bring up the fact that I'm trans, as a general policy, and most people don't notice it and/or bring it up, in the course of everyday living. I guess I'm just not that uptight about it, for lack of a better word.

I am not hesitant to reveal or desirous of hiding my former (female-bodied) life. I am extremely proud of the fact that I served as a Woman Marine, and one of my pictures from that period in my life is displayed here in my gallery, as are several other pics from various times in my life, as well as a more recent picture. Like I said, it's just not that much of an issue. It is what it is. I think that only once....and it's been very recently, has anyone ever asked me what my previous (female) given name was, and I refused to answer. I figure it's none of anyone's business what that was and is totally irrelevent now.

I think everyone is different, for the most part. I lived most of my 51 years in my birth-assigned gender, and I'm not ashamed or wanting to hide that. It's in my past but is something I take with me.....a part of who I am. Sometimes it is the better part of me. It makes me a better man. Everyone is different, however, and I'm sure there are many other transfolk out there who feel differently than I do. That's what makes us unique, as human beings.

~Theo~

[Jaques]

Originally Posted by theoddz

I have my old photos and I keep them. I don't think I show them to other people more or less than anyone else probably shows their old photos to others. I don't live my life, necessarily, in "stealth" mode, but that's because it's really not an issue, for the most part. I don't bring up the fact that I'm trans, as a general policy, and most people don't notice it and/or bring it up, in the course of everyday living. I guess I'm just not that uptight about it, for lack of a better word.

I am not hesitant to reveal or desirous of hiding my former (female-bodied) life. I am extremely proud of the fact that I served as a Woman Marine, and one of my pictures from that period in my life is displayed here in my gallery, as are several other pics from various times in my life, as well as a more recent picture. Like I said, it's just not that much of an issue. It is what it is. I think that only once....and it's been very recently, has anyone ever asked me what my previous (female) given name was, and I refused to answer. I figure it's none of anyone's business what that was and is totally irrelevent now.

I think everyone is different, for the most part. I lived most of my 51 years in my birth-assigned gender, and I'm not ashamed or wanting to hide that. It's in my past but is something I take with me.....a part of who I am. Sometimes it is the better part of me. It makes me a better man. Everyone is different, however, and I'm sure there are many other transfolk out there who feel differently than I do. That's what makes us unique, as human beings.

~Theo~

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?

[Joe Mario]

Interesting topic, fellahs. My stealth/ out status is tricky due to my occupation. As a professional working in an office with
(non-pro) office staff involving servicing the (general) public, I don't want my status known there primarily for the (obvious) safety reasons. The idea doesn't make me feel safe and it's, as Theo said; 'none of anyone's business'.


This could change if the public could see the value in our unique perspective. A cis-gendered bio-male could never, ever have our insight or perspective. Ever. How we see ourselves first comes from us as a community, then it projects outward to the mainstream public. Thankfully there are single individuals out there helping us along. We still have a long way to go, but I am full of hope.


I was 46 when I decided to do this. My adult life has been in the LGBTQ social culture where I am out. Having achieved most things I am proud of before transitioning, I don't wish at all to 'erase' that part of my life. In fact, achieving them in a non-transitioned, non-cisgendered state makes me feel like a super dude among men, so I am definitely keeping the photos!

Am still balancing out how I feel completely about the whole stealth/ out issue. Permissions with my family's friends can be tricky, but am out with LGBTQ Communities. People come in all sorts and rub us all differently and my status is MY very personal business. Ultimately, I feel like the default for disclosure should be my choice.

[Liam]

Originally Posted by Jaques

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?

I'm not sure that it is an age thing, since I have photographs older than Theo.

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Liam

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

I'm actually in a process of taking all my old photographs some that I am in and some that I am not in and scanning them into my computer.

I hope to make some themed murals with them to display in my hallway.

I'm not sure what I am going to do with the ones that i am in yet. I'm going to leave those for last! If nothing else I will probably make something then decide whether or not to display. I figure when i get to that point I will know what is right for me. At this moment it would be weird, but by the time I get there and maybe in the manner that I display them it might be okay.

I do have some albums and my yearbook out but really not anywhere that someone is going to grab them and look at them.

Some of my not displaying them has to do with others reactions but the other part has to do with me. It's just weird to see them. It's a different person that I am so disconnected from and even though it's a part of my past it's weird to look at this person that existed yet didn't exist.