Different Bodies, Same Love

So I'm heading off to university this autumn and I got my accommodation sorted today, the original plan was to have an en-suite room however the prices from last year which I was using and could just manage to afford have gone way above what I could afford, so that puts an en-suite out of the question. So I call them up because the room they offered I can't afford and I want them to take me off the waiting list for. I then discover that there aren't any en-suites left at all, even the cheaper ones are gone, in fact all that is left is a hall with single sex corridors. So I let them know I am trans and will be transitioning at uni etc. so she asks which bathroom I would prefer to use. I picked male because out of the two options I know I would feel slightly more comfortable in the males and I also need to prove to various people that I can live as male in order to get hormones yay for the NHS and my psychotherapist.

So what I am asking you is how do I go about passing in a man's bathroom when I wash? I've been told that the showers aren't as private (curtains only) as the baths are (doors that lock). Any tips at all?

(x-posted to: ftmstudents, ftm_meets_world, ftm_youth, _ftm_)

If there's someone who is non-transgender that wants to be a part in supporting the trans community, and people know they are non-trans, what's your initial reaction to them? Is there a period where you question their motives or sincerity?

x-posted various places
( call for submissions - book on FTM/transmasculine People Of Color )

Hey, everyone.

I've received some complaints about the use of "bio men" in the community's userinfo. Although I did write the information, it was probably about 6 years ago (that is, I was young and naive) and, frankly, I agree with the complaints.

I've chosen to change "bio men" to "non-trans men" because I know lots of folks have issues with the term "cisgender" and "cissexual" as well, so "non-trans" seemed like the best way to go.

If you have any other problems with these terms, or with the userinfo in general, please let me or another mod know.

Thanks!

So, I recently had to deal with a few things. I haven't posted here in a while so I will give a quick recap of moi:

Dani, 20, in polyamory triad relationship with two individuals, another FTM and a genderqueer bio/cismale.

I have many friends in the LGB (no T mix sometimes in Boston/South coast) and I was going over my wishlist with some buddies on amazon and they saw the double male symbol (for gay couples) and mentioned I wish they had three male symbols to signify my trilationship (haha, get it, tri(3)-lationship?), and one of my gay male friends was somewhat offended and started talking about how it's almost like cultural misappropriation for me, a still bio-female (though FTM) to be "parading around" with that, and that other people (specifically straight, in his view) would be confused and not understand and might misrepresent the gay community because of it. Initially, I was agreeing with this, and then I realized that he himself may be facing his own transphobia issues in that, "You can't claim the benefits of being in my label, because you physically don't match the criteria." and it hasn't been the first time with him.

So my question is, have any of you also faced situations similar to mine, in that the gay community doesn't quite find it ready to let yourself identify as you are?

Crossposted in several places;trannyfags  , femme_ftm , and here.

Hi, I'm Nico. 22, pre-everything, gay, living in TX. Been out to my mom about 2 months, she deals with it okay. Sometimes better than others. Slowly coming out to my friends. Waiting on the delivery of my first binder. Just wanted to say hi. ^_^

~Nico

heyy, i'm Aiden and i am just in the initial prosess of transfering.. right now i see myself becoming bigendered, i am seeing aspects of FTM that seem to relate to me tho. like i said i'm still new to all this so i still have to sort things out. this is the first time i used my new name actually.

i was just wondering what different things guys on this site were into ... this is my first post so i just wanted to introduce myself and see what the community is like

How much do guys on T need to worry about birth control?

( The situation )

Obviously I'd rather err on the side of caution in the future, but it'd be nice to know what the actual risk is. So... is there any chance of a trans guy on T getting pregnant, especially if his partner pulls out? If you're in a similar situation, what do you do to stay safe - do you do anything?

(crossposted to ftm_in_bed and any_bodied_men - sorry if you're reading this twice)

While normally I'd ask people not to take much stock in LJ writing (ahem, rants), I'd like to have people look at this pretty open-heartedly. Because my thought process and ways I express myself are substantially different than others, I will apologise ahead of time if the writing seems scattered. In my head, this train has perfectly laid out tracks (with tons of twists of course), however, it may not resonate with you. That's okay. I apologise for that, too. It's a fairly personal piece, but perhaps some people will understand.

( How My Passing Centrism Enforced Misogyny/Stereotypes )

Hey.

My name's RC. I'm 24, 11 months on T. Living stealth (at work mostly) and passing I'd say 100% of the time. Recently had top surgery Nov 5th 2008 with Dr. Mangubat (seattle wa) and I'm here because I enjoy other guy's stories about their journeys through transitioning as much as my own. Maybe even more than my own, hahaha.

I would identify myself as a very VERY queer man. I've been with my girlfriend for quite some time, have what most would call "straight" sex, but I love guys just as much as I do women. Maybe even a little bit..lot bit more. I know that if I weren't madly in love with my lady, I'd be making my rounds with the fellas (trans and cis) hahaha.

Anyway, it'll be good getting to know you all. HOLLA!

I recently posted an entry stating I was transitioning after my six-year university course had finishd (I am currently in the first of these years), but I got a lot of responses (to put it lightly) saying it'd be better to do whilst at university (I am at the Royal Veterinary College in London), therefore, can anyone help by telling me how I go about getting testosterone injections? I have very little idea where to start, and I am basically looking for something that will get me on a waiting list to be given psychotherapy (seeing as I know this is a legal requirement in the UK), but I don't know where to look.
Additionally, any ideas on funding, charities or NHS support for transitioning would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Good article by a good friend of mine about Manhunt. He's the same author who did the "Transfags" article in Out magazine last spring.
http://www.out.com/detail.asp?id=24357

Stephanie Brill on 20/20 with Barbara Walters
Friday Nov 14, 10PM ET

Join 20/20's Barbara Walters as she talks with Gender Spectrum's co-founder Stephanie Brill in an upcoming special featuring Transgender families. Brill explores with Walters the many pathways Transgender people pursue to arrive at parenthood. Some of the topics they will discuss include Transgender people's rights to preserve fertility and the recent public - and LGBT community's - response to the highly-profiled pregnant man, Thomas Beattie. Walters and Brill also address societal stigma towards Transgender families and the need to raise awareness and understanding. The impulse to parent is human, not gender-based, says Brill, and love is what's needed to make a
family.

Don't miss it and please forward widely!

This segment will air on November 14th at 10pm ET (check local listings) and serves as a follow-up to Walters' sensitive and respectful interviews with Transgender children and their parents aired in June 2007.

I ran out of testosterone at the beginning of the month and my next shot is due on Sunday! The cost is approximately $60 for the vile and shipping! After I pay for my share for the utilities, I won't have the money until at least December. Does anyone know of any donor programs or know anyone who might be willing to lend me money or donate money?

From Top to Bottom: A toppy transman's "rant" about assumptions in regards to transmen and sexuality.

I found the article rather refreshing and to the point. I'm sure some people could find the guy offensive; but I rather like his cut-and-dry "just suck it up and deal" attitude.

( text under cut )

crossposted: ftm_in_bed

Okay, so I found my insurance doesn't cover hormones (big surprise, way to go BlueCrossBlueShield RI), so I may buy hormones from http://www.stroheckersrx.com/htf.html however, there's a few questions.

1. Does it come with a syringe when you order it?
2. How do you keep your equipment sterile?
3. Like insulin, does the T have to go inside the fridge?
4. How much lasts you for the month? I would like to inject myself every other week.
5. How do I go about measuring how much is one dose?
6. What does Strocker's need? The perscription of my doctor or a therapist note? Do they need anything at all? And do they take credit cards?

I think my doctor will pretty much go over some of the basics (self-administration and all), however I am going to initially see what she can do to perscribe it for me (how much, etc).

So, I apologise for the typical question. I have been searching and not really getting direct answers except "it varies from person to person."

Greetings!

( Intro )

In the interests of trying to revive my own comm:

allybootcamp: A safe, supportive community for LGBTQ folk and their allies to learn about being effective allies; ( Read more... )

I got this in an e-mail today and wanted to pass on the information:

My name is Jeremy Grey and I am a research assistant at the University of Minnesota. We are currently recruiting participants for a project looking at nontrans men who have sex with trans people. Our long-term goal is to develop an online resource to improve sexual health for trans people and their partners.

You can find more information on our project website: http://www.allgenderhealth.org/.

I would be most grateful if you could display our recruitment banner in your community. Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the project coordinator, Dr. Alex Iantaffi, at ianta001@umn.edu.

So I finally received my first ever binder from Underworks, the TriTop one. And it's absolutely amazing. It came in a flat envelope box so I was a little confused and skeptical it was underworks since it was such a flat package, but soon as I opened it I was bouncing in glee. I immediately ripped it open and switched to put it on (much to my younger cousins displeasure at partial nudity) and it feels amaaazing.

I find it funny that I feel liberated, yet I totally know my breasts are super compressed. Lol.