This is just a random book that I'm going to treat as my journal/diary. I'll tell you what's going on in my life and rant about annoying stuff. I'm rating it mature for violence and just general, because I am a teenager, stuff is going to get intere...
So I know a couple people who are trying to figure out their gender/ thinking about transitioning and then I saw some pictures I thought could help so this chapter is: A Transgender Help Chapter. If you like it, comment any other "Help Chapters" I could do. Warning: I am a cisgender female so I can't do the whole emotional/ problamatic part of it. All of this information I've found on the internet/ done my own research.
So this chapter is going to be about Transgender boys. I'll do another one on Transgender girls later but this chapter got too long (sorry).
You guys are valid and amazing.
I found this picture online so I'm not positive how true it is but it's worth a try. It seems quite common if you have an instagram and I haven't seen anything to disprove it so it seems pretty legitamate.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Some tips for feeling/seeming more like a guy (I don't really know how to phrase this less awkardly mostly cause I'm tired but you know what I mean):
- Not shaving in general - Wearing guy's deodorant/ cologne - Wearing beanies (I don't know why but alot of the transgender guys I know where beanies so I guess maybe there's something about them?) - Cutting your hair short (Go to a barber for this) - Buying clothes from the guys section - Using guy's shampoo - Binding (I'll talk about this in a bit) - Don't wear super baggy clothing. This often just makes one look bigger not more masculine. Of course, don't wear super tight clothing either. Experiment with styles and try to find what works best for you and your body type. - Layer, layer, layer. - Wear darker clothes. Guys don't usually wear brighter clothing so try to stick to dark blues, greens, greys and reds. - Wearing boxers, briefs or boxer briefs -Trim your nails
Okay, now Binding. The main reason I made this chapter was because Ghost-Carson was asking for tips on how to bind and I thought there are probably more people out there wondering the same thing and so this chapter was made. Some people end up binding unsafely and this worries me. I want you guys to stay safe especially when binding.
What not to do: - DON'T USE ACE BANDAGES. Ace bandages are made to constrict with movement so anytime you move or bend over or breathe, the bandage will tighten. On top of this, if you have a larger chest it won't work as well. They often slip. Please don't use Ace Bandages. - DO NOT USE TAPE. NEVER USE TAPE. ESPECIALLY DUCT TAPE. THIS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA. NO NO NO. PLEASE DON'T DO THIS. - Don't bind too tightly. Only bind as tightly as you need to. If you're bigger chested remember that it's okay if you're not 100% flat chested. Guys don't usually have a 100% flat chest either. -Don't wear a binder while sleeping. - Don't wear more than one binder at once and don't get a binder too small for you. -
What to do: - If you can afford it try to buy a binder. There are many good sites out there depending on your price range. -When you first get a binder, only wear it a couple hours a day until you get more used to it. - Once you get used to it, don't wear a binder for more than 8-12 hours at a time -There will be some shortness of breath and some rib-aching at first but if it gets too much then return it and try to get a different size. - If the pain become unbarable, TAKE IT OFF. If it becomes painful to breathe, TAKE IT OFF. Please be safe when binding. - Try looking at binders from Underworks. Almost every site I visited recommended them. They have good binders, usually pretty cheap and I've heard the people who run the site are helpful especially with fittings. (Site: http://www.f2mbinders.com/)
If you can't afford/ can't get a binder: - There are a bunch of sites that sell used binders. Try checking some of those out - Try layer shirts. First do a tight undershirt or a sports bra, followed by 1 or 2 loose t-shirts with a button down shirt on top. - A tight fitting sports bra or multiple sports bras can work. - Athletic compression shirts (these might be kind of expensive though). - Neoprene. This is kind of like wetsuits. Again, it almost seems like more of a hassle then just getting a binder but it still is an option and if it works for you, that's great.
And now some helpful sites:
https://seanyboyo.wordpress.com/2010/11/13/awesome-ftm-passing-tips/- This site includes: a more in depth look at how to pass, talks about voice, shoes, and a lot of stuff I didn't talk about.
http://transguys.com/features/chest-binding - this site has a lot of tips on how to properly use a binder as well as a lot of sites with places to buy binders from. The site itself has a lot of tips on being transgender and such like that (I didn't look at the site too much)
http://www.ftmguide.org/binding.html- Talks about different binding methods plus more about how to bind properly
http://www.transactiveonline.org/inabind/- This place gets binders donated by people and give them to people who need them. If you can't afford one try this place out. Also has tips on coming out, support groups and answers to questions parents might have.
Okay, remember that you are important and loved and valid. If you have any questions/ need help/ want me to send you the links dm me and I'd love to help!
