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It seems to me, that trans masculine representation is vastly lacking, in the media, in activism, in resources, and I am sure other areas. I guess what this rant is, is about one person. I used to follow a prominent trans woman feminist activist, but for my sanity, needed to distance myself. Since she gets a lot of media coverage, she's hard to avoid. As a whole, I don't really have a problem with her views, but there are things that piss me off. The main one is that she claims she's "one of the biggest trans activists" yet she fails to mention trans men for the most part. She'll quip that trans men receive little attention from time to time, but doesn't mention them in the media. Yesterday I asked her if she was going to mention trans men in a piece about poverty. Her reply was that an inter-sectional lens is space for trans women to discuss trans women issues. I'm sorry, but no. Trans men face poverty, housing issues, voice problems, discrimination, lack of dignity, harassment, violence, surgery, hormones, fear of using public bathrooms and many other issues as well. As an example, you know what trans men do not face - health issues such as prostate problems. The next point in my head was "facial feminization" but that negates pre-t trans men. By no means am I saying I believe this world provides equal treatment, and these issues are systematically to the same extreme for trans women, trans women of colour, trans men and trans men of colour. I am just saying that all trans people, have hurdles that need to be navigated and using the guise of an inter-sectional lens to silence trans masculine experiences is unacceptable. Especially for a trans activist. Just my opinion though. What are your thoughts?

Super short blog, since we dont have the shout feature anymore My new video!! Enjoy Warren

People have asked for my opinion about Caitlyn Jenner, and the Vanity Fair magazine, and all that stuff. First off, I am I am happy she can finally be herself. Secondly, I think she is beautiful on the cover of Vanity Fair. Ultimately though, I don't care and have no opinion. I didn't know who Bruce was before. The first time I heard that name, it was when they got into a car accident in Jan/15. That fact that Bruce won a gold medal or that he is associated with the Kardashians was something I just didn't know. I suppose if I had any other opinions, I don't think her journey reflects the average transition. She has money and can use it to pay for any surgery she wants without waiting for funding or saving up for it. However, the media doesn't care about that and tabloids are some people's only source for information. I think most cis people wouldn't do their research about transitioning to see what the true struggle is. Exposure isn't necessarily a bad thing, even if it's not completely accurate information because it at least gets people talking, and conversation opens minds to people who are not exposed to the topic at hand. Of course I would prefer it if accurate trans representation was more in the public view.

I've been seeing a lot of hate lately towards the gorgeous Caitlyn Jenner, and frankly...its saddening. I know it is difficult for people to understand the gravity and complexity of being Transgendered unless they have LIVED it. No one will understand it unless they have witnessed it in their own lives, or gone through the judgement of something in which you have no control. Many saying she is no hero. She is not courageous. Well what you may not realize, is she is a hero. Perhaps not a metal of honor or a survivor of a battle, but a hero to others who aspire to be like her. To the Transgender Community. You see, there are many levels of courage. It all depends on who is looking at it. Not saying that soldiers arent courageous, dont get me wrong! They have a lot of courage and guts, and I know it takes a lot of heart, soul and dedication to be a soldier in war. But no matter what they do they'll always be considered a hero. Transgenders.....no matter what we do, we're freaks and outcasts. A soldier can wear his uniform in public and get handshakes and appreciation. Transgenders get beat up and pointed at and parents shooing their kids away. Suffering names like "tranny" and "fa**ot" and countless other things. We cannot even use the correct bathrooms, or ANY public bathroom, without ridicule and heart breaking judgement. Just...you know....just saying. I know you're gonna say "well soldiers die for their country" and I agree with that fact, though I may not agree with the reasons for them to give their lives, but nevertheless I agree that its tragic. But transgenders also die... Maybe not for their country, maybe not in uniforms, and maybe not with honor. But for their lack of identity and ability to be who they truely are. They commit suicide from abandonment of their families and friends. Because the mental turmoil and cruelty they endure is just as big of a battle as one overseas. And if they dont commit suicide...they're sometimes even murdered. For being alive.... Just food for thought. Warren

Last week was my first post surgery operation appointment for breast augmentation where I was told there would be several more appointments over the next several months. Today I was examined and asked about pain or discomfort. I told them what little pain was still present was almost completely gone on Monday of this week. Both the surgeon and his assistant (a female) agreed that my recovery was better than the average person after breast augmentation and said even with heavy muscles I was doing fantastic. During the examination I was placed into various positions to ensure the forms were in the proper position which is what the elastic strap was for which I had been wearing for the past two weeks. So now no more wrap but was told to be careful with things like lifting heavy objects for the next two week. They said I was doing so well that my next appointment will not be for five months unless I had concerns. This morning I thought that they might toss the wrap and decided to bring a bra with me so once the appointment was concluded I went right to the restroom and put on the bra I brought with me. Comparing the old breast forms to my new breast, there is very little difference in projection which made me happy. Speaking of bras, I plan on visiting Victoria's Secrets Friday afternoon for a bra fitting. My wish is to get one for everyday and one fancy bra. I will work with the everyday bra during the weekend and if it suits me will purchase more on Monday after work.

Every once in a while I get tired around lunch time at work and luck that I park my car in the underground garage in my building. So I went down to take a nap and as I am falling asleep I am thinking it's been four months since gender reassignment surgery and started going back in time thinking, self-evaluating how life has been treating me. My conclusion was that there is nothing negative at all about me changing gender and little to no complaints in other aspects of my life. I believe one reason for me taking this journey back to January is because I made a commitment to my therapist that I would continue seeing her at least until my surgery anniversary date. This Friday will be my second visit with her since surgery, the first was right after returning home. Besides informing her that all is well I am going to indicate that I want to wait six months until another visit simply because how life is rolling along nicely now. I know full well that I can contact her in between visits so I always can reach out if for some odd reason things change. Knowing what I know it's important no matter how well life is going to have a life line to a therapist as life can take a down turn in a blink of an eye and wanted to stress this to others as we all deal with what life tosses us differently. What you thought was truth before hormone treatment therapy will be different say 12 to 24 months later. Heck this weekend I cried my eye's out while watching a movie, heck before hormones I will not had any emotional response at all. For someone else this could very well throw them into a depressive state of mind which may be difficult to pull out of so please keep a life line open to a therapist along your journey. Lastly, keep in mind you are not alone, when there are feelings (dark feelings) of depression do not hold it within, find someone who will listen and by all means vent your feelings here in a blog entry. And don't watch depressing things on television and avoid drugs and drinking, they are temporary solutions that only cause less than great emotional and mental well-being.

Hey Warren, I like t-shirts that have large patterns on the front - my fav. is a Budweiser that has pool balls all over the front (circa 1993). This is such a good shirt because I can be unbound, and the balls distract from my chest. Granted, I never go out unbound. Large logos are ok, if they are straight over the whole bound part, but not if they go slightly below the underboob line, because sometimes shirts get stuck in the crevice. Tighter (or "normal" fitting) t-shirts aren't favorable for people with bigger chests who bind as well, because of the under armpit flab- ugh! That's when I'll layer with a button shirt - depending on the t-shirt (patterned or solid) is the deciding factor if it's buttoned or not. I also like vertical stripped button shirts over plaid, but if I were to wear plaid, I go for the plaid that's spread out more, than what you're wearing in your video. Simply because I am larger chested, shirts tend to cling to my underboob and I find the close plaid pattern accentuates this - where the larger plaid hides it more. Those are my pointers.

I haven't been following trans-activists long enough to comment about them and transmen, but I do know that media representations have been overwhelmingly of transwomen. That may be in part because the transition is generally more visible? (going from man to woman vs. woman to man) The idea of "tomboys" has been around and partly/largely accepted for so long that it makes FtM transitioning seem less extreme. Just a thought, and that doesn't justify anything!

I meant the tighter shirts in favor for the MTFs to try and add volume to their appearence, though I dont recommend them for the FTMs. But those are good points about the logos, I forgot about those noted.

Anyone who had a youtube account, please feel free to subscribe to me, I'll be trying to put out new videos every wednesday

Karen, I already cry at the drop of a hat (sometimes literally), it'd be interesting to see what hormones would do! xoxo Christie

Wonderful video Warren! And it really is a great idea to find someone who will be honest when assessing your wardrobe. I know one thing that I had to keep in mind is to consider age and lifestyle, it was very tempting to want to dress as a 20-something girl, which would have looked awkward at best. xoxo Christie

What wonderful photos! You look gorgeous

Thanks ladies I've spent the last few days alone with my thoughts and it's been good to clear my read - refocus on my goals. Work and some toxicity from people had really gotten to me. A little bit of hermitting and your kind words have done a lot to get me back on my feet again.

Thank you for your thoughtful observation Brigsby. I agree there isn't as much conversation about trans men. I suspect that is because the men are less visible, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't talk about FtM issues. It reinforces in my mind that we were right, during the early development of TGGuide, when we decided to be open to all transgender people including FtM. In fact, during our recent upgrades, I am attempting to make the site more neutral so it feels welcoming for both the guys and gals regardless of where they fit on the transgender continuum.

Years ago, a heavy butch Lesbian invited me to her home to watch a video, and, even though I am a mid-butch Lesbian, I cried my eyes out. My friend told me that she was glad she invited no one else, especially from the Lesbian community, to join us, because, frankly, she was embarrassed! LOL! Luckily, my beloved never put such pressure on me! We cried together, IN PUBLIC, at many movie theaters! LOL! Monica

I completely agree! I've heard too many people saying she's not a hero - heroism comes in many forms.

I must agree, any good - no non negative press regarding transgender has to be good, let's face it, the sheep like masses out there, always seem to look up to the rich & famous, so it helps to normalise the whole spectrum of Trans isssues. Think Elton John & being openly gay is such a similar parallel. Here in the UK we were only aware of Bruce Jenner when she had all that nasty invasive press coverage, It's refreshing to see the balance of coverage start to go in the other direction, and of course I'm glad that her life is seemingly turning out to be better. Cheers, Eve

Since my mother and brother who live 3,500 miles from me have not seen Karen I went and got some photos done. Before are a few of the photos. For my mother and brother (both live in the same house) I had three pictures framed together. I elected to have the pictures taken with zero makeup so any and all flaws do show up and that is how I like it, natural.

I have my complaints but none are bugging me atm XD I'll post a blog soon, updating everyone. Thanks but seriously, loving the pics, you got that bright and cheeriness shining through!

Thanks for the compliment Warren and hope all is as well as it can be (I believe you know what I mean in a good way) in your world

Gorgous photos!

Thanks Christie, the photographer made me feel right at home.

You look amazing! And happy