Introduction

Like many trans people, I was an active blogger (on Tumblr and YouTube) early on in my transition. I meticulously documented my first year on testosterone, my top surgery, and other milestones in my transition. For awhile, I (with my friend Adrian) ran a fairly popular Tumblr called The Art of Transliness, writing posts with advice about name changes, coming out, binding, and all manner of things related to being a trans man. We also answered people’s questions until we became bogged down with our work and family obligations- not to mention the sheer amount of questions we were receiving. Not only that, we found after several years of running the blog that we were no longer up-to-date on what I guess could best be referred to as ‘early transition issues.’ We’d dispensed all of our advice. We were tapped out. Again, like many trans people (although fewer these days), I disappeared from the trans online world several years into my transition. 

There are now several prominent trans men who have remained active online talking about their experiences many years after they began their transitions. However, I’m still moved to start blogging again because I still have something to add to the conversation. I came out as trans 10 years ago and, at that time, I struggled to imagine what my future would look like. I longed to hear from settled, employed trans adults with children- those living the life I wanted to live. I am now exiting my 20s and living that life I hoped for but could barely imagine. I want young trans people to be able to see that, to know that it is one among many possibilities for them (if that’s what they want). 

I also want a space to reflect on trans-related issues that impact my life now. Unlike when I first began testosterone, I do not have regular milestones or interesting transition-related experiences. However, that doesn’t mean that being trans no longer impacts my life. Instead, it subtly weaves its way through my life and comes up in the least expected ways. I want to document and discuss these things and open conversations about being at this stage in my transition.

To briefly introduce myself, I am married, a dad to a young son, and a professor at a university in the South. I came out as a lesbian at 14 and trans at 19. I transitioned in college, where I was very active in the campus queer community. I’ve been on testosterone (the gel) for about 9 years. During this time, I’ve had periods of being very out and periods of being completely stealth- spending most of my time somewhere in between. I will elaborate on this and what it’s been like in future posts.