Trans man

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Not to be confused with Transhuman.

A trans man (sometimes trans-man or transman) is a female-to-male (FTM or F2M) transgender person who was assigned female at birth (AFAB/DFAB) but has a male gender identity. The label of transgender man is not always interchangeable with that of transsexual man, although the two labels are often used in this way. Transgender is an umbrella term that includes different types of gender variant people (including transsexual people). Many trans men choose to undergo surgical or hormonal transition, or both (see sex reassignment therapy), to alter their appearance in a way that aligns with their gender identity more appropriately or alleviates gender dysphoria.

Being transgender is linked but independent to sexual orientation. A trans man may identify as heterosexual, homosexual, gay, bisexual, pansexual, polysexual, asexual, demisexual, etc., and some trans men consider conventional sexual orientation labels inadequate or inapplicable to them.[1]

In the United States, the ratio of trans men within the general population is unclear, but estimates range between 1:2,000 and 1:100,000.[2][3][4]


Thomas Beatie at Stockholm Pride 2011, known in the media as the Pregnant Man, is a trans man who gave birth to 3 children
Lucas Silveira, lead singer/guitarist of The Cliks.

The term trans man is used as a short form for either identity (transsexual man and transgender man).[5] Trans men may identify as transsexual, as transgender, neither, or both.[6] Transgender man is an umbrella term that may include anybody who was assigned female at birth (called afab), but identifies as male. For instance, some androgynous, bigender, and genderqueer people might identify as transgender.[5] Because transgender is an umbrella term, it is imprecise and does not adequately describe specific identities and experiences.[7]

The term transsexual originated in the medical and psychological communities. However, unlike the term transgender, transsexual is not an umbrella term, and many transgender people do not identify as such.[6] Transsexual is a term for afab and amab people alike who feel their sex organs do not reflect their gender and have chosen to change some aspect of their body; it is an older term, with GLAAD stating that it is "still preferred by some people who have permanently changed - or seek to change - their bodies through medical interventions (including but not limited to hormones and/or surgeries)."[6]

The FTM community coined the term transfag to describe a trans man attracted to other men. However, this phrase is still controversial because of its previous usage as a derogatory slur directed towards trans women.


Buck Angel, a female-to-male (FTM) transsexual, adult film producer.

Originally, the term trans men referred specifically to female-to-male transsexual people who underwent hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or surgery (SRS), or both. The definition of transition has broadened to include theories of psychological development or complementary methods of self-acceptance.[8][9]

Transsexual men may seek medical interventions such as hormones and surgery to make their bodies as congruent as possible with their gender presentation. However, many transgender and transsexual men cannot afford or choose not to undergo surgery or hormone replacement therapy.

Many who have not undergone top surgery choose to bind their breasts. There are a few different methods of binding, including using sports bras and specially made binders (which can be vest-type, or wrap-around style). Tape or bandages, although often depicted in popular culture, should never be used for binding as they tighten with wear and compress the ribcage, and could result in injury.

Some trans men might also decide to pack, to create a male like bulge in the crotch of clothing. However, this is not universal. Trans men who decide to pack may use anything from rolled up socks to specially made packers, which resemble a penis. Some packers are also created for trans men to be able to urinate through them (stand-to-pee, or STP, devices).

Transitioning might involve some or all of the following steps:[10]

  • Sex reassignment therapy: hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and/or surgery (SRS)
  • Legal affirmation: name and (sometimes) sex marker correction in legal identification documents.[11][12] Being socially accepted as male (sometimes known as passing) may be challenging for trans men who have not undergone HRT and/or surgery.[11][12] Some trans men may choose to present as female in certain social situations (e.g. at work).[11][12] After physical transition, trans men usually live full-time as male.[11][12]

Notable trans men[edit]


See also[edit]


  1. ^ "Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Definitions | Resources | Human Rights Campaign". Retrieved 2015-02-22. 
  2. ^ "Estimating the Prevalence of Transsexualism". Retrieved 2015-02-22. 
  3. ^ Joanne Herman (2006-05-11). "There are more of us than you think". Retrieved 2015-02-22. 
  4. ^ [1][dead link]
  5. ^ a b "what are Answers to Your Questions About Transgender Individuals and Gender Identity". APA. Retrieved Jan 26, 2015. 
  7. ^ "Hudson's Guide: FTM Basics: Terminology". Retrieved 2015-02-22. 
  9. ^ "Glossary". Retrieved 2015-02-22. 
  10. ^ [3][dead link]
  11. ^ a b c d Transgender emergence: therapeutic guidelines for working with gender-variant people and their families (2004), Arlene Istar Lev, Routledge, ISBN 0-7890-2117-X, 9780789021175.
  13. ^ [4][dead link]
  14. ^ "Does Gender Matter? by Ben A Barres". Retrieved 2013-05-18. 
  15. ^ Wilson, Cintra (2011-05-06). "Chaz Bono, Reluctant Role Model". The New York Times. 
  16. ^ Cameron, Loren (1996). Body Alchemy. Cleis Press. ISBN 1-57344-062-0. 
  17. ^ "Ryan Cassata". Ryan Cassata. Retrieved 2013-05-18. 
  18. ^ Web Easy Professional Avanquest Publishing USA, Inc. (2013-03-01). "Home". Retrieved 2013-05-18. 
  19. ^ "History of Rap Music". KatastropheRap. Retrieved 2013-05-18. 
  20. ^ "Price Request - BuyDomains". Retrieved 2015-02-22. 
  21. ^ "Chris Mosier Launches". Retrieved 13 February 2015. 
  22. ^ (2013-01-18). "FTM: Scouting the Unknown". Retrieved 2013-05-18. 
  23. ^ Middlebrook, Diane Wood (1999). Suits Me: The Double Life of Billy Tipton. Mariner Books. ISBN 978-0-395-95789-9. 
  24. ^ "dellagracevolcano". Retrieved 2013-05-18. 
  25. ^ Valerio, Max Wolf (2006). The Testosterone Files. Seal Press. ISBN 978-1-58005-173-6. 
  26. ^ "Just Call Me Kade". YouTube. 2012-08-30. Retrieved 2015-01-29. 
  27. ^ "Gender Rebel". Discovery Health. 2006. 
  28. ^ "Mom, I Didn't Kill Your Daughter". San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. 2008. 
  29. ^ [5][dead link]
  30. ^ "Boy I Am (2006)". Retrieved 22 February 2015. 
  31. ^ "Pregnant Man". September Films. 2008. 
  32. ^ "Still Black: A Portrait of Black Transmen (2008)". Retrieved 22 February 2015. 
  33. ^ "Becoming Chaz (2011)". Retrieved 22 February 2015. 
  34. ^ [6][dead link]

External links[edit]

Further reading[edit]