Being transgender is something that is not widely understood, even by the people who experience it. There are many myths floating around that paint a very incomplete and incorrect picture as it pertains to transgender people. This picture is full of misconceptions that I intend to make amends to. There are many myths pertaining to both transgender men and transgender women, however, there are more myths that I am familiar with that pertain to transgender men. You’ll find below a list of incorrect five facts about transgender men and the corrections to these facts. Ready? Let’s go!
- All transgender men bind: This is not true, some trans men chose not to bind their chests for reasons of medical conditions, comfort purposes, or simply the lack of desire to do so.
- All transgender men are biological females who are tall, skinny, and appear as somewhat androgynous: Trans men come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. They can be tall or short, small or wide, and they can even be the most flamboyant and otherwise “girly” person you have ever met. Just because a certain person presents their gender one way does not mean that they identify that same way.
- All transgender men want penises: To gain the genitalia of the opposite sex requires a very invasive operation that not all trans men are willing, or even wanting, to do. It also requires a psychological commitment that not everyone can handle.
- All transgender men are attracted to girls: Sexuality has absolutely nothing to do with gender. Any person, cisgendered, meaning that they feel they are the gender they were assigned at birth, or transgender, can be attracted to any sex and or gender.
- All transgender men want “the surgery”: “The surgery,” for trans men, is not one quick and easy procedure. It requires two parts, top surgery, and bottom surgery. The top surgery often requires several procedures and is exceptionally invasive. So, this brings us back to number three.
