FTM: Advice if you think you might be transgender

Just some tips and advice for if you're confused about/think you might be transgender

How to make sense of what you're feeling, if you think you might be transgender, or are looking into transitioning.

[jalynnallen]

I feel like everyone will think I'm a joke or think that I'm just someone who wants attention.

[parkerfrench]

I hate that I’m totally ok with other people being trans, but not myself if I am. The thought is so terrifying.

[mylifeisadumpsterfire]

This video helps me so much, I am trans but i didn't feel trapped in the wrong body I just felt i would be happier being a male rather than a female and I would rather have male parts, I dont even completely hate my female parts I just find i would be happier if i had male parts there and I was born a boy. it was really difficult coming to terms with this and im still in a bit of denial and go through body dysphoria but after this video im just gonna try doing what makes me happy.

[thatonekid]

One of the things I am trying is using a masculine name on the internet, this is a great video by the way

[adriananthos]

I've always gone through early childhood like a normal girly girl. Pigtails, tutus, pink, the works. But since I've been exposed to the community when I was about 11, I started realising that the bright pink and ponytails was not me. I started dressing a bit more masculine, but not enough to make any real difference in what people saw me as. I ditched clip bras all together when I was 12, and started binding with 2 sports bras. My mom got mad at me whenever she caught me doing it, but I didn't care. I feel like my dad's a lot more accepting than my mom is, but even he still says I never showed signs of being trans when I was younger.
Well, they wouldn't know, because I hid it really well. When I was about 8, I started noticing that I wanted to hang around the boys more than the girls. I wan'ted them to just...Like me, and let me join in on what they did. Of course, they never did, and that's when it kinda sunk in that maybe what I was feeling wasn't normal. So I hid it until I was 12, when I finally told my parents how I felt, and a whole other shitshow started.
My mom started thinking that I was saying I was trans to fit in with the kids in my SAGA group. Which, truth be told, I wasn't. I actually hated most of the kids in the group because they either ignored or insulted me on a weekly basis. So I've had to try and convince my parents that I don't fucking know what I am, and that at this point I'm a potato. There's times when I'm not even trying to pass, and strangers will refer to me as male, and it makes me so happy, but then my siblings/parents/unknowing friends will be like "Lol what? That's a girl!" And I hate it.
Writing this out...I've gotten it. It's official people, I want to be a boy.
Thank you for reading this rant/unwanted life story. I appreciate it <3

[living]

I cry sometimes when talking about this... :/

[jameson]

Hey. I was born as a female, and I don't feel comfortable as a girl at all. I want to transition to male, but my mom is really homophobic and transphobic. My step brothers boyfriend is trans and he gave me one of his binders, but I have to hide it from my mom at all times. Even when it's on my body. I wear sweatshirts and layer my clothes so she can't tell I'm wearing one. Im really scared though, because when summer comes, I won't be able to do that and she's going to see the binder and send me back to therapy after screaming at me. (She sent me there the first time because she saw I was binding with 2 sports bras) I don't know what to do because nobody knows that I feel this way. And I'm to much of a baby to tell anyone, do I guess I'll just have to get kicked out of the house? I have no idea. Pls help.

[michaelandrews]

My dad just thinks it’s a “phase” and that I’m being influenced by people on the internet. He keeps telling me all of the bad stuff that could happen, like if I ever get the surgery and not feel right. Or that there’s no point not in getting top surgery if I’m not getting bottom surgery, witch is not true at all. I’m only 12, I’m not getting surgery now. I’m not even 100% sure about it yet .I keep telling him to stop talking about surgeries but every time the topic of me wanting to be a boy comes up, he talks about all of the bad stuff. I just want to buy clothes from the boys section, talk to my guy friends in the boys washroom, like they do. I’m excluded from their chats in there. I want a chest binder. All that fun stuff. I wish I could but I can’t. The only one of those options I can do it get boys clothing. Witch rarely happens. I have to drag my parents over to the boys section only to get one t-shirt. There was only one time I went into the boys washroom before. That was when me and my friends stayed at school for study hall. Thats pretty much where you stay for an extra hour to study with friends. Both me and one of my guy friends had to use the washroom so we both went. He asked if I wanted to use the boys washroom like him, since I’ve been telling him about wanting to be a boy. When I went to the washroom I just felt so happy. I couldn’t stop smiling after that. I felt like myself. It’s funny how small things like using the washroom can make a person feel amazing. What I’m trying to say is, you do you boo. Do what makes you feel happy. Dress in whatever clothing you want, as long as it is appropriate of course. Be whatever you want to be. Hang out with whoever you want to hang out with. Just be yourself. It may be hard, I know how it feels. After all, I’m still going through it. But we can all do it together. Don’t let anyone tell you who you are. You’re the only one that really knows you.

[kjlm]

Thank you. I needed that. I’ve lately been kind of obsessed with having to find out wether I’m trans or not. And honestly, I don’t know. There are times when I think “yes, definitely, that’s me!”, And others when I’m doubting everything. Sometimes I don’t know if my feelings are “real”.
I’ve decided I’d jus try stuff out. I’m probably gonna cut my hair short, and see how I feel. I’m just really afraid of what people might think of me. That I only want attention. That I’m trying to be someone I’m not. Honestly, i don’t even know what I’m so scared of, it doesn’t really make sense actually...

[oliver]

Hi, I'm a trans male, born female. Ever since I was really young I wanted to be a boy. I dressed like a boy and I played with boys. I sobbed whenever my mom tried to get me to wear a dress. When I was in eighth grade I decided to come out. I cut my hair super short, shaved in that popular pixie cut like style and I wrote a speech. Then I chickened out because of my dads family. They are pretty homophobic and awful. I started wearing skirts because my mom said that if I didn't people would think I was a boy and I didn't want that. I did want that. I started chest binding a few months after that. All DIY, Mulan type. I look back now and realize how dangerous that was but I didn't care. First I came out to me friends then to my family a few years later. They were extremely supportive. Many people doubted me because I am a gay trans male but I'm happy with my choice and I feel much happier now.

[cryptidecho]

I'm questioning. I was born a girl but I'm leaning towards identifying as a boy but I'm too nervous to actually tell someone. I don't know anyone who is transphobic so I have no reason to be scared. Any advice to help make me more comfortable

[allium_fox]

I used to be that one kid who was basically who the stereotype on what little girls was based on. Due to that, my recent struggles with gender have been difficult since I've heard that a good amount of the transmasc community was more drawn to things labeled as boy things while I was happy to be girly even if now it makes me kinda dysphoric. Glad I found this video even if it's a bit older.

[kaitlyntilman]

Hey! One of my best friends is FTM. He isn't old enough to go through the transformation. His family is very, very homophobic. He cannot come out because they will hate him, and they would even send him to a therapy-thing.. trying to change his mind. Earlier tonight, his parents and family (since they do not know about him being trans) were saying he needs to be a ‘better girl’ and get a boyfriend and to act more lady-like and that he is disgusting and acts like a boy. He gets so depressed and suicidal from his family, and I don't know how to help him. I hate seeing him hurt... and I don't know what to do for him... any advice?

[romanc.]

This is exactly what I needed to hear. I've been questioning for almost 3 or so years, and everyday I just imagine how happy I would be male.

I keep going back and forth, and I'll probably go back again, but I think I might truly be trans. So for the first time I've ever done this:

Hi, I'm Roman (M) and I'm transgender. Nice to meet you!

[lilpixelpirate]

Hi. First, I just wanted to say that all of the stories in the comment section have really helped me, and I decided might as well contribute my story/position.
So, I was born as a female, but I don't want to be a girl. I want to be a boy. I first started thinking, "Hey, maybe I'm transgender, " about 3 months ago. Since then I have come out to my close friends, and they accept me. But even though I have come out to some people, I'm still not 100% sure I'm trans at times. It's confusing. Like at some points I am very masculine... actually I am pretty much always masculine.
When I was younger I didn't really think about whether I was a boy or a girl. Actually, a few times when I was a kid I thought about, "What if I was a boy?" I tended to play with more masculine toys, (toy cars, and... stuff; I can't remember much). I was forced to wear girls clothing, which I never exactly liked, but I wore it because I didn't think I had a choice in whether I wore girls or boys clothing. More recently I have started to wear clothes that makes me look more masculine. Mostly just border shorts/boys swimming trunks, with a gender-neutral t-shirt in more "masculine colours", (red, blue, black... idk really) I also have short hair. I got short hair *before* I even knew what transgender was. All that I knew was that I wanted short hair, a boys haircut even.
I've always been considered a Tomboy. I had a guy friend in elementary school, but we later stopped talking cause he had other friends that he'd rather hang out with. In 7th grade (I'm in 7th grade), I finally got into a friend group. My friend group is all-girls (4 people total, including me) but they are very much like me. I get along with them very well.
Now, the dreaded topic of my body, and my dysphoria. I have never liked the idea of me being feminine or having a feminine body in any way, (wearing dresses/skirts, wearing makeup, having boobs, having prominent hips, ect.). I've never liked my soft, round face/body and I wish that it'd become rougher. Luckily, because of my genes, I can grow a moustache, without going on T, but it's a bit strange when the people that don't know that I'm trans make a comment like, "You know you have a bit of a moustache, right?" then I respond with, "I know." Yeah... Anyway, my friends are now all calling me by my preferred name and pronouns (Maxx and him/he/his), and I like it so much more than [Deadname] and she/her pronouns. I wear a binder every time I go outside. I was able to convince my grandma to get me a binder by telling her it was just a type of sports bra.
AND, good luck to anyone else reading through this comment section. Hope my story or someone else's story helps you figure out whatever you are going through.
:]

[RoachyChameleon]

Wow, these comments have really helped me. I thought I was wrong, I feel like I'd prefer to be male but it was something I had to love 100%, and that I couldn't feel feminine at all. Writing that down seems ridiculous now. After watching some of Jamie's videos and reading these comments, I think I might be ready to talk to some of my close friends about this. Thank you all for sharing your stories and feelings

[KimJansenn]

Hi Jamie, I recently stumbled upon your youtube account. For school we have to search news articles and make a report about it. Yes there's a news article about you and your transition here in the Netherlands! I might've picked your story because my teacher told me to stop messing about and search for real work and this is me protesting against him. But I've also picked your story because I'm quite interested by it.
I've always called myself a boy-girl. Not because I'm transgender but because I'm a girl who never played with dolls but rather played with lego or cars. You'll also never see me wearing make-up and I'll NEVER wear a dress... bbrrr only the thought of that. But back to the point. Jamie, you got me - a 15 year old dutch girl - interested in your story, I'm making a school project about you. I hope you don't mind. You're awesome, keep up the good work! :) (also my younger brother's name is Jamie so your name is great)

[zvoid_error]

I'm 18 and just finding out I'm trans and even though my mom is very blatantly not transphobic I'm afraid to open up because it'll just cause stress and anxiety so I'm just waiting to start transitioning till I leave for college 😔

[noyassidehoassahi]

Okay so uhm, I read all the comments about their life stories and I honestly cried because there were quite a few a relate to. 1. the girly girl- When I was younger I always found the dolls, babies, and dresses so amazing and cool. But then when I was in 2nd grade I wore dresses to school everyday(Btw, I am a girl) A girl asked me "why are you always wearing dresses" I didn't answer because I didn't know how to respond. I don't know if I'm going through a faze but I don't really feel exactly 'right' in my body. I've always had bigger "female parts" and they don't feel correct. My mom always wanted a boy for cars, trucks, dinosaurs, video games. I've always liked more boy-ish clothes and stuff. Today, I finally asked my mom about binding for 'a cosplay' but it was really to see if my body felt right. I've always had better relationships with men(as friends) then girls. The girls were always too focused on boys, or dances, or even social media and looking pretty. Never once in my school life have I been not insecure about my body. 2- My name feels different. I hate it. The name 'Madison' feels way too formal and stuffy.

I don't know. I might just be a tomboy or just in a phase. If you read this thank you!!

[yoshi]

I really think I'm trans but my mom always talks about how she's so happy about having a daughter and how she'd be sad if she only had boys and it's just so hard for me to understand myself and how I'm feeling when she's like this. I have nobody to tell about it either