There Are More Than Two Genders

If someone ever tries to tell you that there are only two genders you can share some of this information with them.

Humans are born with 46 chromosomes in 23 pairs. The X and Y chromosomes determine a person’s sex. Most women are 46XX and most men are 46XY. Research suggests, however, that in a few births per thousand some individuals will be born with a single sex chromosome (45X or 45Y) (sex monosomies) and some with three or more sex chromosomes (47XXX, 47XYY or 47XXY, etc.) (sex polysomies). In addition, some males are born 46XX due to the translocation of a tiny section of the sex determining region of the Y chromosome. Similarly some females are also born 46XY due to mutations in the Y chromosome. Clearly, there are not only females who are XX and males who are XY, but rather, there is a range of chromosome complements, hormone balances, and phenotypic variations that determine sex.

The biological differences between men and women result from two processes: sex determination and differentiation.(3) The biological process of sex determination controls whether the male or female sexual differentiation pathway will be followed. The process of biological sex differentiation (development of a given sex) involves many genetically regulated, hierarchical developmental steps. More than 95% of the Y chromosome is male-specific (4) and a single copy of the Y chromosome is able to induce testicular differentiation of the embryonic gonad. The Y chromosome acts as a dominant inducer of male phenotype and individuals having four X chromosomes and one Y chromosome (49XXXXY) are phenotypically male. (5) When a Y chromosome is present, early embryonic testes develop around the 10th week of pregnancy. In the absence of both a Y chromosome and the influence of a testis-determining factor (TDF), ovaries develop.

Gender, typically described in terms of masculinity and femininity, is a social construction that varies across different cultures and over time. (6) There are a number of cultures, for example, in which greater gender diversity exists and sex and gender are not always neatly divided along binary lines such as male and female or homosexual and heterosexual. The Berdache in North America, the fa’afafine (Samoan for “the way of a woman”) in the Pacific, and the kathoey in Thailand are all examples of different gender categories that differ from the traditional Western division of people into males and females. Further, among certain North American native communities, gender is seen more in terms of a continuum than categories, with special acknowledgement of “two-spirited” people who encompass both masculine and feminine qualities and characteristics. It is apparent, then, that different cultures have taken different approaches to creating gender distinctions, with more or less recognition of fluidity and complexity of gender.

FTM: My First Testosterone Shot!

After months and months of trying to get a clinic to approve me to start hormone therapy I finally got one. The Planned Parenthood in our area does informed consent now, so you don't need a gender affirmation letter from a therapist anymore to go to them.
I did my labs while at the clinic. My cholesterol levels were good as well as my red blood cell count, so I didn't have wait or take any other meds with it. Incase you don't know taking T can cause your body to make more red blood cells and it can also raise your cholesterol, so you levels have to be good, or you have to get treated for your high cholesterol if you have that.
Anywho, when I got my first shot it was a super happy day. My girlfriend and I had a little celebration. She made me a cute cake.

I am still trying to find a therapist so I can get a letter of recommendation for top surgery, but at least I've got one thing taken care of. That has been a big weight off my shoulders. I feel like things are coming together finally. 

My insurance isn't coving my testosterone or my clinic visits, so it's kind of expensive, but I've just been trying to doing more things to come up with money to pay for it. Hopefully some of the costs will eventually get covered, but I'm guessing since I'm in the south it might take a little longer than the rest of the country. 

Things Are Going Beautifully

This year has had it's ups and downs, like every year I suppose. It couldn't have wrapped up on a better note though. I had issues with one therapist who, just totally dropped me without really telling me why. No big problem though, I just shook it off and kept trudging on my journey to transition.
All that trudging has paid off it seems. I found a new therapist, I have an appointment with him soon. I found a clinic that will prescribe Testosterone on an informed consent basis, which means I don't need a therapists note to start T. I am going into 2016 with high hopes.
I'm also going to be celebrating the New Year on holiday with my beautiful girlfriend. It's one of her dreams to be able to see the Redwood forests in California and she has been wanting to go to the beach for ages.

Google My Dick!

This isn't as dirty as it sounds, more of a funny joke. As of right now if you google the address:

3135 Fortenberry Rd

Kodak, TN 37764

and then zoom in on the satellite image on google maps it looks like a giant dick in the grass. We cut it that way for a whole year just to get it into the google maps. We have since been asked to stop cutting the grass that way by the landlord, but until they update google maps for this area you can still find it. 

FTM Transgender: Having A Bad Day.

this is myself and my lovely girlfriend. 

Here it goes. My first blog about me. I have a vlog as well on YouTube. I am not sure if I am any good at this talking about myself, but here it goes. 

I had a really hard day today. I know I tell people to just shake it off when people are hateful, or when people won't accept you, but I just let it get to me today. A good number of people are supportive of me even though they don't all understand. I am trying to help them understand and explain things. 

The thing that I let get to me is the fact that my uncle not only deleted me, but blocked me on Facebook. According to him I need to find Jesus, yada yada, I'm going to hell. 

Why do people keep telling me I'm going to hell? 

I am usually not the down and out type. I usually shake things off, but I am only human. I can't be strong all the time. So I took a me day. Talked to my friend. Talked to my girlfriend. Tomorrow will be another day. 

I know I am not the only one that has days like this. If you are Transgender, be it FTM or MTF, I just want you to know that if you are feeling down right now you won't always feel that way. There are always going to be hateful people out there, but don't listen to them. Listen to what the people that are there to support you have to say. Build yourself a wall of support to help block out the hate. 

If you feel like you don't have anyone to talk to there are people you can talk to, give the people at the Trans Lifeline a call. 

In later blogs I am just going to talk about my life. Trying to find a doctor, how therapy is going. I will also try to find some resources for other transgender people so it isn't so hard on you. 

Below is a video from my vlog. I'm still not used to talking to a camera.