I have a link to XX Boys in the sidebar, because I know that being able to see images of trans guys of all kinds when I was just starting out was incredibly inspiring. However, I just learnt that the Kael T. Block isto put it bluntly, a rapist [ETA: I have no idea what the current sitch is with this]. So I am wondering whether I should take the link down. After all, the site is a bit of a money-making venture at this point, and I know that I personally never visit it any more.
The Successful TransMen page is another one I'm not so comfortable with. I'm very much at a stage where I feel like a bunch of pictures of trans guys is not saying anything much or doing anything helpful (and I feel that way about a lot of trans-related media). Then again, I know that for some guys it's really important to see other trans guys and to know that they are not alone (because fuck, if you don't know where to look it's difficult to find affirming images).
In fact there are a few links I never visit or don't agree with (hello FTMA/MTRA). Maybe it's time to do some housekeeping.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
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4 comments:
I read about that today, too! What a shock; the XX Boys site was a great help when I was coming to terms with my identity. I had only seen images of Jamison Green and a few other mature guys, and I couldn't imagine myself looking like any of them.
Personally, I'm not a fan of the idea behind the Successful TransMen site because I feel that it defines what "successful" means; and I think each individual has the right to decide what course of life is best for him/her/hirself. But like you said, it's an important page for many guys; and if it helps them, I'm glad such a site exists.
yeah, the successful transmen page is really odd. it seems that the most helpful indicator of success is, in fact, a beard. OH NOES, I AM FAILING! more seriously, though, i know a few guys who sent exactly that page to their parents/families when they began transitioning in order to debunk the whole myth that trans people can never do anything worthwhile, and will end up being miserable forever.
that is one reason i really liked xx boys, too - these were guys i could imagine being like, being friends with, having conversations with. they didn't all have beards!
i think i need to think more about this before i decide whether to remove the links.
I have never checked out that site before and probably wont bother either,
FOr me I was fortunate that there were a few other guys at TLC in melbourne back in the mid 1990's and we didnt have the same reliance on the internet as exists now more than 12 years later.
Yeah I was completely devastated to learn about Block, mostly because the images of semi-femme transguys made me feel like I was sort of normal... Le sigh. Any site with the title "Successful Transmen" is unlikely to appeal to me, especially since "successful" is such a relative term.
Never heard of the other sites.
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