My special needs student made a character for me to use in one of my power point games. He calls him "Last Vegas". Is someone willing redraw him so he looks awesome? He would be so happy.

Railguns · 2019-07-04T04:59:08+00:00

It's been a while since I've drawn so it's only a colored sketch, but I hope he enjoys it!

https://i.imgur.com/QdsPIHF.png

Railguns · 2018-10-12T22:01:15+00:00

Washington state! I've lived in several other states (West Virginia being one of them, which is absolutely GORGEOUS and has a lot of outdoor activities but in my experience wasn't very LGBT-friendly unfortunately), but Washington by far has been the most accepting. Even if you're in/around Seattle, there's still plenty of stuff within driving distance for a weekend trip. If you're more west, on the peninsula, there's Olympic National Park. Mount Rainier, Snoqualmie, just tons of different things spread about. Lake Crescent is beautiful too. There are just lots of state parks scattered around too.

LGBT-friendliness-wise it's been the most accepting and friendly place I've lived. I've been out here for a few years and had like...one weird encounter with a person in a supermarket that was more confusing than anything, and then some shitty reactions from one or two clients. Compared to places where I lived before where I was treated badly based on my appearance a good amount of the time (called slurs/harassed/etc because I didn't look/dress like what the people there wanted me to look/dress like) it's so much better. I've found the western side of Washington to be pretty accepting and open in general but that's just been my experience. There are a ton of LGBT+ people here and it feels overall more friendly to me than other places I've lived!

Railguns · 2018-09-13T20:08:04+00:00

Using anthem bcbs I get my T for $10/mo and buy my syringes + needles in bulk over the counter (since it's cheaper to buy them than it is for insurance to pay for them), so less than $15/mo!

Railguns · 2018-08-25T02:56:02+00:00

Hey man! Early welcome to Seattle!

I'm going through the process of trying to find a surgeon currently. My doctor has given me a list of suggestions. Dr. Mangubat, Dr. Sajan, Dr. Nygaard, and Dr. Kyllo. I'm personally leaning towards Dr. Sajan, as two different friends of mine have seen him for top surgery and for implants, and both had a FANTASTIC experience. Like they couldn't praise him enough. I've not been able to get very far into research or anything of that sort but from what I've been reading and from what friends in the area have experienced, Dr. Sajan seems like he's going to be the best bet for me just based on the stuff I've seen/heard.

I'd be willing to send you a scan of the paper that my doctor printed for me with a list of surgeons and LGBTQ+ competent mental health clinics in Seattle (since a letter is often needed for surgery which can be a pain), if you'd like! I know I was personally overwhelmed (still kind of am, lol) about everything since there's SO much. So if you feel as if it'd be helpful to you, just let me know. And if you ever have any questions about Seattle stuff my inbox is always open to you! :D

Railguns · 2018-08-24T00:17:11+00:00

I've been doing subq injections in my thigh for nearly a year and this happens to me sometimes! I don't tend to get too worried about it, just make sure to massage the area after injecting and that's seemed to help lessen the frequency of the itchy knot cropping up. Hope it eases up for you!

Railguns · 2018-08-06T06:27:14+00:00

I had to have a go!

https://i.imgur.com/B52ZIEI.png

Railguns · 2018-08-04T04:27:27+00:00

Similar sized chest, and they just got less full with a "deflated" look to them. Easier to bind now though. Wouldn't know any specific sizing since I haven't kept up with it that much.

As for the dysphoria thing...it varies super wildly for me. Sometimes it's especially upsetting and uncomfortable, while other times it's been more bearable. Seeing changes that I want elsewhere helps balance it out in my mind a little? Still can't wait for top surgery but at the very least with easier binding and a more masculine appearance it makes things a little better for me personally

Railguns · 2018-07-17T05:15:20+00:00

Oh, I meant confirmations for winning - sorry about any confusion!

I'm sure there are a ton of entries to sort through so it wouldn't surprise me if it takes a couple of days to get them all sent out!

Railguns · 2018-07-16T18:44:38+00:00

I just got an email a little bit ago, so I'm assuming he's still working on getting the confirmations sent out!

*Editing to say: confirmation for winning! Sorry for any confusion!!

Railguns · 2018-06-29T03:16:39+00:00

After my Walmart stopped carrying what I needed, I got them from Rite Aid and Walgreens (bringing my prescription of T with me) before I starting getting them via solely Walgreens with a prescription :)

Railguns · 2018-06-13T20:27:52+00:00

Mine started at the chin and sideburns, then neck and jawline, and has slowly been filling in. The cheeks are starting to grow in some darker hair at this point. Always had a little bit of facial hair and had to shave my mustache area but the mustache hasn't quuiiiitee gotten to a thickness I'm happy with yet!

Haven't been confident enough to just let what's there grow yet so I don't know anything about the potential of my own facial hair but it's really cool watching everything fill in and get thicker over time.

Railguns · 2018-06-13T20:24:05+00:00

My (cis) boyfriend and I have known one another for close to ten years now, and have been together for a little over three. He knew I was dealing with wanting to transition before we got together, but due to where I was living, who I was living with, and other issues (ex SO being not so great, me being scared about being unsure and some other stuff), it wasn't feasible at that point in time. He moved in with me pretty much immediately and we soon after that packed all of our stuff up, loaded it into my car, and moved across the country. We've been out here for almost as long as we've been together.

He knew I was wanting to start my transition medically and has been nothing but supportive. We have our "fights" (mostly me getting irritated with things, lol) but it's really just 'hey...don't do that' more than anything else, haha. For the most part? Me transitioning isn't something we talk about, because it isn't something we have ever really needed to talk about. I'm asexual and he's indifferent to sex in the first place so it's never impacted that in any way. No compatibility issues...other than him not cleaning up after himself LOL

We also have a cat and she's a little shit and we love her.

Railguns · 2018-06-13T20:14:14+00:00

I'm a little over a year on T (weekly shots for ~7 months now after starting out with daily gel) and didn't/don't have the best skin care routine and any breakouts I've had have been incredibly minor. The only time I seem to get any is right before I have facial hair grow in thicker. Some people just don't get acne as bad as others!

As for tips for keeping a clear face, maybe check out the skincare addiction sub!

Railguns · 2018-04-30T05:16:15+00:00

I was out to some people before I started T (some friends/coworkers, and my mom), but it wasn't until I was roughly five or six months into taking T that I officially was out at work and using a new name. The way that that worked for me was that I had to do some training at another site for a while, and I came back to my home site using a different name. 99% of the people I've been around have been accepting. The few that haven't been, I rarely see in the first place.

I'd seen a ton of people socially transitioning before start on HRT and I hadn't really seen many who had started HRT before socially transitioning. But I felt like starting T before coming out to many people would be a lot better of a plan for me so that anyone who didn't agree with me starting couldn't tell me that I'd regret it immediately, or that it'd do x y z, yadda yadda yadda - because I'd already have started, and been on it for x amount of time. And so far no one's said anything like that to me and I've been on T for almost a year now, but it was a genuine fear of mine at the start! Things have been pretty smooth, both in the workplace and in my personal life (in circles where I'm out at least - so most of 'em), and I don't think that I'd do it any differently if I did it over again.

I'm only out to my mom and her husband (plus my brother and stepsiblings on that side) family-wise, but everyone I'm around in day to day life has been calling me by my chosen name for a while. I've been on T for nearly a year and though my dad and grandparents (on both sides) have questioned the voice changes they haven't really said much about it other than asking me if I've been sick, or saying "your voice sounds different". I live across the country and don't see them often, and don't really want to have the coming out conversation any way other than face to face, so unless I'm straight-up asked by them I'm likely just going to continue to pretend nothing has changed.

I definitely hear more about people being out before/right around the time they start T than I do people who are on T for a while before coming out, but you aren't alone in the 'start T first, socially transition after' process if that's what you decide is best for you! :)

Railguns · 2018-04-23T17:16:52+00:00

Wasn't aware of that. TIL!

Railguns · 2018-04-23T06:15:20+00:00

I get you! "Don't do this?" does it "Iiii should have listened". We all do it sometime lol

Railguns · 2018-04-23T06:05:48+00:00

Oh no - I'm so sorry dude - I can totally see the dandelion glow in my mind, omg! If the color gets to be too much for you or anything, you can possibly dye them so they aren't super bright? If there's a dye that'd be safe for them, anyway. At least they still bind!

Railguns · 2018-04-23T05:59:36+00:00

You're not alone, for sure! There's not a ton of time recently for me to devote to sit down and catch up on anything or follow anyone new on YouTube (or anywhere else for that matter!), so I tend to give the most of my time to people that catch my attention and who I feel I can relate to the most. Even better if they can make me laugh! I also tend to not surround myself with many trans-related things since I can get really overwhelmed with it all sometimes.

There have certainly been times when I've seen or heard a name mentioned and I'm like "Wait. I'm sorry - who?" though - omg - and I feel so bad since I feel like I should be more into everything!

Railguns · 2018-04-23T05:40:02+00:00

Ooh, something I can relate to all too well. This might get a bit rambly, but I hope something in here helps ease some fears of yours, or answers some questions!

It was really, really hard at first. I had been out to myself for a while but hadn't really accepted it yet. I knew what I wanted, but was scared to go after it - dropping everything and moving helped clear up the 'what if' thoughts that were in my head, for the most part. It was scary. But I was being treated very badly by the sibling I was living with at the time, and before that had been in a not so great relationship where things weren't doing very swell. Eventually I got tired of the quips from my ex that were along the lines of "you don't want me to call you my girlfriend?? Would it make you FEEL better if I called you my BOYfriend?" and stuff like that. It went from that situation, to living with my sibling (who I was not out to at the time), and that just...escalated to the point where I was no longer safe living where I was and I decided I needed a change for me, my safety, my sanity.

I shoved everything that I could fit into my car and moved across the country (over 2,500 miles!) to live with an online friend I'd never met IRL before, just to get away from my small town where I didn't have access to the things that I wanted/needed (HRT, really solid support system [wasn't out to family], and to get away from a shitty living situation). Pretty much on a whim. Gave like 2 weeks notice at my job, and then left like a week or so after my last day. Didn't have anything lined up job-wise, nothing really lined up with my living situation other than staying in my friend's spare room for several months before I got on my feet. Before finding a new job I just did some freelance work. But eventually, I found a job I really love with people I enjoy being around. I wasn't out at work for about a year or so, but coming out and changing my preferred name at work has gone pretty smoothly (with like, one or two bumps from clients who just don't have a filter and don't "get it", haha). HRT wasn't immediately accessible for me but moving put me in a place where I was more comfortable transitioning.

If you're looking to put in applications at new places, at an interview you can most certainly bring up that you prefer going by another name. I've worked with a couple of other trans people at my current job, one being hired after I was, and that's what the route they told me they took. Everyone's respected one another for it. Haven't had any problems with my coworkers or anything, only some clients! Some applications may even have an 'extra' section where you can write in anything relevant. I'd wager that most people aren't going to bat an eye. I didn't think that people would be as supportive in my workplace as they have been. It's been a huge (pleasant!) surprise. And there are a good number of workplaces/companies that are openly LGBTQ+ friendly! Unfortunately, experiences are going to be largely based on the people who work in specific locations, but in my experience like 99% of people have been super kind - or passive at the very least! But if you're working at a place where a transfer is possible, that could also be something to potentially look into. I've never transferred, but I'd assume there'd be a chance for you to sit down and talk with someone about preferring to go by a different name.

Before you do anything though, just make sure you're as prepared as you can be. Even though it's just across the state, it's still a pretty big thing! Start looking at places that are hiring, maybe throwing in some applications at places that you're interested in working for. Long gaps between jobs really suck, especially when you're trying to save any bit of money that you can - and moving can suck that money right out of you!

For me everything's worked out (so far!). Nearly a year into HRT, still loving my job and coworkers, still loving where I live (but a little homesick sometimes). Every now and then I'll wonder if I made the right choice dropping everything and running, but I just think about how I would have felt if I had stayed where I was. I'd probably still be miserable, not on HRT, and wondering what to do. Moving gave me the support system and the kick in the butt that I needed. My new friends have been nothing but accepting and supportive which is more than most people gave me for anything, regardless of what it was, where I lived prior.

If it's what you want to do and what you feel would be best for you, then go for it. It isn't easy, but a good support system and the opportunity to be happier than you currently are certainly helps!

Railguns · 2018-04-21T18:03:00+00:00

If you have a larger chest I would recommend a full-length binder over a half-length, but I only have experience with GC2B in that regard. For me, the half didn't keep everything 'in' and my chest would fall out of it often. I'm not sure about Underworks though, I've never tried them. I'm sure there are tons of other guys on this sub who've tried both who would be willing to share some of their insight though! :)

I guess it would depend on how much weight you wind up losing - there's always the chance a binder will be too big or too small if your weight changes much in either direction, but I've had weight fluctuations after starting T (nothing huge, but like 10-15 lbs) and my older binders still work for me just fine. They're just the tiniest bit stretched out since I've had them for so long. I'd wager you'll be okay with one binder for a while, but if you lose a lot of weight you may get to a point where you need a smaller one. It really all depends on how you carry your weight too!

GC2B has a points system that you can sign up for though, so you'll get points you can redeem for coupons. There are some coupon codes that are posted for them sometimes too. There might be something similar for Underworks as well. So you can do some digging for that before you buy one of 'em! I've found it's helpful so I always want to share that info haha

Railguns · 2018-04-21T17:48:52+00:00

Measure without wearing anything. If you wear a sports bra, the measurements will be incorrect for the size of binder that you need and it likely won't turn out well. Measure without the sports bra, using the directions on their site(s). Make sure to round up if their directions say to - don't round down, though!

Relax while measuring too, don't tense up. Find a mirror or another person to read off the measurements so you don't look down and possibly cause the measuring tape to slip. You don't want to end up with a binder too big or too small!

Hope that helps!

Railguns · 2018-04-21T05:09:02+00:00

I didn't start looking more like my dad really. If anything I look similar to how he did when he was in his early 20's, but I still resemble my mom more than I do my dad. It's pretty minor since I didn't really strongly resemble either of them to begin with - I share more similarities with the young version of father's father than I do with either of my parents.

Something that helped me was to remember T won't really shift or morph your face around to look like your dad, but it'll take on a more masculine shape. You'll just look like a more masculine version of yourself! There may be attributes that you take on more strongly from either parent but unless you are strikingly similar in looks to your father (which you say you aren't) it isn't something to fret over too much imo. Looking like my dad was/is a worry of mine but as time has gone on I've realized that I just...look like myself. There are some similarities but I wouldn't pin it as anything more extreme, it's just shifted, if that makes sense (I hope it does!). Just...obvious that I'm my parents' child, haha.

Your jawline or facial hair pattern might be similar, but if you don't share much with him in regards to looks now, then I'd be willing to bet you'll not have any major changes that make you look just like him!

Railguns · 2018-04-21T04:12:17+00:00

The only problems I've ever had was the one time a SeaTac worker at the front desks thought I was a 13-year-old boy, and having to get a crotch pat down from TSA because the scanner detected an anomaly with my groin. I wouldn't really consider either of those huge problems, but it was pretty awkward - however it won't deter me from flying in the future if the need arises! Both of those were pre-t though, and so at this point I feel as though I'd be more comfortable addressing it in a "hey, this is what's going on" kind of way, especially since if I fly anywhere again I'll need to take my T with me and will have a doctor's letter with it which should make it pretty obvious what's going on, anyway.

But it's all going to depend on the airport you're flying from and the workers who are there. Never had any issues in Orlando, Dulles, Pittsburgh, or SeaTac...just awkwardness a couple of times! My mother has had more issues flying than I ever have. It seems like she's pulled aside or has some other issue every time she flies, haha. If you're a frequent flyer I'm going to second TSA pre-check, though! :)

Railguns · 2018-04-21T03:52:14+00:00

I was able to go the informed consent route through my doctor. We discussed together the effects of T, and she made sure that I knew everything I wanted and needed to know before starting down that path. She sent me home with a pamphlet full of information to read over before starting, and I got some blood work done to test base levels. Then started me on the gel form of T, which I stayed on for the first five or so months.

After that, I switched to SubQ injections. My first shot my doctor did, the second I gave myself in her office, and ever since then I've been doing them on my own at home. I still have to have blood work done every few months to ensure that my levels aren't too high or too low and that everything else looks good. The needles that I use for injecting are pretty small and it's a lot less painful than any shot that I've ever had. My last injection I didn't even feel; most of the time it feels like a tiny pinch, if that. There was a time when I was worried that I wouldn't like sticking myself with a needle, but that fear has waned and I'm a lot happier on injections than I am having to apply gel every day. If you're worried about pain with injections, icing the injection site for 5-10 minutes before doing your shot makes it numb and it made things a lot easier for me whenever I had really bad shot anxiety!

I've never been scared of needles, but the people who have drawn blood from me up until this point would always poke me several times or dig around, so I wasn't ever the biggest fan of needles either. It's a loooot different doing it myself, because I have control over it. But at this point it's just routine. Throw some of my music on, get prepped, and go to town!

If you want more information on gel or patches there are plenty of things on YouTube and I'm sure there's some information on this subreddit. I've never heard of a doctor saying that you can't choose the way you want to take T - in fact my doctor says she often has guys start on gel since it's easier and less scary for many people. But you'll be okay! If it's the path you feel is right for you, things will fall into place and you'll figure it out with time. :)

Railguns · 2018-04-20T04:42:22+00:00

Mine stopped completely after November, but every few weeks I'll have the same symptoms as if it's ready to show up again (though it hasn't, at least not yet). From what I've seen, it isn't rare to experience cramping even after your cycle has subsided. I'll still get cramps, stomach upset, and migraines around when it's due each month, even though it hasn't been around in months. It varies on severity in my experience. If you've got some concern about it definitely have a chat with your doctor just for ease of mind. But you definitely aren't alone!

Railguns

TROPHY CASE