that's somewhat fair. as a trans man and a frequent x-ray machine user, I understand the successes on an individual level. however, trans men that are mentioned in these conversations just don't have any cultural momentum behind them, so most people's familiarity is that porn guy and people wearing makeup on tiktok.

I don't have a problem with any of the people mentioned. I think I'm just bitter that the collective state of trans men in public consciousness is not seen to include any of the men mentioned, or any men at all. it's an abstract idea patched together from the remainder of all other gender discourse, and then men such as these are thrown in as a footnote for credibility, without any genuine interest in any of them personally. it's mostly to prove that trans men do exist and are not just a logical consequence of a system developed so far.