Step-by-step educational guides designed to help navigate transition, legal processes, healthcare systems, advocacy, and everyday life. Whether you are changing your name, updating documents, starting HRT, or learning how to support a trans loved one, these guides aim to make complex topics easier to understand.
Estrogen is the primary sex hormone that produces “feminine” attributes, such as breast growth and body fat redistribution. Estrogen is prescribed to individuals assigned male at birth as part of their gender transition and monitored by their healthcare team to replicate natural estrogen production levels in cisgender women.
Does estrogen HRT require hormone suppressants?
Actually, no. Anti-androgens are not strictly required, although they are commonly prescribed as part of transfeminine hormone replacement therapy.
Individuals with low natural testosterone levels can be adequately suppressed by estrogen alone through a negative feedback loop. Natural testosterone can also be suppressed by high estrogen levels in estrogen monotherapy, but this is only possible with injectable estrogen.
Combined use of anti-androgens with estrogen provides more effective and reliable results by pushing one’s testosterone levels into a cisgender female range. Many transgender women use anti-androgens such as:
Spironolactone
Cyproterone Acetate (CPA)
Bicalutamide
GnRH Agonists
Finasteride and dutasteride are also used in feminizing hormone replacement therapy to block dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the primary hormone that causes male-pattern baldness.
Isn’t estrogen also prescribed to cisgender women?
I’ve heard of progesterone hormone therapy. What’s that?
Progesterone is another hormone that some individuals use alongside estrogen. Progesterone is the hormone responsible for pregnancy, the menstrual cycle, and gestation.
There is anecdotal evidence that progesterone improves breast development, body fat redistribution, and mood – but there isn’t much official research supporting its use.
Estrogen HRT Methods
There are multiple standard ways to use estrogen for HRT. The chosen administration method depends on:
Personal convenience
Lifestyle
Side effects
Hormone stability
Insurance concerns
Method
Frequency
Stabilty
Pros
Cons
Oral
1x per day
Very stable
No needles, consistent levels
High upkeep
Topical
1x per day
Very stable
No needles, consistent levels
High upkeep, transfer risk
Injectable
1x per week, two weeks, or four weeks
Peaks and troughs
Flexible dosing
Hormone fluctuations, needles
Pellet
1x per three to six months
Moderate fluctuation
Very low maintenance
Hard to access
Nasal
1x per day
Stable
Minimal transfer risk
High upkeep, expensive
Oral Estrogen
Pill-based and sublingual estrogen is the most common hormone therapy route for transgender women and nonbinary individuals. Typically prescribed as 17-β estradiol, oral estrogen is swallowed or dissolved under the tongue once per day. Examples of oral estrogen include Premarin, Estrace, and Estratab.
Oral estrogen is the most accessible and cheapest form, costing around $10 to $30 per month out-of-pocket. Like topical and nasal therapies, oral estrogen provides extremely stable hormone levels due to daily upkeep.
Unlike oral testosterone, oral estrogen is completely safe to use long-term. Oral testosterone is toxic to the liver, but estrogen is considered cardioprotective despite slight clotting risk.
Need help paying for prescriptions that insurance won’t cover? Try GoodRx.
Topical Estrogen
Estrogen can be safely administered via dermal contact via gels, patches, and creams. Transdermal estrogen is applied daily in small doses and absorbed by the body throughout the day.
The largest disadvantage to topical estrogen is its transdermal nature. You must ensure your hands are completely washed after application to ensure estrogen does not transfer to other humans or animals. Avoid skin-to-skin contact on the application site even after it has dried. Additionally, be mindful of swimming, showering, or applying other creams (ex. sunscreen) on the application site since it will wash or dilute the medication.
Hormone Stability and Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetics refers to the effects of the body based on the original administration of a dose, including when it is eliminated and the time for the next dose.
Since bodies assigned male at birth cannot produce sufficient estrogen naturally, regular administration is required to maintain proper hormone levels. The main disadvantage of injectable and implant/pellet hormones is the pharmacokinetic cycle that causes hormonal dips and peaks. In contact, administration routes such as oral and topical circumvent this by being topped off each day.
Is topical estrogen less effective than injections or oral?
The effectiveness of HRT is determined by hormone levels and genetics, not the administration route. When undergoing hormone replacement therapy, a healthcare professional will monitor your hormone levels and adjust your prescription as needed.
In other words, your provider is going to make sure you obtain optimal hormone levels regardless of whether you use oral, topical, or injectable estrogen.
If you’re intentionally seeking less noticeable or slower results from estrogen, that’s also an option – but you’ll need to find a provider that is knowledgeable in low-dose hormone replacement therapy since it is not the norm. Again, the administration route doesn’t matter; lesser or slower results are caused by a lower estrogen dose for a finite amount of time.
Injectable Estrogen
Estradiol injections typically come as estradiol valerate (Deletrogen) and estradiol cypionate (Depo-Estradiol). Medication is self-administered via syringe once per week, although this can vary to every other week, every three weeks, or monthly, depending on prescription and personal preference.
Since estrogen can be safely administered via tablet, injectable estrogen is less common among transgender women compared to transgender men. Injectable estrogen is usually preferred when high doses are necessary that oral medication can’t accommodate.
Injectable estrogen comes in two forms.
Intramuscular Injections
Intramuscular injections, also known as IM, use long, thick needles to inject estrogen into muscle tissue. Needles range from 1” to 1.5” and 21 to 23 gauge. Needle length varies based on individual need – the needle must be long enough to puncture the muscle layer.
That’s a huge needle! Doesn’t that hurt?! Actually, IM hurt way less than they look. The needle is visually terrifying, but the size doesn’t cause any additional pain compared to subcutaneous injections.
Pain is primarily caused when the needle breaks the skin barrier and activates nerves to notify your body of injury. Once the skin barrier is broken, the needle continues to penetrate down into the fat and muscle layers – but neither of those contains nerve endings that cause pain.
Subcutaneous, also known as subq, shots use smaller needles to inject estrogen into the subcutaneous fat layer just beneath the skin. Since subcutaneous injections only penetrate the upper two layers, they don’t require the length associated with IM.
Subq injections are compatible with self-injectors like Xyosted, a medical pen that delivers medication via a spring mechanism. While IM can be accomplished with self-injectors, it’s difficult and less common compared to subq.
Both IM and subq injections are meant to be self-administered, although it is possible to find a provider or family member to help if you struggle with needle phobia. Since subq uses smaller needles, many people find them easier to manage.
As noted with intramuscular injections, the pain associated with subcutaneous shots will be similar since pain is largely induced by breaking the skin barrier.
Pellets are a relatively new form of hormone replacement therapy where crystalline estrogen is implanted beneath the skin by a healthcare professional every three to six months.
Estrogen pellets are exceptionally small (about the size of a single grain of rice) and are inserted under local anesthesia. Unlike other forms of HRT, where medication is typically self-administered, pellets must be administered by a provider.
Similar to IM and subq injections, estrogen pellets will suffer the same dips and peaks due to their pharmacokinetics. They provide immense convenience since you only have to worry about the application every few months, but you’ll have starker estrogen dips.
Pellets sound cool! Why haven’t I heard more about them?
Probably because they’re hard to access. Oral and injectable estrogens are the standard forms of HRT, so you have to go out of your way to request pellets.
Just because a healthcare provider prescribes HRT doesn’t mean they’re knowledgeable or comfortable with pellets – so you’ll have to find a provider that specializes in it.
Nasal Estrogen
Nasal estrogen, such as Evamist, is administered once per day and functions the same as topical estrogen. However, nasal estrogen significantly reduces the risk of accidental transfer.
Due to how new nasal estrogen is, it is rare to find. As of the time of this article, there are no generic versions available in the United States.
There are lots of scary articles out there that claim transgender-related HRT is dangerous. Studies show HRT is safe, although there is a lack of high-quality, long-term data to assess limitations in previous studies, since long-term studies require… time.
Estrogen does impact your health, but not in any particularly scary way. Metabolic changes and risk of blood clots increase, BUT these changes place transgender women at the same exact risk as cisgender women with naturally occurring estrogen.
Does brand name matter, or will using generic medication cause inferior results?
No. Pharmaceutical companies will say otherwise, but brand name does not impact HRT effectiveness. The only thing that matters is the active ingredients and dosage.
Does injectable estrogen cause faster results than other forms of HRT?
No. Accounts that injectable estrogen is more effective are entirely anecdotal and not aligned with empirical evidence. Effectiveness of estrogen is determined by dose and HRT level, not administration route.
When will I see the effects of HRT?
That depends on dosage and genetics. Some changes, such as skin and mood changes, occur quickly, while other changes can happen years down the line. Look at the women in your family and consider how puberty impacted them to predict how HRT will manifest changes.
Looking for more educational guides?
Browse Trans Solidarity Project’s guides, or check out these posts:
Roughly 12 million people fly each day, ranging from short business commutes to long-distance journeys. After aerial terrorism, largely stemming from 9/11, air travel requires intensive mandatory screening. Each country has unique screening guidelines; here is the most pertinent information for individuals who are transgender and encounter TSA.
CONTENT WARNING: This post discusses airport security and a personal account of TSA transphobic harassment, forced strip searches, and mistreatment. Reader discretion advised.
While TSA is an American agency, all countries enforce similar mandatory screenings. Most countries require screening upon entry into an airport for all departing flights and for international arrivals.
How Effective Is TSA Screening?
Compared to other US agencies, TSA is relatively young, and its detection rate makes it fairly controversial. Experts state that TSA screening is largely “security theater” to comfort travelers and deter some criminals.
Standard TSA Procedures (What Everyone Goes Through)
The following procedures are universal to all TSA screenings unless you participate in PreCheck or CLEAR+ (more on those later).
Secure Flight Prescreening and Watchlists
Before you ever arrive at the airport, TSA engages in Secure Flight that ranks passengers’ “risk level” based on names and watchlists.
The Privacy Impact Assessment and System of Records Notice state that personal information collection is supposedly minimized, but the main purpose of the Secure Flight prescreening procedure is to block folks on either the No Fly List or individuals marked “Do Not Board” via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The majority of checked luggage is screened without conducting a physical bag search, directing the luggage onward to your planned airline. If TSA does conduct a physical bag search, a notice will be placed inside your bag. Luggage lost or damaged during screening can be filed with TSA directly, although luggage lost or damaged during transport is filed via your airline.
Don’t have checked luggage? Continue on to your nearest TSA checkpoint – unless you need to check in with your airline for a physical boarding pass.
Can I lock my checked baggage? Yes, although it won’t really matter regarding TSA. TSA officers use universal master keys certified with Safe Skies Luggage and Travel Sentry to unlock commercially available locks for physical bag inspections.
Carry-on luggage refers to bags that are taken with you on the plane, in contrast with checked baggage, which is stored on the plane separately from passengers. Personal baggage falls under the same screening procedures as carry-on; the only difference between carry-on and personal luggage is size.
REAL ID is fully in effect.The law was passed some time ago, but TSA will now fine all passengers who do not have REAL ID-level certification and will not let you pass until certification is presented or the fine is paid. Passports and certain other documents hold the same validity as REAL ID, so if you have a passport, you do NOT need REAL ID.
Afterwards, you will proceed to a scanning queue. All carry-on luggage must be placed on the conveyor belt to be screened by a TSA officer.
TSA requires all electronic devices be taken out of luggage and into a separate bin for screening. This includes laptops, monitors, tablets, e-readers, and handheld game consoles. Non-American airports may not require electronic devices to be removed from baggage.
Shoes must be removed, although you can keep your socks on. Shoes will also be placed in a bin for screening, as well as any belts, jackets, watches, etc. Leave nothing in your pockets. Most other countries do not require shoes to be removed unless you have steel-toe boots that will trigger the sensors.
Most food, especially packaged items and fruit, is allowed in carry-on luggage. Liquids, gels, aerosols, baby food, and breast milk have additional requirements.
All liquids and gels must comply with the 3-1-1 rule unless they qualify for exemption.
The 3-1-1 rule refers to how each passenger is allowed ONE quart-sized bag for carry-on liquids and gels.
All items must fit inside a ONE QUART bag.
All items must be 3.4 ounces (hence the three) or 100 milliliters.
Any non-exempt items that do not comply with this rule must be checked luggage. Two exemption categories bypass the 3-1-1 and 100 milliliter restriction.
Prescription medication is allowed in any amount, including if it is in a liquid, gel, or aerosol form. However, you MUST have prescriptions for all medication, have all medication in its original packaging, and have a reasonable amount of your trip.
Breast milk, baby formula/food, and toddler drinks are classified as medically necessary by the TSA and allowed in any amount. These items will be screened separately to detect potential drugs, explosives, and harms.
In practice, I have never seen TSA actually require a quart-sized bag. It’s used as a comparison tool to help passengers visualize how many 100 ml items they are allowed to bring. However, other counties do actually care and require liquids and gels be placed in a ziplock bag during screening.
Proceed through the scanner. Your carry-on luggage will be screened separately while your body is scanned by an agent. Any flagged luggage will be pulled aside for screening by TSA.
Don’t know what should go in checked, carry-on, or left at home? Here is the full TSA list, which can be searched and sorted into categories.
TSA Body Scanners and Transgender Travelers
The United States uses Leidos body scanners (or any machine labeled as “Advanced Imaging Technology”) as well as metal detectors. Assume you will be scanned by a AIT machine unless you have PreCheck or CLEAR+, since those are standard.
How AIT Body Scanners Work
AIT machines scan the entire body, bouncing a signal on every inch of the body in the tube to detect “anomalies.” As far as we know, the scanning technology is safe, albeit invasive. AIT scanners are NOT transgender-friendly and detect transgender bodies as anomalies.
There are concerns about data privacy and AIT scanning since the machines keep a small record of what your body looks like.
The official statement is that this data is eventually deleted, although it is a valid concern in a world hostile to transgender lives. The only reason we put up with it is that we have been trained to accept a lack of privacy for security theater.
Why TSA Scanners Are Gendered
This occurs because AIT scans are gendered into a male and female binary. When you approach the machine, a TSA agent quickly and silently assigns you a male or female scan. The machine is hypervigilant and flags anything “out of the ordinary,” flagging mundane things like paper left in your pocket. All anomalies will be covered with a yellow or red box on the imaging screen to indicate the flagged region.
AIT will flag packing prosthetics, lack of penis, presence of unforeseen penis, and binders. It doesn’t matter if you pack, bind, or tuck; there is a fairly high chance you will be flagged.
Being flagged does not mean you did anything wrong. Remember: AIT machines specifically do not know how to handle transgender bodies, and it is a flaw in the current system.
In my experience, metal detectors cause no issues. Assuming you have put all metal items in the conveyor bin for separate scanning, you’ll pass through every time without issue. Outside of the United States, metal detector scanners are the norm rather than invasive screens like AIT.
You’ve Been Flagged. What Happens Next?
If your body is flagged by an AIT machine, you will be required to undergo a pat-down by a TSA agent.
The Department of Homeland Security provides TSA the authority to conduct pat-downs as the next step in screening.
Pat-downs are meant to be less invasive and typically take less than 60 seconds, where an agent uses the back of their hands to apply minor pressure over clothing to detect hidden items. TSA agents have the authority to require the following:
Agents are allowed to require clothing to be adjusted.
Agents are allowed to require head coverings or pieces be removed. If the covering is religious, see the following section for additional rights.
Agents are allowed to conduct a pat-down across the entire body, including the groin, buttocks, and head.
Agents are allowed to force you to adjust your stance, typically with your feet apart and arms raised. If you have a disability or struggle to raise your arms, see the next section.
Agents are allowed to conduct more than one pass for their pat-down.
Your Rights During a Pat-Down
Not all TSA officers follow the rules and may not be committed to creating a safe environment. The Department of Homeland Security states that all passengers have the following rights:
You are entitled to request a specific gender to pat you down, regardless of gender identity or expression.
You are entitled to have a witness present, including if you are taken for a private screening.
You are entitled to be moved to a private area if a public pat-down makes you uncomfortable.
You are entitled to have the TSA agent change their gloves before screening.
You are entitled to inform TSA agents of medical devices you may be wearing, areas that are painful to touch, or if you have difficulty raising your arms.
You are entitled to have flagged luggage screened privately rather than in the public queue.
You are entitled to remove any religious head covering yourself, pat it down, and have it tested for residue rather than having a TSA agent directly remove the covering.
You are entitled to ask for a supervisor if you are uncomfortable or if a TSA agent’s conduct seems inappropriate.
Have a question about TSA procedures? TSA can be contacted via the Cares Hotline at 1–787-2227 or the TSA Contact Center at 1-66-289-9673.
As a transgender man, I genuinely cannot say whether it is better to pack or forgo it during screening. I’ve been told both are the “correct” procedure because it seems TSA doesn’t have uniform guidance they’re trained on.
I took my first flight in 2022 to Mexico, departing from Chicago’s O’Hare airport. Immediately before me, I had seen a disabled person in a wheelchair be harassed by the TSA, requiring them to stand to screen. Based on the circumstance and my inexperience, I chose to be proactive and told the TSA agents prior to entering the Leidos machine that I was transgender and likely to flag, since I was unsure if my packer prosthetic would cause issues. The agents called over their supervisor and had a conundrum they didn’t know how to resolve, eventually having me pass through the metal detector and undergo a pat-down. Afterwards, the TSA agents reprimanded me for wasting their time and stated that next time I should walk through the Leidos machine without giving notice.
Later that same year, I took another flight to New York City, also out of O’Hare. Based on my past experience, I entered the Leidos machine with the same packer I had previously and did not notify the TSA agent beforehand. The scan presented a red flag over my crotch.
This TSA agent gave me a quick pat-down and decided he did not like the size of my packer (which was a 5-inch Freetom), stating I required private screening. I asked why and explained the flag was due to my packing prosthetic since I am transgender, but TSA agents always assume that every flag must be treated as a worst-case scenario. The agent escalated, stating my lack of willingness meant he would likely call the police to arrest me unless he was “gracious” enough to change his mind. My friend had already passed through the screening, so I was alone. I followed the agent to a private room, where he pulled aside another male agent to be his witness.
Upon entering the room, the agents stated I had to strip naked and emphasized that any lack of consent meant they would be calling the police. Since I couldn’t think of any other options, I complied and stripped down to nothing but the thin towel they handed me. I handed them my packer. Both of the agents snickered, one of them elbowing the other while mumbling under his breath.
They both were baffled by the prosthetic and claimed they had no idea what it was, despite my trying to explain beforehand. The older agent took a cotton swab to the packer and left to analyze it while the other agent stated I had to wait, standing with nothing but the towel, in essentially a two-square-foot closet. After an agonizing fifteen minutes, the agent returned with a negative result. Both of the agents were visibly disappointed, but then took to quickly commanding me to get dressed and leave immediately.
In the end, I didn’t miss my flight – but I did develop a fear of TSA from the encounter. At the time, I was doing exactly what a previous TSA agent had directed me to – but TSA’s transgender guidance isn’t uniform, and there are always bad actors who use scare tactics to harm others.
I have had fewer personal issues binding while screening, although it has been a while since I’ve had top surgery. The chance your chest will be flagged correlates to the size of your chest, so larger chests are likely to be flagged regardless of compression. Smaller chests are likely to pass through with excellent binding compression without being flagged.
Does TSA engage in racial profiling? There have been thousands of jokes made about TSA’s “random” screenings, where agents require travelers to undergo more intensive screenings even if they did not flag any alarms.
Officially, TSA prohibits racial profiling and states that agents are not allowed to discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability. Unofficially, TSA agents are given too much freedom to “randomly” search anyone they want.
If your luggage is flagged by the conveyor scanner, it is pulled to a separate belt and must be manually verified by TSA. They’ll open the luggage and look for the item in question to determine whether it’s allowed through.
As mentioned previously, medical prescriptions are always allowed in carry-on luggage in any quantity as long as it is a reasonable amount for your travel. Always make sure your medication has its prescription label and is in its original packaging. The name on your medication must match your identification. The same applies to needles, syringes, and sharps.
If you inject medication, some folks use specific bags or kits to transport their prescriptions. They aren’t required, but are good accessories and increase stealth while traveling.
If you are worried about your medication being allowed, you can also bring a signed letter from your prescribing provider to present to TSA. As an American engaging with TSA, I’ve never had issues requiring this, but have done so when taking large quantities traveling abroad.
Always keep prescription medication in carry-on luggage. Checked luggage sometimes gets damaged and lost, and you may not be able to get a refill upon arrival. Furthermore, checked luggage is kept in storage that gets extremely cold; medications like injectable or transdermal hormones must be kept at a relatively consistent temperature to stay viable.
Once you have completed body and carry-on luggage screening, you’re done. Put your shoes back on and proceed with your luggage to your assigned flight gate.
After your initial screening, you will not have to undergo it again upon arriving at your destination IF it is domestic. Similarly, domestic layovers will not require additional screening.
However, international layovers may require you to be screened again during layovers, depending on the country. The vast majority of the world uses regular metal detectors, so it’ll be quick and relatively painless. You will also have to be screened upon arrival at any international destination as part of the customs and immigration process.
TSA Alternatives: Are They Worth It?
There are several official programs allow travelers to bypass the traditional AIT screening procedure, but they aren’t interchangeable. PreCheck and CLEAR+ are two of the most common Trusted Traveler Programs.
TSA PreCheck costs approximately $80 for a five-year plan and gives you access to a separate screening lane where electronics are kept in carry-on luggage, you keep your shoes, jackets, and belts on, and you go through a simple metal detector. PreCheck also requires background checks and interview appointments to become eligible.
CLEAR+ costs $200 every year and uses biometric data (such as an iris or fingerprint scan) to quickly verify your identity rather than forcing you to use the document queue – which is what takes the longest when screening. You’ll be taken directly to a screening machine. However, CLEAR+ users may still use an AIT machine.
TSA PreCheck is available at over 200 United States airports, while CLEAR+ operates at about 50. Not all airports that have PreCheck have CLEAR+, and not all airports that have CLEAR+ may offer PreCheck – which is why our fantastic consumer market advises travelers to purchase plans for both programs.
If you have money to spend and travel frequently, PreCheck is useful for transgender travelers since it will allow you to avoid “advanced” AIT screening. But again, it’s not cheap nor easy to register for.
Passenger Support Specialist (PSS) Program
Anyone is allowed to request services from the Passenger Support Specialist Program. PSS is staffed with TSA agents who undergo additional training to better assist travelers with specific needs.
PSS is free to use, but it requires booking in advance. PSS must be contacted at least 72 hours before your flight via TSA Cares.
Grounding, Emotional Safety, and Post-Screening Care
Before any trip and engaging with airport security, take time to take care of yourself. Be aware of your physical and emotional needs, checking in throughout the process to remind yourself of your limits.
Prep grounding techniques as part of your travel checklist. This could be downloading a self-care app like Finch, writing down mantras and emergency contacts, or learning specific breathing techniques.
All transgender people are important and worthy of dignity. Airport screening can be traumatic for all travelers, but it’s disproportionately unfair to transgender individuals.
Looking for more educational guides?
Browse Trans Solidarity Project’s guides, or check out these posts:
HRT, also known as hormone replacement therapy, is the use of synthetic hormones to mimic traditional sex hormones. The use of testosterone HRT has been foundational and approved as the best form of treatment for transgender people for nearly a century.
Testosterone is the primary sex hormone that produces “masculine” attributes, such as facial hair, a deepened voice, and higher muscle mass. Testosterone is prescribed to individuals assigned female at birth as part of their gender transition and monitored by their healthcare team to replicate natural testosterone production levels in cisgender men.
Nearly all forms of injectable testosterone are ethers suspended in sesame oil or cottonseed oil that are absorbed slowly by the body due to esterification.
Injectable testosterone comes in TWO forms.
Injectable
Also known as IM, intramuscular shots are the most common form of testosterone prescribed.IM injections use longer, thicker needles to inject testosterone into the muscle.
Intramuscular injections commonly use needles 1” to 1.5” and 21 to 23 gauge. Needle length can vary depending on individual need since the needle must be long enough to puncture the muscle, although gauge size is standard to accommodate testosterone’s viscosity.
“That’s a huge needle! Doesn’t that hurt?!” Actually, IM injections are not nearly as painful as they look. The needle is visually terrifying, but the size does not cause any additional pain compared to subcutaneous injections.
Pain is primarily caused when the needle breaks the skin barrier and activates nerves to notify your body of injury. Once the skin is broken, the needle continues to penetrate down into the fat and muscle – but neither contains nerve endings that will cause pain.
Subcutaneous, or subq, shots use smaller needles to inject testosterone into the subcutaneous fat just underneath the skin. Since subcutaneous injections only penetrate those two layers, they don’t require the length associated with IM injections.
Subq injections are also compatible via self-injectors like Xyosted, a medical pen that is used with your medication to deliver the medication via its spring mechanism. While IM can be done with self-injectors, it is difficult and less common.
Both subcutaneous and intramuscular shots are meant to be self-administered, although it is possible to find a provider or family member to help if you struggle with needle phobia. Since subq injections use smaller needles, folks find them easier to manage.
As noted with intramuscular injections, the pain associated with subq shots will be similar to IM, since pain is largely induced by breaking the skin barrier.
Testosterone can be safely administered via dermal contact through gels, patches, and creams. Transdermal testosterone is applied daily in small doses and absorbed by the body throughout the day.
Hormone Stability and Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetics refers to the effects of the body based on the original administration of a dose, including when it is eliminated and the time for the next dose.
Since bodies assigned female at birth cannot produce testosterone naturally, regular administration is required to maintain proper hormone levels.
One disadvantage of injectable testosterone is the pharmacokinetic cycle, causing hormonal dips and peaks. The day following testosterone injection is when testosterone levels are highest, causing side effects like mood swings and acne. Conversely, levels are lowest immediately before an injection and are associated with irritability and low energy, known as “T drop.” This cycle can be heightened or reduced based on dose frequency – some guys inject their testosterone every week, while others take it once a month.
In contrast, topical testosterone does not present noticeable dips or peaks since it is administered daily. All forms of topical testosterone produce a steady hormone dose with minimal fluctuation.
Is Topical Testosterone Less Effective Than Injections?
“I heard that topical testosterone isn’t as effective as injectable testosterone. Is that true?“ No. Empirical evidence shows that topical testosterone is just as effective as injectable testosterone. This myth is due to anecdotal accounts since many users post their results (or lack thereof) online, creating the illusion that topical testosterone is less effective. Injected testosterone may produce faster results in the first week, but this is completely negated in the following days.
The effectiveness of testosterone is NOT dependent on how it is administered.
Effectiveness is determined based on hormone levels and genetics. When undergoing hormone replacement therapy, a healthcare professional will monitor your hormone levels, and your testosterone prescription will be adjusted based on your levels.
In other words, your provider is going to make sure you obtain optimal hormone levels regardless of whether it is injectable or topical.
If you’re seeking less noticeable results from testosterone, that’s also an option – but you’ll need to find a provider that is knowledgeable in low-dose hormone replacement therapy since it’s not the norm. Again, the administration route does not matter; the lesser results are caused by a lower dose of testosterone for a set amount of time.
Genetics play a significant role in how secondary sex characteristics express themselves during hormone replacement therapy. Regardless of testosterone levels, some cisgender men struggle to ever grow facial hair or get a super deep voice. Testosterone levels influence the pace at which these results will appear, but genetics will cap off aspects like male pattern baldness, erectile tissue size, and body hair.
“Are there any downsides to topical testosterone? Why would anyone choose injectable testosterone instead?” The application route is highly dependent on a variety of factors. Topical testosterone bypasses needle phobia (since there are no needles involved), but it has two main disadvantages.
Topical testosterone must be applied daily. Injectable testosterone is administered once every week, two weeks, or a month. Once injected, you’re free to go and forget about it until it’s time for the next dose. Thus, topical testosterone has a higher upkeep and is not recommended if you’re forgetful.
Secondly, topical testosterone must permeate the skin to be effective. This means you must make sure your hands are completely washed after applying to ensure testosterone does not transfer to other humans or animals, and avoid skin-to-skin contact on the application site even after it has dried. You also have to be wary of swimming, showering, or applying other creams (like sunscreen) on the application site since it will wash or dilute the medication.
As a minor footnote, lots of guys prefer injectable testosterone because it is cheapest. Topical testosterone can be expensive or laborious for insurance to cover.
Need help paying for prescriptions that insurance won’t cover? Try GoodRx.
Testosterone patches work the same way as gels and creams. Once applied, testosterone is absorbed through the skin via an alcohol-based gel in the patch.
Subcutaneous Testosterone Pellets
Pellets are a relatively new form that administers crystalline testosterone implanted beneath the skin.
Testosterone pellets are exceptionally small (about the size of a single grain of rice) and are inserted under local anesthesia every three to four months by a healthcare professional. Unlike other forms of HRT, pellets require visiting your provider to directly administer the medication.
Similar to the dips and peaks mentioned for injectable testosterone, pellets will suffer the same issue. They provide immense convenience since you only have to worry about the application every few months, but you’ll have starker dips during T drop.
“Pellets sound cool! Why haven’t I heard more about them??” Likely because they’re hard to access. Injectable IM and subq testosterone are the standard methods, so you have to go out of your way to request pellets.
Just because a provider prescribes HRT doesn’t mean they’re knowledgeable or comfortable with pellets – so you’ll have to find a provider that specializes in it.
Nasal Testosterone Gel
Natesto is a form of hormone replacement therapy that utilizes a nasal gel to administer testosterone every six to eight hours.
It works similarly to topical testosterone, but it significantly reduces the risk of accidental transfer. On the other hand, nasal testosterone requires more upkeep since it is administered multiple times each day.
Due to how new nasal testosterone is, it’s rare to come across. As of the time of this article, there are no generic versions available and are considered too cost-prohibitive for most folks.
Oral, Sublingual, and Buccal Testosterone
Testosterone is also administrable orally through a pill, BUT it is not recommended for hormone replacement therapy due to how testosterone is compounded and dissolved by the body over time.
The chemical composition of testosterone is frequently modified to improve its functionality and allow the body to better absorb the medication. When modified synthetic testosterone enters the bloodstream, the excess ether compounds are cleaved off during hydrolization and force the testosterone to return to its bioidentical form, similar to naturally occurring hormones, ready to perform its associated tasks. Without the modification, testosterone would not be effective in slowly releasing hormones into the body.
When oral medications are administered, they are first absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and passed into the liver. Without synthetic modifications, pure bioidentical testosterone is overwhelmingly metabolized through the liver, rendered ineffective. However, synthetic modifications to oral testosterone (such as methyltestosterone) are extremely hard on the liver and considered too toxic for long-term HRT when other safer methods are readily available.
Testosterone undecanoate, another form of oral testosterone, is considered safer but is also not recommended since it is eliminated from the body within a few hours and requires excessively frequent dosages that are expensive on the body and wallet.
Sublingual and buccal testosterone administer medication via dissolving it under the tongue or against the surface of one’s gums. Since it isn’t swallowed, sublingual and buccal testosterone avoids extreme liver toxicity that other forms of oral testosterone cause. Both are virtually impossible to find in the United States.
There are a great deal of scary articles out there that claim testosterone is dangerous. Studies currently show that testosterone-based hormone replacement therapy is safe – although there is a lack of long-term high-quality data to study limitations in previous studies, since long-term studies require… time.
Testosterone does impact your health, but not in any particularly scary way. Cardiovascular issues, sleep apnea, and metabolic changes increase, BUT these changes place transgender men at the exact same risk as cisgender men with naturally occurring testosterone. HRT does not put you at an adverse risk, and monitoring prevents potential issues like polycythemia from happening.
Does brand name matter, or will using generic medication cause inferior results?
No. Pharmaceutical companies will say otherwise, but brand name doesn’t impact HRT effectiveness. The only thing that matters is the active ingredients and dosage.
Does injectable testosterone cause faster results than topical versions?
No. As explained in the topical testosterone section, accounts of injectable testosterone being more effective are anecdotal and not aligned with empirical evidence. Effectiveness of testosterone is determined by dose and HRT level, not administration route.
When will I see the effects of HRT?
That depends on dosage and genetics. Some changes, such as clitorial enlargement and acne, will occur quickly, while things like body hair and hairline changes can happen a decade into HRT. Look at the men in your family and consider how puberty impacted them to predict how HRT will manifest changes.
Packing is the practice of placing an object into the crotch to resemble the look and feel of a penis. Even some cisgender men pack when they feel the need to compensate for their natural bulge. Packing is commonly done by transmasculine people to reduce gender dysphoria and can be completed with a wide variety of devices.
Q: DO I HAVE TO PACK? A:Nope. Many people don’t pack since it’s a personal preference. Packing is not a requirement for being transgender, and there are lots of reasons transmasculine people might choose not to pack.
Q: WHAT SIZE SHOULD I GET? A: Any size works, but most guys prefer packers based on their height and weight. Your packer’s size will affect how you sit, exercise, walk, and move around. Cisgender men typically average at three to four inches while flaccid, but it can also be helpful to compare length and girth based on nationality.
How do I get started with packing?
Packers use either padding or phallic shapes to imitate the bulge of a natural penis. If you have never packed, it can feel strange walking around and getting used to it.
Most folks become acquainted with packing via the sock or gel tube method since both are free.
Sock Packing
There really isn’t a right or wrong way to sock pack. Grab a couple of mid-length socks, roll one inside the other to create a ball shape. Adjust the shape until you’re happy with it. Stick it in your pants. Simple as that.
If you’re wearing briefs or boxer briefs, congrats – your underwear will act as a natural harness to hold the sock packer throughout the day.
Prefer boxers? Any men’s underwear with a non-buttoned flap can have the packer stuck between the fabric flaps and keep the socks from actually touching your skin and causing irritation.
Gel Packing
Once you’re comfortable with sock packing, the next step is gel packing since it better resembles the feel of a penis compared to cloth. Fill a non-lubricated condom with hair gel and tie it off once it’s at a good shaft length. Use additional condoms to double or triple layer the packer, making it stiffer.*
Fill another condom about a quarter of the way with hair gel. Twist the condom and fold it in on itself to create a second layer. Tie it off – you’ve got your first testicle. Repeat these steps to create a second testicle.
Get a pair of nylon pantyhose cutting off one of the legs. Drop the shaft into the toe of the leg and tie it inside. Drop the two testicles into the next part of the pantyhose, tying it firmly and cutting off any loose hose.
Gel packers are surprisingly strong despite how cheap they are to create. To wear a gel packer, you’ll either need well-fitted briefs, boxer briefs, trucks, a jock strap, or a DIY harness. Compared to sock packers, gel packers are more likely to force you to acquire a male gait since there is physically something between your legs.
Gel and sock packers are the simplest forms of packing, but there are hundreds of designs available. Here are the most common types of packers and what makes them unique.
Soft Packers
Soft packers resemble flaccid penises and are best suited for casual everyday use. These packers are typically created from elastomer or silicone, designed solely for creating a bulge. Soft packers cannot be used for sex or urination.
Ironically, soft packers were first mass-produced on the mainstream market as a gag bachelorette gift before being picked up by transmasculine consumers. Soft packers range between $15 to $50 based on material.
Elastomer packers cost significantly less, but are worse for your health since they often contain chemicals that leach into the body through skin contact.
Silicone packers are the community standard since they are body-safe and last for years. The silicone prevents skin irritation despite daily use.
Some folks don’t like the phallic look that packers imitate. Minimal packers are abstract and aim to solely create a bulge without traditional phallic shapes. Depending on how abstract and artsy you’re going for, these can range from $3 to $30.
STPs include any device that allows the user to urinate while standing up, such as at a urinal. Most STPs are STP packers, resembling the shape and color of cisgender penises for optimal stealth while in use. STP packers are the most basic type of prosthetic packer.
Stand-to-pee packers have a learning curve since they incorporate different bowls and seals. Always practice using your STP at home before trying it in public to avoid urine dripping down your jeans. It’s natural to be frustrated while learning the process, so be patient and follow the packer’s instructions and community input.
STP packers require either well-fitted underwear, packing pouches, or a harness to hold the device. Non-anatomical STP devices, on the other hand, usually aren’t and are instead held in one’s pocket or bag.
Always clean your packer. Even if you only use a basic soft packer, it’ll naturally get gross and sweaty since it’s in your crotch. Dirty packers can cause UTIs, infections, and skin irritation.
These packers are where most individuals get confused since some companies refer to them as pack ‘n plays, 2-in-1, 3-in-1, or even 4-in-1. Multifunctional packers are prosthetic devices that are designed for everyday flaccid packing plus one additional function.
The most common multifunctional packer model is the pack ‘n play, which allows you to have penetrative sex with the same packing device that is usually flaccid for casual packing. These packers accomplish this through rods or a valve inflation system to stimulate an erection. Since these packers allow you to pack and have sex, they’re also considered 2-in-1 devices.
Technically, STP packers are ALSO multifunctional 2-in-1s since the two functions are packing and peeing. Again, multifunctional packers are where most folks get confused, so make sure to always read the label on a packer for what its functions are.
The 3-in-1 packer allows the user to casually pack, have penetrative sex, and urinate while standing up with the same device. 3-in-1s are hollow like regular STP packers, but are able to later become erect through a rod system designed for the model.
A 4-in-1 model refers to a packer that packs, acts as an STP, allows for penetrative sex, and sexually stimulates the user during sex. The 4-in-1 label is a marketing gimmick – most 3-in-1s provide sexual stimulation to the user regardless of whether it’s labeled as a 3 or 4. Like the 3-in-1, the 4-in-1 is hollow for everyday packing and STP use. Some 4-in-1s, like the discontinued Freetom, have ridges in the silicone to provide stimulation, while others, like the Peecock, provide stimulation through the rod system.
Rods, rods, rods. Are there any packers that allow you to pack, pee, and have sex without rods? Not yet, unfortunately. The Bionic was the closest device to solve this conundrum, but the project has been mostly discontinued.If you’re looking for a rod-less packer but don’t need to urinate standing up, the Peecock Inflatable uses the basic idea of the Bionic to incorporate air valves.
Compared to binders, there aren’t as many organizations that offer packer charities. On the other hand, packers can be safely created DIY-style, unlike chest binders.
The Queer Trans Project offers a set number of Build-a-Queer Kits throughout the year based on donations. The kits include a variety of items, like packers and binders, based on individual need.
The Thrive Fund is a general fund operated by Point of Pride for folks who don’t fall under their other scholarships for surgery, binders, HRT, shapewear, or electrolysis.
Albeit not free, transgender groups are a great option to buy pre-owned items. Multifunctional packers are expensive! While buy/sell/trades exist on all social media platforms, make sure you’re using a reputable one like r/ftm.
Disclaimer: None of these items are sponsored! All listed products are based on my honest and personal opinion, so take them with a grain of salt.
Affirmation Cards ($15)
In my previous gift guides for transgender men and women, I suggested affirmation journals. These journals allow users to express their feelings in a meaningful, guided format to help digest tough emotions – so if you’re able to find a suitable affirmation journal, they’re still a quality choice.
In contrast, affirmation cards replace the journaling aspect and replace it with mantras. Affirmation methods like mantras have been proven to be effective in focusing the mind and shifting individuals away from negative thoughts. These are a great DIY gift, so spend time writing affirmation statements like…
“I am worthy of receiving good things and accomplishing my goals in life.”
“I am allowed to feel upset, angry, and sad sometimes – it’s part of being human.”
“I deserve to be loved and to love others.”
“I am allowed to take up space, to have desires, and to have a voice.”
“I have done difficult things in the past, and I can do them again.”
Unfortunately, most pride merchandise is ugly – by nature, pride flags use sharp colors that make obnoxious shirts or the infamous rainbow suit. Pride apparel is also difficult to wear in public since it can feel dangerous to be openly queer in most spaces.
Pride decor offers a happy medium between these extremes since these items are kept within the comfort of one’s home. Fleece and throw blankets are comforting, safe, and always useful. We’re always queer – including at home, so help bring a little bit more pride into their life.
Unsure what pin to get them? Pronoun enamel pins are the perfect place to start, especially if they experience misgendering regularly. Or just go for pins based on their favorite interests!
Self-Care Kit ($35)
If they’ve been stressed or overwhelmed lately, self-care kits are practical and thoughtful gifts to encourage them to spend time on themselves. Self-care kits are customizable, so they offer greater freedom in choosing what items will suit your loved one best. Most kits include comfort snacks, mindfulness exercises, and candles, but anything can be self-care!
Skincare items are a great addition to transgender self-care kits. While not all transgender individuals undergo medical transition, hormone replacement therapy can be taxing on the skin during its early stages. When gifted alongside their favorite snacks, these items can make for a wonderful self-care day.
Transgender Guide & Workbook ($25)
There are thousands of self-help books available online, but a decent workbook can provide structured guidance regarding the medical, social, and legal aspects of transition. Not all transgender people want to transition, so make sure they’re interested in some aspects of the process before giving them a workbook.
While there is tons of information online, it can be exhausting to search through to find mediocre answers. Transgender-centered guides aim to answer questions they wouldn’t think to search Google about HRT, surgery, identity documents, legal rights, and more. Accepting Gender is a dense workbook created by nonbinary counselor Alex Stitt and grounded in acceptance and commitment therapy to guide readers in understanding their gender identity beyond the traditional male-female binary. Alternatively, Theo Lorenz’s Trans Self-Care Workbook is a combination coloring book and journal that uses cognitive behavioral therapy techniques and mindfulness. If they’re seeking medical or legal-based advice, check out Trans Bodies, Trans Selves instead.
Transgender Memoir ($20)
Although transgender identities have become more visible within the last decade, we’re still vastly underrepresented in the media. A good memoir connects its reader with the lived experiences of the writer, exploring their life’s challenges while offering inspiring advice and telling a captivating story.
Maia Kobabe’s Gender Queer was the most banned book in 2021, and it’s still frequently challenged by US public schools due to its content. Banned books are always important to read, and Gender Queer is a cathartic (albeit controversial) graphic novel.
Nonbinary: Memoirs of Gender and Identity is an anthology edited by Micah Rajunov and A. Scott Duane, covering the stories of over 30 writers to describe the true diversity of nonbinary experiences. There isn’t one way to be nonbinary, and this collection holds a variety of experiences that will connect.
Travis Alabanza published None of the Above: Reflections on Life Beyond the Binary in 2022. The limited amount of nonbinary identities currently represented by media currently still focuses on white perspectives to appeal to mainstream audiences. None of the Above tells the real experiences of a Black writer navigating an unkind world, needing a bit more intersectionality.
Are they social and enjoy hanging out with friends? Indie board games have seen a rise in popularity over the past decade and offer a fun way to spend quality time beyond classics like Monopoly and Scrabble.
Consider their personality and preferences. If they enjoy structured gameplay, go with a game like Gayopoly – it’s a LGBTQIA+ take on the classic game that is fairly easy to understand without reading hundreds of rules. On the other hand, go with a card-based game like Radical Queer Witches, Queeriosity, or Scurvy Buggers if they’re a social butterfly. At the end of the day, you want to make sure you get a game they’ll actually want to play with you.
Hobby Starter Kit ($25)
It’s always fun when starting a new hobby, even if you don’t stick with it. Sure, you could try to push them to continue their previous hobbies – but it’s just as easy to be the devil on their shoulder and inspire them into a new hyperinterest.
Hobby starter kits are inexpensive and save them the trouble of getting too deep into an interest before determining whether it’s for them. Here are a couple of guides filled with kit suggestions.
Corporations dominate the vast majority of the consumer market (gotta love capitalism), so it’s hard to find someone who isn’t interested in supporting small businesses. Look up to find small queer-owned businesses near you and buy a gift card to invite them to make an interesting purchase.
Maybe they’re not into physical gifts, and none of the above options stuck out. For a person who’s got it all, you can donate to a cause in their name – just make sure they’re keen on the idea.There are hundreds of nonprofits out there, so pick a charity best tailored to them. The most common ones include the ACLU, HRC, Lambda Legal, Trevor Project, A4TE, Trans Lifeline, and SAGE, but make sure to consider smaller organizations or local nonprofits.
Looking for more gift guides?
Browse Trans Solidarity Project’s guides, or check out these posts:
The holiday season thrives in the spirit of consumerism, so it can be infuriating to find a quality gift with a surplus of options available. December can be especially difficult for transgender individuals due to the high chance that our gender identities are “divisive” and a reason to be cast out from our biological families. Here are ten holiday gift recommendations for the transgender women in your life.
Disclaimer: None of these items are sponsored! All listed products are based on my honest and personal opinion, so take them with a grain of salt.
Makeup 101 ($10 – $75)
Transition is expensive. Nearly every aspect is costly, although this reality comes as a surprise to many cisgender people. Makeup is no exception.
There are multiple routes you could take. The easiest (albeit least personal) option would be to purchase a gift card for a local store. If you know her shade and preferences, you can take the initiative to buy a palette or set. Or, if you’re makeup-savvy, make the gift an experience by going to the store together.
Learning to do makeup properly with the latest fashion trends can be difficult and overwhelming, especially for folks who don’t know anything about makeup. To fill this common gap that many transgender women experience, there are numerous courses available to teach the fundamentals. Both Ulta and Sephora offer individualized lessons at their stores.
Necklaces adorned with names or initials are common gifts for all women, including your transgender loved one. There is something magical about personalized jewelry; it affirms our fundamental identities and makes the bold statement, “I see you as you, and I accept you.”
The most accessible place to order personalized jewelry is Etsy, which also allows you to support a small business. Just make sure to read user reviews before placing an order.
Some transgender women are content or even prideful of their natural speaking range. Other transgender women aren’t greatly bothered if they managed to avoid testosterone-based puberty. But there are just as many other women who are uncomfortable or dysphoric about their voices since it outs them as transgender – which presents an additional safety risk that prevents going stealth.
If she falls into the latter range, you could gift the tuition for voice training. If the price tag is too steep but you know her voice bothers her, you could also create a good gift by spending time gathering relevant YouTube videos.
Journaling can be for anyone, and it’s a great tool to deal with stress and self-esteem issues. By purchasing her an affirmation journal, you’re providing her with a new coping skill to affirm her identity as a woman.
Guide her into reframing negative thoughts into optimistic ones, and dig into core beliefs holding her back. Affirmation journals come in a wide range of styles and themes – get creative and buy one based on her personal interests.
Fiction or Nonfiction Read ($30)
Is she a bookworm? Compared to the general population, transgender people receive far less positive visibility in the media. Despite this reality, seeing ourselves represented can be an incredibly beautiful and heartwarming experience.
For fiction fans, Nevada by Imogen Binnie follows Maria Griffiths’ road trip from NYC to the West Coast. Like most books written by transgender writers, Nevada has a small following compared to mainstream bestsellers – but the novel is well-received amongst LGBTQIA+ critics due to its impact on the transgender fiction scene when it was originally published in 2013.
Trans Bodies, Trans Selves is a solid nonfiction recommendation, which was edited and published by Laura Erickson-Schroth in 2014. Technically, Trans Bodies, Trans Selves is for all gender identities – but it’s an incredibly undervalued piece of literature. Based on the 1973 book Our Bodies, Ourselves (written by the Boston Women’s Health Book Collective to highlight censored topics like birth control, sexuality, abortion, and menopause), it holds a wealth of information related to transgender health.
Similar to the suggestions above, transgender people don’t frequently see themselves represented well. Memoirs are a special subcategory of nonfiction that connects us with the experiences of other transgender individuals who have gone through similar struggles.
If you’re only going to read one transgender memoir ever, make it Whipping Girl. Julia Serano’s book is a wonderful blend of personal storytelling and critical theory that shook late third-wave feminist academia. The book explores the many ways transgender women are objectified, erased, excluded, and mystified both in general culture and within feminist circles.
Jennifer Finney Boylan is a prolific writer with a dense bibliography. She transitioned at age 42 after having two children with her wife, Deirdre, and many of her memoirs tell her unique experience as a transgender parent. She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders and Stuck in the Middle With You: A Memoir of Parenting in Three Genders are Boylan’s two most well-known works to start with.
In my gift guide for transgender men, I mentioned Some Assembly Required by Arin Andrews. Rethinking Normal is its companion memoir, written by Katie Hill – Arin’s girlfriend, who wrote her own memoir about being a transgender teenage girl.
Sometimes, the best presents can’t be wrapped neatly under a tree. The gift of making memories can be just as good as anything you can put a bow on.
If she’s open to the idea, book a spa day. However, I will caveat that you need to ensure the spa is transgender-friendly to ease her concerns. There is a history of issues regarding transgender people and spas that have barred us from basic services, since all occupations are capable of bias. There isn’t much more gender-affirming than lavishly getting a facial or manicure – but it might be a good idea to book the day for two and tag along to ease her anxieties.
Of course, remember that she is an individual. If she’s into music, look up concerts in your closest city. If she likes art or history, plan some museums. Become a personalized tour guide for cool shops, interesting sites, drag shows, and nightlife.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Kit ($25)
Organizer kits are helpful devices to keep her on top of her medication regimen, which can be beneficial if she’s forgetful or travels frequently. Unlike transgender men, most transgender women use a pill-based HRT regimen, although that doesn’t mean an HRT organizer is out of the question.
Get a fun pill organizer and help make the daily labor of pills more pleasant! Or, if you know she takes HRT via injection, get a sturdy case to help protect her medication.
Digital Artwork Commission ($)
By commissioning a digital artist, you’re supporting a small creator and giving her a deeply personal gift. Digital art is a unique way to affirm her identity – it allows her to envision herself the way she wants to be seen, even if that’s not the way she currently can present herself to the world.
Maybe she’s not into physical gifts, and none of the above options stuck out. For a woman who’s got it all, you can donate to a cause in her name – just make sure she’s keen on the idea.
There are hundreds of nonprofits out there, so pick a charity best tailored to her. The most common ones include the ACLU, HRC, Lambda Legal, Trevor Project, A4TE, Trans Lifeline, and SAGE, but make sure to consider smaller organizations or local nonprofits.
Looking for more gift guides?
Browse Trans Solidarity Project’s guides, or check out these posts:
What’s the best way to make this season more enjoyable for the transgender people important to you? Here are ten gift ideas for the transgender men in your life.
These gifts are more than just “guy” things, since he’s more than just a guy to you; they affirm his core identity and remind him of the value of chosen family.
Disclaimer: None of these items are sponsored! All listed products are based on my honest and personal opinion, so take them with a grain of salt.
Chest Binder ($45) or TransTape ($20)
Most transgender men will bind their chest at some point to create a more masculine appearance and alleviate chest dysphoria. By getting him a chest binder, you’re also ensuring he binds safely with proper tools and sizing.
GC2B came under fire when they altered their original binder design, but I still believe they make the best binder for price, comfort, and accessibility. The GC2B Classic 2.0 utilizes the design of their beloved binder with an added durability stitch to provide a daily binder that gives excellent compression.
TransTape is a medical-grade adhesive that allows guys to flatten their chests without wearing a traditional binder. The process is pretty unique, and it isn’t suited to all body types, but it’s an amazing alternative that most guys will want to try out at least once.
Want to know more about binding, safety precautions, and recommendations? Read this guide!
Stand-to-Pee (STP) Device ($50)
STPs allow transgender men (or anyone, really) to urinate standing up through a funnel that creates a seal over the urethra. They offer a great deal of convenience since most men’s restrooms emphasize urinals over stalls and provide gender euphoria. STPs also increase safety since standing to pee delivers stealth, compared to the assumed suspicion of sitting to urinate in public male spaces.
TG Supply’s Lou is considered the best budget-friendly “all-in-one” STP for beginners. Despite sitting at a relatively low price point, the Lou is capable of daily packing, standing-to-pee functionality, and intimate “play” activities. And unlike some unwieldy STPs, the Lou takes little practice to master.
Consider yourself quirky and crafty? Basic STPs are easy to make at home, although they won’t look very “penis-like” to be stealth at a urinal.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Kit ($25)
If he travels frequently, a portable HRT kit is a great gift to keep his medication secure. These tend to use hard casing to allow users to store testosterone vials, syringes, bandages, and alcohol wipes. The case protects the glass vials in case of being dropped and ensures everything stays organized – which can reduce the hassle when going through TSA.
Note: Always keep your prescription label with your medication, especially when traveling with testosterone. HRT kits also don’t insulate medication, so remember that testosterone needs to be kept at a certain temperature to remain usable.
Guys have a complex relationship with these early “beards.” It’s the first facial hair we’re able to grow, so we’re hesitant to shave, similar to teenage boys – regardless of how bad it may look. The Dollar Shave Club and Harry’s both provide excellent starter shaving sets that ease him into shaving.
Journaling can be a great tool to deal with stress and self-esteem issues, which all men experience – including transgender men. By getting him an affirmation journal, you’re guiding him to reframe negative thoughts into optimistic ones and dig into core beliefs holding him back.
Unlike other gift recommendations, I don’t have a particular product in mind. Any affirmation journal works, but he’ll probably appreciate one centered for masculine experiences (in other words, don’t get a sparkly pink one unless he likes pink and has a good sense of humor).
If he’s not the most keen on journaling, you could make a challenge with a reward at the end through joint goal setting. It’s never too early to make New Year’s resolutions!
Transgender Guide & Workbook ($20)
For guys less-than-confident about their transition, workbooks provide structured guidance regarding medical, social, and legal transition. These books are both self-help and data-packed to answer questions he wouldn’t think to ask.
The Queer and Transgender Resilience Workbook by Anneliese A. Singh and Sage Buch’s The Transmasculine Guide to Physical Transition Workbook: For Trans, Nonbinary, and Other Masculine Folks are tied for this spot. Both books have interactive exercises to inspire readers to delve deeper into their identities and gender affirmation journeys.
There’s something magical about reading a good memoir. As transgender men, we lack quality media that authentically represent our gender identity and manage to still tell a captivating story. Unlike other nonfiction, good memoirs weave advice while exploring the author’s life to inspire the reader.
There are hundreds of transgender memoirs out there, but the three I recommend most are Becoming a Visible Man, Balls, and Some Assembly Required since they’re great starting points – even for folks not into reading nonfiction.
Becoming a Visible Man was published by Jamison Green in 2004, considered a classic amongst transgender memoirs as Jamison relates his medical transition at the age of 40. Most assume folks have to transition as soon as possible, usually around the age of 18, but Jamison represents an experience just as common, even if rarely shown.
Chris Edwards wrote Balls: It Takes Some to Get Some in 2016 to chronicle his experience seeking gender affirmation surgery. There’s a stark lack of information regarding female-to-male bottom surgery, and Balls has been praised for humanizing the journey.
Some Assembly Required: The Not-So-Secret Life of a Transgender Teen was the first transmasculine memoir I ever read, so I’m admittedly attached to it. Like the other two books, it’s humorous but instead focuses on Arin Andrews’ time in high school as a transgender young person. If the transgender man in your life has identified as trans since he was a teenager, he’ll enjoy the read.
Pride flags are cool. The only problem with pride flags is that most folks get the cheapest one available. Even if his current flag was purchased at a pride festival or queer nonprofit, there is a high likelihood that the quality will be terrible and that it was produced in sweatshops overseas. In my previous work at a queer nonprofit, they purchased flags in bulk from Temu to sell at full price – so it’s more likely than you think.
My recommendation is getting a flag through a small business, like Flags for Good. Their flags are made ethically for the same price you’ll see at major pride festivals. They also design flags, so you can give him something unique – like a pride flag catered to his home state or city.
Gifts don’t have to be physically wrapped and put under a tree to be enjoyed. If he’s more into making memories, plan something to do together based on his interests. Make a day (or weekend) trip to your nearest city, look up cool shops, drag shows, museums, concerts, and support meetings.
Even in conservative states, cities remain liberal hubs with plenty of attractions and are pretty open-minded. So get to planning!
Charity Donation (Pick Your Own Budget!)
Maybe he’s not into physical gifts, and none of the above options stuck out. For a guy who’s got it all, you can donate to a cause in his name – just make sure he’s keen on the idea.
There are hundreds of nonprofits out there, so pick a charity best tailored to him. The most common ones include the ACLU, HRC, Lambda Legal, Trevor Project, A4TE, Trans Lifeline, and SAGE, but make sure to consider smaller organizations or local nonprofits.
Looking for more gift guides?
Browse Trans Solidarity Project’s guides, or check out these posts:
Every person deserves support. Transgender people are no exception. But where do you find information, resources, and tools? With thousands of websites out there, getting connected can feel overwhelming. Here are ten important transgender websites you should be aware of.
Advocates for Trans Equality
A4TE was formed in 2024 when the National Center for Transgender Equality and Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund merged. For transgender Americans, A4TE might be the most important organization to be aware of.
Transgender people deserve access to healthcare. The Trans Health Project by A4TE guides users through understanding trans-inclusive (and exclusive) coverage through the American insurance industry, how to get a letter of medical necessity, and a hub of directories (like OutCare) for finding a trans-friendly healthcare provider.
Each state has different regulations regarding transgender healthcare. The Project includes information regarding each state, as well as Medicaid policies. It also provides templates to give to your provider, easing the insurance process with checklists and letter formats, as well as appeal templates if your insurance company disagrees that your care should be covered.
ID Document Center
You don’t need a law degree to legally change your name or gender marker. Regardless, it can feel like you should – updating your documents is complicated and you’ll have to navigate a complex system with forms, deadlines, and meetings.
The ID Document Center explains the processes behind updating one’sinformation on birth certificate, driver’s license, state ID, passports, social security, immigration documents, and selective service based on the individual state.
Name Change Project
Low-income individuals in select cities are eligible for pro bono legal name change services through A4TE and its partners. Eligible applicants are connected with law firms and corporate legal departments local to their region. At the time of this article, A4TE’s Name Change Project services individuals in the following cities:
Atlanta, Georgia
Chicago, Illinois
New York City (all five boroughs in New York and Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Union, and Middlesex counties in New Jersey)
Long Island, New York
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
If you live outside of the above cities, you can still find assistance through organizations listed in A4TE’s Trans Legal Services Network.
And Other Incredible Services
A4TE takes on a small number of critical court cases each year to establish new legal precedents regarding transgender law. Impact litigation services are generally unrelated to ID cases that would otherwise be covered in the ID Document Center.
Folks residing in the United States or Canada can utilize Trans Lifeline, a grassroots nonprofit that operates an anonymous and confidential hotline for trans people, by trans people.
Unlike other crisis services (such as 988), Trans Lifeline does not use nonconsensual active rescue and will not call emergency services or law enforcement without the explicit consent of the caller. They’re also not affiliated with the federal government and cannot be impacted by federal attacks, such as those targeting the Trevor Project or 988.
Trans Lifeline also hosts a Resource Library, which contains resources that are unlikely to be found elsewhere, such as information on police abolition and community safety.
Originally known as TS Road Map, the Transgender Map has existed online since 1998 and contains over 2,000 pages of researched content to guide visitors through trans-related topics.
It’s regularly updated through the massive undertaking of one individual. Coming out advice, HRT, clothing, voice training, disclosure, handwriting, documents, marriage, films, forums… Transgender Map covers nearly everything you could think of when it comes to transitioning.
Are there books you want to read but don’t have access to? Transgender media isn’t frequently distributed through major publishers, so readers are forced to purchase literature when these items are not available in local libraries. Trans Reads is the community-driven solution to make transgender books accessible.
As a digital community library, anyone can upload content for Trans Reads’ librarians to curate. All items are publicly available at all times. The only downside to the site is its sorting, and it contains thousands of pieces that you’ll have to search through. While Trans Reads offers some reading lists, there aren’t many – its librarians are focused on collecting and uploading items, so you have to know what you’re looking for ahead of time.
Interested in more free clear web virtual libraries?
Internet Archive / Originally created as a library in 1996, the Internet Archive uses web crawlers to collect as much data as possible to provide “universal access to information.” Items can be virtually borrowed with a free account.
Library Genesis (aka LibGen) / The most well-known shadow library on the clear web. Due to constant attacks and takedowns by the federal government since shadow libraries disperse paywalled content for free, you might have to search for its current URL or mirror.
Audiobook Bay / Similar to The Pirate Bay, generally safe, but use with caution. Check the website’s Reddit to find the most current mirror. To access Audiobook Bay, you’ll likely need a VPN like Proton.
Project Gutenberg / PG is the oldest digital library and has provided books via open format files since 1971. Out of all of the libraries listed, it’s the easiest to access since all of its items are public domain and therefore not subject to copyright takedowns.
Queer Liberation Library / QLL offers books through its free account system, and its site is great when used in tandem with others like Trans Reads, since its librarians offer a ton of book suggestions.
Digital Transgender Archive
DTA is the world’s largest trans-focused online archive. It contains thousands of items similar to the Internet Archive before the 2000s, hosting uploaded books, artworks, publications, audio recordings, and films.
The Digital Transgender Archive is the best place to research transgender history, especially in tandem with the Internet Archive. Items date back to the 1500s up to modern day.
Strands for Trans
Many transgender and nonbinary people feel uncomfortable going to salons or barbershops. Hair plays a role in gender expression and our ability to feel represented. However, salons and barbershops have gendered expectations – so there’s little way to know if a stylist will be transgender-friendly.
Strands For Trans is a data map that allows visitors to locate self-identified transgender-friendly salons and barbershops. To be eligible, businesses have to submit their application for review through the Strands For Trans website, similar to Everywhere Is Queer.
REFUGE
Using archival data from Safe2Pee, REFUGE is a community data map that shows transgender-friendly restrooms. Visitors upload and pinpoint safe locations to help their peers feel comfortable.
Unlike other maps, REFUGE leans heavily into user experiences – so it’s easier to know if a location is genuinely trans-friendly based on other transgender people’s experiences.
Erin in the Morning
Erin Reed is an American journalist who provides daily updates on transgender-relevant news and legislation. Her videos are bite-sized and easy to digest; her substack and newsletters are detailed and researched. Stay aware of ongoing attacks on trans rights as well as victories, subscribe to Erin in some way to be connected to the national picture.
In addition to daily content, Erin also manages two maps of interest. The National Risk Assessment Map visualizes anti-transgender legislation for transgender adults and youth to better understand safety risks. Erin’s Informed Consent HRT Map is a public pin map of known informed consent HRT providers throughout the United States.
Similarly, the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) is an independent think tank that visualizes legislation on a larger range of issues. MAP’s data is updated less frequently than Erin’s, but covers more topics like bathroom laws, healthcare regulations, name change protocols, and religious exemptions.
The Transgender Legislation Tracker visualizes and tracks transgender-related legislation throughout the United States. Each state is accounted for, showing currently proposed, passed, and active bills, as well as federal legislation. Erin in the Morning is best used to digest and understand these bills, but the Transgender Legislation Tracker directs you to the actual legislation.
Turn Me Into…
The following sites are great resources for individuals who are questioning their gender or are early in their transition. In a society that demonizes transness, it’s easy to feel conflicted or uncertain. All of the following sites debunk common myths and walk visitors through the questioning process.
The Gender Dysphoria Bible is another great resource. The “Turn Me Into” websites are shorter and cover general topics many questioning folk have early in the process. The Gender Dysphoria Bible, on the other hand, is extensive. Similar to the Lesbian Comphet Masterdoc, the Gender Dysphoria Bible touches on ideas you probably didn’t consider related to trans identity.
And as an honorable mention, the Pronoun Dressing Room is good for folks experimenting with pronouns, names, and gendered titles. The site allows users to try out identities without needing to come out publicly or use social media accounts.
Reddit
On its own, Reddit is a BEAST. It’s a collection of communities that use forums to chat. Reddit is used by all sorts of people – right-wingers, leftists, liberals, apolitical types. Heck, even my grandmother uses Reddit. Compared to traditional platforms like Facebook, Reddit allows for greater anonymity and niche communities.
There are millions of subreddits (individual communities or forums) out there. There are thousands of trans-specific subreddits, so I can safely promise there is a community out there for you. These are the largest and most generalized three for trans folks.
No matter who you are, names have unparalleled importance since they often define us and serve as a core aspect of our identity. Names may have even more significance to transgender people since they play a vital role in affirming our gender identities and overall health.
Looking for more educational guides?
Browse Trans Solidarity Project’s guides, or check out these posts:
Disclaimer: This article should serve as a GUIDE, not a MANUAL. Every journey is different, and thus, there is no singular way to be trans. Some of these tips may be helpful, while others may not – and that’s okay!
Choosing a new name can be a stressful process. Many (but not all) transgender people choose a new name to identify with as part of their transition since most names have a traditional gender associated with them, so a new name is needed as part of the transition journey. The new name is referred to as a chosen name or affirmed name, whereas the old name they were assigned at birth may be called their deadname, former name, birth name, assigned name, legal name, or some other variant.
The term ‘preferred name’ is ill-advised since it linguistically implies a transgender person’s new name is simply a preference to their previous name – and thus their previous name is still able to be used. Preferred names do exist, but only if someone has multiple chosen names they like being referred by, and not if the only two ‘options’ are a chosen name and a deadname.
One of the most common sources of names (for transgender and cisgender people alike) is family history. There is a certain prestige associated with being named after an important relative, which is why it’s not uncommon for people to pick names from these traditions. Take linguistics into account while picking your name, too. Heritage can be a fantastic inspiration, but be mindful of whether your prospective names have certain races and ethnicities associated with them.
It’s a good idea to take your family into account, regardless of the name you ultimately choose. If you have three cousins named some variant of Megan, do you really want to be the fourth? What about the family drama of picking the same name as your sibling? And while ancestor names are great, you might (or might not) want to be a 20-year-old guy named Bartholomew in 2025. Relatedly, you can also discuss names with your family, such as your parents, assuming they are supportive of your identity. At the end of the day, the name you go by is yours to decide.
Personal Interests: Make It Fun!
The other most common inspiration trans folks draw names from is from personal interests, like celebrities, authors, musicians, actors, historical figures, and characters they admire. This isn’t something just trans people do, either – plenty of cisgender prospective parents use celebrities when coming up with names, as evidenced by name trends whenever there’s a new famous baby born or a new actor that ascends to stardom. However, as mentioned in the previous section, be mindful of names that have associated races and ethnicities attached to them, since it’s poor taste to take a Japanese or Black name as a white person.
There are additional factors to take into account when using this type of inspiration. First, be aware that celebrities are people – musicians are more associated with scandals, but any human is capable of doing less-than-admirable things. In the very least, your chosen name will remind you of a person you used to look up to. At most, you might have an extremely infamous name like O.J. that’s widely associated with a public scandal. Furthermore, your interests will inevitably change – it’s human! Just be mindful of the fact that your favorite anime or TV show will be different from today compared to ten years from now.
It’s Your Name, Resonate With It!
At the end of the day, you don’t need a reason behind your name. You’re allowed to pick any name you resonate with – so consider names you’ve always liked. Some folks use baby name books to spark inspiration, which works too!
While family may provide great suggestions for prospective names, friends and community members can also be a good source. Is there a nickname you’ve always gone by that could work? Are there ways to masculinize, feminize, or androgynize your name? You don’t have to get an entirely new name – some individuals choose to alter their name to simply better fit their gender identity.
Try It Out: Getting Used To Your Name
It can be awkward adjusting to a new name. Make an active effort and practice using your new name in conversations. If you’re struggling with it, the advice I recommend to cisgender folks adjusting to friends and family members’ new names is PRACTICE. Specifically, for each time you mess up, say aloud the correct name in a sentence at least five times. The only way to correct old habits is by forming new ones, which is why folks struggle with change unless they make the effort.
There are also resources online for this same purpose. Take an extra step and use your new name in other online settings, like forums and social media accounts, so you can normalize your chosen name in additional settings. Some sites I recommend include:
Names are a big deal! Do you care if your name is easy to spell or pronounce? In places such as the United States, non-white names will often be misspelled or mispronounced, as well as nontraditional white names like Mehgnn, Airwrecka, or Brandeigh. I want to emphasize that there is nothing wrong with having a “difficult” name, but be prepared to correct people.
Another important aspect to consider is whether you need your name to come across as “professional.” Ultimately, people make predictions based on names alone – even before someone has met you, they’ve already made assumptions about you. Certain names are associated with distinct ages, personalities, and other factors. Do you want one name used universally, or would you prefer different variations like Benjamin, Ben, Benny, and Benji?
Making It Official
To legally change your name outside of marriage or divorce, you must file a court order. This generally requires paperwork to be filed with your local circuit court. Contrary to popular belief, you do not file your name change in your birth city/county – you file your change with the county you live in. The exact forms vary by state, but guidance isn’t too difficult to find since many people change their legal names for non-transition reasons. The forms have to be filed electronically or otherwise online unless you qualify for an exemption. If you qualify, your documents can be filed in person at your local courthouse.
Once filed, you’ll be assigned a court date in the near future, where you will appear before a judge and explain the reasoning for the change before it is officially signed. On that date, you will need to make sure you have your stamped copies of your Name Change Request and Order for Name Change, as well as any criminal records (including any documentation showing previous felonies discharged). Answer the judge and their questions honestly. If the court denies your name change request, ask for another hearing – you have the right to do so. If it was denied due to a mistake on your part, ask the judge to continue the hearing to a later date so you can correct the error. Otherwise, you have the right to file an appeal as long as you file within 30 days of the judge’s decision. Occasionally, some judges will deny trans-related name changes due to personal bias – but these aren’t permissible and are overwhelmingly overturned once appealed. In the words of Lambda Legal, “a judge cannot arbitrarily deny you a name change based on transphobic or sexist notions.”
Looking for a way to remove your deadname while browsing the internet? This free Chrome extension visually replaces your deadname with your chosen name – although it doesn’t actually change your name in the computer code or legally.
This order almost always requires a fee, although it can often be waived if you meet certain income-based criteria. The fee varies drastically based on median county income, but criteria waivers often include:
A number of states require applicants to publish their upcoming name change in a local newspaper, although this is being changed since it is unhelpful and outs folks. This requirement was originally created to notify debt collectors in order to better follow-up on cases.
If your court file open to the public poses a legitimate risk to your health or safety, you can file a Motion to Impound, which requires courts to make your forms private and therefore inaccessible to the public without specific permission granted by a judge. This comes up more often with trans folks since these records potentially out you as transgender.
As one final note, always remember you are allowed to change your name. It’s your identity! It’s okay if the name you choose today isn’t your forever name.
For most, college is both exciting and terrifying. Along with turning eighteen, entering college is the cornerstone of young adulthood for Americans. Finished with high school, college is the first real transition Americans experience as they move away to live separately from their parents. That brings independence, new social opportunities, the need for money management, and everything else that comes with living on your own.
Until recently, the legal understanding of Title IX was that if the law applies to biological sex, then discrimination against one’s adherence or nonadherence to biological sex-associated gender roles and stereotypes wholly falls under Title IX as sex discrimination. If a gay man is harassed on campus because he isn’t masculine enough, it constitutes Title IX because anti-queer harassment ultimately relies on sex-based stereotypes. All Biden’s guidance did was allow LGBTQIA+ students to file discrimination more easily since they could argue it was based on sexual orientation or gender identity rather than having to make the roundabout case above. TLDR: You are still protected under Title IX as a transgender student, but under the Trump administration, you’ll have to file your argument differently.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects students’ information and confidentiality. Once in college, your parents can no longer have access to your records without your explicit consent. So, while your parents would know if you changed your name or pronouns on school documents while in high school, that is no longer the case at college since FERPA forbids that information from being shared. FERPA also requires schools to prevent outing as much as possible, so staff are unable to share your personal information with other professors or students.
Colleges cannot require proof of your gender identity or legal changes to update most documents like student emails, IDs, and rosters. The only exception to this is your health records and college diploma, which will require legal documentation to change.
Professors need to call you by your chosen name, even if it’s not legally changed. People are allowed to make honest mistakes, but purposely misgendering and deadnaming transgender students puts them at increased risk of harm since it outs them.
Colleges have a responsibility to take action when informed of bullying, harassment, and discrimination on campus – including when it applies to queer and transgender students.
Students have a right to use the restroom and locker room that aligns with their gender identity, and colleges cannot force students to use separate facilities. It’s great if a school has a gender-neutral bathroom, but they can’t require you to use it since that would violate the Equal Access Act. I’ll caveat here that locker rooms are up in the air since the Trump administration is waging a war on transgender students’ access to sports.
You have the right to present yourself as your gender identity. Colleges cannot police or restrict expression simply because they dislike it or it’s “controversial.” The Supreme Court has a long history of supporting students’ right to self-expression. Schools cannot ban you from wearing a dress unless they ban dresses amongst all students, nor can they ban a shirt with a progressive rainbow unless they ban all graphic shirts.
Students have a right to choose who and who not to tell they are LGBTQIA+. Colleges are forbidden from outing students under FERPA, which includes details like your deadname, transgender status, and medical history.
If your college offers extracurricular activities (like chess club, Christian associations, or D&D), you have the right to form and be in a school LGBTQIA+ association like a Gay-Straight Alliance.
These laws apply to all American universities and colleges that receive federal funding. Even if they are religious, institutions that use federal funding must adhere to Title IX, FERPA, and other federal laws. Schools that do not want to follow these rules must either be entirely privately funded or apply for religious exemption, which is relatively difficult to get. Out of those colleges, I wouldn’t recommend trans students since these colleges are notoriously anti-transgender.
In addition to these federal protections, you may be further entitled (or marginalized) based on where exactly you live in the United States. Some states, like California, New York, and Illinois, have comprehensive laws protecting LGBTQIA+ students, while others, like Texas and Florida, fall short.
Even if you live in a conservative state, your university might still include LGBTQIA+ identities in its nondiscrimination policies – so it’s important to research your schools! I highly recommend Campus Pride Index as a free resource. They’ve been researching and compiling colleges since 2006 and have a searchable database that gives users insight into cost, atmosphere, and other useful metrics on what LGBTQIA+ resources are available at their school. It’s by far the easiest way to determine if a college has a queer resource center, campus events, nondiscrimination policies, and healthcare coverage. They even maintain lists of the country’s best and worst campuses for LGBTQIA+ students. If your school is not listed on Campus Pride, you should still be able to locate relevant policies. Most often, you’ll want to search for “nondiscrimination policies,” “student handbooks,” or general “policies and guidelines.” If internet searches fail you, don’t hesitate to reach out to your admin staff – they’re there to help you when you have questions about campus policies!
Amongst your university’s policies, you’ll also find guidelines on how to report harassment, discrimination, and general bullying. Always try to follow your college’s established procedures first when you experience harassment – give your administration the benefit of the doubt and remember to document all incidents, filed complaints, and communication you have with administration. If your school refuses to take your complaint seriously, you should then involve outside resources like local LGBTQIA+ nonprofits, GLSEN, or your state ACLU chapter. These organizations will help you determine the next steps best suited for your situation.
Some situations might require you to file a lawsuit against your school. You will likely want to have guidance from a legal authority like the ACLU before proceeding with filing or sourcing a competent legal group to represent you. You can also file complaints to the United States Department of Education – but given the political climate, you might not get a good response regardless of your legal rights. If you go this route, remember you only have 180 days to file a complaint with the Department and to file the discrimination as “sex-based.” Complaints that are not fully completed are automatically trashed and not investigated. Include as many details as possible, and keep in mind that your complaint is required to be confidential under federal law.
You’re going to be busy the first week of the semester. Everyone is. Try to get all your paperwork completed before the first day of class and reduce future headaches. Nearly all of this will require working with your campus administration, for better or worse.
As mentioned above, universities do not legally have to have a court order or medical documentation to update your name or gender marker in most of their electronic systems, but the process for doing so likely won’t be easy or straightforward unless they have already set up their systems for these changes. Many schools use ancient software to process and store student information, which is why admins huff and puff at being asked to change a student’s name. However, a process being annoying or difficult is not grounds to deny you from changing your name or gender marker at school. At college, you are paying to be there – the admins essentially work for you, and your comfort, safety, and overall confidentiality are worth pursuing. Some examples of items you can (and should) change include:
Your official school email, including associated accounts with it, like Word and Outlook.
Your public name in homework submission portals like Blackboard and Canvas.
Your school ID.
Classroom rosters.
Sports uniforms, if applicable.
The only items that require a legal order from a court to update in university software are:
Your diploma and transcript.
Financial aid information stored by FAFSA and your college’s financial aid office.
And personal health information stored by your college’s health center.
Anything else can be changed as an unofficial nickname. Your university is able to mark you as your identified gender in the class roster sent to campus professors without a court-ordered gender marker change. Legal orders only require your school to comply, but it is entirely possible to change most items before that point.
Dr. Genny Beemyn has the most current database of universities and colleges that allow transgender students to use a nonlegal name or pronouns in their files, originally hosted through Campus Pride’s TPC. Check their site to see if your school makes the list.
I’m not naïve – and I don’t recommend you be, either. Despite the law and clear instructions, I have been told myself by college admins things along the lines of “no, we can’t do that without court papers” and “hmm, yeah, I think we know the law better than you do and we don’t have to update your information.” I’ve also come across administrators who are extremely willing to make those minor changes – and my experience isn’t an anomaly. Given the environment academic administrators work in, you’re going to get a mixed bag of individuals who are willing to help as well as others who will throw a fit at your request. Some of them might be aware of LGBTQIA+ issues and why it’s important to get these items changed, while other administrators will huff because “it’s against their religion” to treat you with respect or update your information. And unfortunately, they hold all of the cards. In the event you experience discrimination from your university administration, you will have to follow your campus’ procedures for reporting it – which requires more conversations with admin. Depending on how LGBTQIA+ competent your school is, this paperwork could be an uphill battle.
Map of Healthcare Laws and Policy Exclusions by State, Movement Advancement Project
Regardless, the Trans Policy Clearinghouse has a list of colleges that explicitly list their transgender healthcare inclusions – now hosted on Genny Beemyn’s website.
The last major player in this category is housing. Most people don’t know who their roommate will be, although a growing number of universities are trying to match students with compatible roommates based on preferences. This can be even more anxiety-inducing for transgender students since you have to worry further about what gender you’ll be assigned for housing and whether your roommate will be chill with your identity or totally hateful. At least 470 schools are documented as having “gender-inclusive housing” on campus, which means there is a dorm, facility, or other living space that students can live in regardless of gender identity or sex assigned at birth. Genny Beemyn has an ongoing database of schools that publicly list having these housing options available, but the vast majority of high-ranking colleges on the Campus Pride Index will have this available.
Live Your Life: Finding the Basics for Survival
Considering most Americans begin college around the age of eighteen, university presents the first genuine opportunity for students to medical transition through gender-affirming care like hormone replacement therapy. The feasibility of doing so will depend on your school’s healthcare coverage, but the bottom line is that the ACA requires such care to be possible if you manage to complete their required steps, since gender-affirming care is medically necessary. Typically, these steps include sourcing a licensed mental health professional who is willing to write a letter certifying that your transgender identity is ‘established,’ not a phase, and you can make major decisions like beginning HRT based on your current mental state.
No matter how conservative your university is, you are not the first transgender student that has attended it, although you might be one of its first openly trans students. Transgender people live in all climates, including cities, suburbs, and the rural countryside. If your school has an LGBTQIA+ resource center or queer student organization, ask them first where trans students go for gender-affirming healthcare. If your school doesn’t, you’ll have to do some research: ask around online, like city-specific Facebook groups and subreddits, call the nearest LGBTQIA+ nonprofit, or visit a government health department. The last two will have staff available with the purpose of finding relevant resources – so use ’em!
Even if you’re battling administration for the items I referenced in the previous section, you can still email your upcoming professors prior to the semester. Most professors make an effort to use students’ nicknames anyway to foster a better classroom environment. So, if you happen to know who your professors will be, send them an email before the first day explaining your situation and that your assigned name and gender on their official roster don’t match what you go by. Use this email template and plug in your information. Even though my college admin eventually did change my name in their systems, I still had to send out emails since rosters were sent before the admin had made the change.
If you’re going the route of emailing your professors, remember it won’t solve everything. Without your university administration updating official rosters, you will encounter issues with other staff. Most often, this applies to substitute teachers and teacher assistants – subs sometimes get copies of the official roster rather than the one your regular professor uses. This means you can potentially be outed by a sub until your campus information is actually changed.
If you are beginning to live openly trans for the first time, you’ll discover how difficult it can be to advocate for yourself. More than anyone else, you have your best interests in mind – and there are uneducated people in every space, including college. Prepare for headaches, find quick resources to give to curious folks, learn when to shut down ‘curious’ Devil’s advocates, and have a plan in place to deal with incoming microaggressions. This is easier said than done, but I cannot emphasize how important it is for your own sake as well as future transgender students that will inevitably attend your university. Yes, it can be easier to just ride out the semester and not correct the side remarks by your professor – and sometimes, that’s what you need to do to emotionally and physically survive. But by not confronting those hard conversations, you leave the work for the next student that comes.
To an extent, you can also research trans-friendly restrooms, businesses, and events close to campus prior to the semester beginning – although sometimes it’s smoother to wait until you have real people to ask while navigating your first weeks. When you’re early in your transition, you need to feel safe and comfortable. Genny Beemyn has TPC’s previous list of universities with published maps of gender-neutral restrooms on campus, BUT I also recommend the REFUGE app. REFUGE is a free mobile app that lets users pinpoint trans-friendly bathrooms. You might be the first in your area to utilize the app and have a blank slate, or you might find a filled map with a treasure trove of tips. Either way, REFUGE allows you to build an underground resource for yourself and others at your school.
While on campus, the best (and most traditional) way to determine whether a space is LGBTQIA+ friendly is through “safe space” signage. Today, these signs are most common among less progressive schools where acceptance isn’t seen as the norm, but they’re great anywhere. Beyond campus grounds, these apps and sites are good ways to find trans-affirming spaces:
Strands for Trans is an online database for barbershops and hair salons.
Everywhere Is Queer is a mobile app for all businesses (including virtual ones), similar to Strands for Trans. Businesses self-report whether they identify as LGBTQIA+ friendly.
For bars and nightlife, look into GayCities, Travel Gay, and Yelp. GayCities and Travel Gay are better options if you live near a metropolitan area, but Yelp is more helpful for less populated regions.
Beyond websites and mobile apps, the best way to really determine whether a business is trans-friendly is by word of mouth. Find other queer and trans people on campus or a queer nonprofit – their experiences are worth significantly more than self-reported labels online. And while I’m aware of other websites that compile businesses, like Pink Robin, Hey Fam, LGBTQ+ Business Week, LGBTQIA Hub, and the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, these sites focus heavily on e-commerce. Large cities like NYC and the Queer Money Project – and cities are more likely to have listings on apps such as Qlist and MisterB&B.
Support Yourself: Self-Care Matters
In order to thrive at college, you have to think beyond the basics. Between assignments and dealing with less-than-supportive classmates and staff, you will need an outlet for support. Be proactive and plan to create support as your semester begins. And if you’re struggling with coming out at college, Campus Pride has a resource tailored for you – and here is the most current copy of the Coming Out as a Transgender Person Workbook.
The simplest way to get connected with like-minded peers is to join a student organization. Clubs and other associates exist no matter the size of your school, including if you attend community college. Look for organizations that cater to queer identities (if possible) or interests you have. If you find your university lacks sufficient organizations, you’re entitled to create your own as long as you follow your school’s policies and have a staff member to serve as the club sponsor. In my experience, LGBTQIA+ college student organizations are way more active than high school ones – from anti-bullying campaigns to social functions, they’re worth checking out and giving a chance.
Speaking of which, check to see if your college has an LGBTQIA+ resource center. These are specific departments created by the university to handle LGBTQIA+ issues, training, clubs, and support. Schools with resource centers typically score higher on all metrics of the Campus Pride Index since they help recruit and retain queer students by fostering a safe campus environment. If your school lacks an LGBTQIA+ resource center, it may have something related like a “diversity department.” These are more common in community colleges and smaller schools that lack the funds to have multiple departments.
It feels like a stereotype, but queer people are good at finding each other. Use your natural gaydar to find safe friends to connect with. They don’t have to necessarily dress or “look” gay, but trust your gut when you feel good or bad vibes from your fellow classmates. People pay to go to college and learn, so they’re at least marginally more open-minded than the general population.
Being transgender shouldn’t limit you from traditional college activities that your cisgender peers get to enjoy. Don’t limit yourself to hobbies and organizations solely surrounding your queer identity – use every resource available to you and try every club that you find interesting. Beyond clubs, the most common social resources are sports and Greek life.
Currently, per “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” transfeminine individuals are barred completely from participating in college sports. Transmasculine and nonbinary folks might be technically allowed right now, but you’re unlikely to find these spaces welcoming. As most readers probably know, these bans are based on vast misunderstandings of existing laws and policies – but the harm still exists.
The TLDR is that anti-transgender sports bans overwhelmingly overestimate transgender people’s involvement in athletic competitions and overwhelmingly underestimate the laws that already dictate when and if transgender people can perform. For example, while approximately 10,500 people try out for the Olympics, fewer than a dozen might identify as transgender. That calculates to 0.001% of those folks trying out. To not be automatically disqualified during this process, transgender people must provide medical and legal documentation of their gender identity – which includes proving they have been consistently using estrogen HRT and using testosterone supplements for multiple years to force their hormone levels to be identical to biologically female competitors. This standard by the International Olympic Committee is enforced in other sports, and for decades, it was the same applied to student sports. The Trump ban supersedes these precedents and bars trans people from competing no matter what. In the context of school, sports are well-understood as crucial for supporting students’ emotional and physical well-being since they provide an outlet for exercise while fostering team-building. Yet, because of the Trump administration’s ban, transgender students are forbidden from having these experiences.
“Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” is centered on competitive sports, so it’s unclear how strictly it is applied to noncompetitive or intramural sports clubs, but I advise caution since it will largely depend on the political climate of your school on whether they will use the executive order against you.
You don’t find many LGBTQIA+ people in Greek life. Part of it comes from its long history of strict gender roles for frat boys and sorority girls. Another part comes from Greek organizations not being kind to marginalized folks, especially considering how many organizations get accused of sexual harassment and hazing. Then, of course, Greek life is associated with higher incomes since joining these associations generally requires annual fees. Despite this, there are Greek organizations with explicit mission statements that include transgender people – and there are also organizations founded by LGBTQIA+ students.
Some sororities include:
Alpha Chi Omega (ΑΧΩ)
Alpha Delta Pi (ΑΔΠ)
Alpha Epsilon Phi (ΑΕΦ)
Alpha Gamma Delta (ΑΓΔ)
Alpha Lambda Zeta (ΑΛΖ)
Alpha Omicron Pi (ΑΟΠ)
Alpha Pi Delta (ΑΠΔ)
Alpha Sigma Alpha (AΣA)
Alpha Sigma Tau (ΑΣΤ)
Alpha Xi Delta (ΑΞΔ)
Beta Phi Omega (ΒΦΩ)
Delta Delta Delta (ΔΔΔ)
Delta Gamma (ΔΓ)
Delta Phi Epsilon (ΔΦΕ)
Gamma Phi Beta (ΓΦΒ)
Gamma Rho Lambda (GRL)
Eta Epsilon Gamma (ΗΕΓ)
Eta Iota Mu (ΗΙΜ)
Kappa Alpha Lambda (ΚΑΛ)
Kappa Alpha Theta (ΚΑΘ)
Kappa Delta (ΚΔ)
Kappa Kappa Gamma (ΚΚΓ)
Kappa Omega Omicron (ΚΏΟ)
Kappa Theta Epsilon (ΚΘΕ)
Kappa Xi Omega (ΚΞΩ)
Lambda Delta Lambda (ΛΔΛ)
Omicron Epsilon Pi (ΟΕΠ)
Phi Omega (ΦΩ)
Phi Sigma Sigma (ΦΣΣ)
Sigma Alpha Iota (ΣAI)
Sigma Delta Tau (ΣΔΤ)
Sigma Omega Phi (ΣΩΦ)
Sigma Phi Chi (ΣΦΧ)
Sigma Sigma Sigma (ΣΣΣ)
Theta Phi Alpha (ΘΦΑ)
Zeta Omega Eta (ΖΩΗ)
Zeta Tau Alpha (ΖΤΑ)
Zeta Theta Psi (ΖΘΨ)
Some fraternities include:
Acacia
Alpha Sigma Phi (AΣΦ)
Beta Gamma Pi (ΒΓΠ)
Beta Theta Pi (BΘΠ)
Chi Phi (XΦ)
Chi Psi (XΨ)
Delta Chi (ΔX)
Delta Lambda Phi (ΔΛΦ)
Delta Phi Upsilon (ΔΦΥ)
Delta Sigma Phi (ΔΣΦ)
Delta Tau Delta (ΔΤΔ)
Delta Upsilon (ΔΥ)
Kappa Delta Rho (KΔP)
Kappa Kappa Psi (KKΨ)
Kappa Psi Kappa (ΚΨΚ)
Lambda Chi Alpha (ΛXA)
Omega Delta Phi (ΩΔΦ)
Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ)
Phi Kappa Tau (ΦKT)
Phi Sigma Kappa (ΦΣK)
Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠKA)
Pi Kappa Phi (ΠKΦ)
Pi Lambda Phi (ΠΛΦ)
Psi Upsilon (ΨY)
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣAE)
Sigma Chi (ΣΧ)
Sigma Epsilon Omega (ΣΕΩ)
Sigma Phi Beta (ΣΦΒ)
Sigma Phi Epsilon (ΣΦE)
Sigma Nu (ΣN)
Sigma Tau Gamma (ΣTΓ)
Tau Beta Sigma (TBΣ)
Tau Kappa Epsilon (ΤΚΕ)
Theta Chi (ΘX)
Theta Delta Chi (ΘΔX)
Theta Xi (ΘΞ)
Zeta Alpha Delta (ΖΑΔ)
Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT)
And some all-gender Greek associations include:
Alpha Delta Phi Society (ΑΔΦ)
The Euglossian Society (ΕΥΓ)
Lambda Alpha Lambda (ΛΑΛ)
Lambda Delta Xi (ΛΔΞ)
Nu Delta (ΝΔ)
Phi Sigma Pi (ΦΣΠ)
Th Delta Sigma (ΘΔΣ)
Theta Pi Sigma (ΘΠΣ)
Zeta Delta Xi (ΖΔΞ)
Sigma Omicron Rho (ΣΟΡ)
Even if you are introverted, shy, or otherwise not a social person, I highly recommend creating an in-person support system. Go to club meetings, join your local community, and make IRL friends. Entirely online support systems don’t foster the same level of mental wellness – although they can still be useful. For that purpose, here are some online resources for transgender college students.
⭐ Looking for generic trans resources? Click here.
Between going to class, making friends, and inevitably dealing with conflict, you need to set aside time for self-care. Do things you enjoy. Engage in therapy. Work on setting boundaries. Develop hobbies to do in your free time that don’t feel like work. And if you struggle with self-care, here’s an info hub by GSA Network.
And of course, small things matter. Assuming your dorm or living space allows it, cultivate your room to foster a sense of pride. You’ll be spending a lot of time in your room, so make it inviting – hang up a pride flag, put up some posters, and decorate the space to inspire joy. After a potentially long day at class dealing with people, don’t you deserve to feel comfortable and proud of who you are?
