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Sigh... It's just part of the experience

Guess what. I know this will be shocking but...

I'm a trans boy. *Gasp*

Anywho. One thing I do to maintain my identity is an injection of testosterone. Once per week I jab myself with a needle and hope for progress.

What progress, you ask?

Well, facial hair for starters. My face is so fuzzy! I've only shaved my face once since starting testosterone 7 years ago.

Then there's my voice. It's gotten much deeper but right now it's cracking again. It's the same as a cisgender boy going through puberty. But it's kinda cool cuz now I can sing super deep.

There's other less desirable things that I have, like horrible back hair and gaining weight.

But the one thing I hate the most is the acne. I don't have a lot but the few I do get turn into abscesses. I've got one on the side of my chin the size of a dime. It's still under the skin. Hurts like hell. A few weeks ago I had one on my right boob that still hasn't healed completely. It was awful. I had to get medicated powder.

So when people say I chose this, I can't help but laugh. No I assure you I didn't choose to be transgender. I realized I was supposed to be a boy when I was 5. I read about transgender people when I was 16 and for the first time I didn't feel alone in the world. I chose to live openly as a trans guy. I chose to accept the good and bad. I accepted the risk and consequences. But it was my authentic truth.

And I recently learned something. Freedom of agency no matter what religion you believe in means you get to decide what you think about people who differ from you. Just because we're different doesn't mean either of us is bad or wrong if we keep an open mind. Religion's teaching of hatred of people like me is how people miss out on some wonderful nuance. We stand to learn much when we stop hating people for being themselves.

#Transgender #LGBT #3rdpuberty

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Sigh... It's just part of the experience

Guess what. I know this will be shocking but...

I'm a trans boy. *Gasp*

Anywho. One thing I do to maintain my identity is an injection of testosterone. Once per week I jab myself with a needle and hope for progress.

What progress, you ask?

Well, facial hair for starters. My face is so fuzzy! I've only shaved my face once since starting testosterone 7 years ago.

Then there's my voice. It's gotten much deeper but right now it's cracking again. It's the same as a cisgender boy going through puberty. But it's kinda cool cuz now I can sing super deep.

There's other less desirable things that I have, like horrible back hair and gaining weight.

But the one thing I hate the most is the acne. I don't have a lot but the few I do get turn into abscesses. I've got one on the side of my chin the size of a dime. It's still under the skin. Hurts like hell. A few weeks ago I had one on my right boob that still hasn't healed completely. It was awful. I had to get medicated powder.

So when people say I chose this, I can't help but laugh. No I assure you I didn't choose to be transgender. I realized I was supposed to be a boy when I was 5. I read about transgender people when I was 16 and for the first time I didn't feel alone in the world. I chose to live openly as a trans guy. I chose to accept the good and bad. I accepted the risk and consequences. But it was my authentic truth.

And I recently learned something. Freedom of agency no matter what religion you believe in means you get to decide what you think about people who differ from you. Just because we're different doesn't mean either of us is bad or wrong if we keep an open mind. Religion's teaching of hatred of people like me is how people miss out on some wonderful nuance. We stand to learn much when we stop hating people for being themselves.

#Transgender #LGBT #3rdpuberty

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What Being Bisexual Really Feels Like: It’s Not What You Think

By Linda Athanasiadou

People often assume they know what being bisexual means. That it’s about liking men and women “equally.” That it’s indecisive, confusing, or temporary. That it’s a stepping stone to something else—or nothing serious at all. But the truth is, being bisexual doesn’t fit neatly into anyone’s assumptions. It’s not a phase. It’s not a performance. And it’s definitely not what most people think.

Being bisexual feels like freedom and friction at the same time. It’s the freedom to be attracted to more than one gender, to connect with people beyond binaries. But it’s also the friction of constantly navigating a world that struggles to recognize that truth. A world where people often ask, “But which do you prefer?” or assume that your current partner defines your orientation.

For me, being bisexual means living in the space between—and sometimes feeling like you don’t fully belong anywhere. Straight people often treat you like you’re gay. Queer spaces sometimes treat you like you’re straight. Dating can feel like a test: Will this person understand? Will I have to defend myself again?

It also means constantly coming out. Every new person, every new relationship, every time someone assumes. There’s no one-and-done moment. It’s ongoing. And while sometimes that feels empowering, other times it’s exhausting. Because each time, you’re weighing whether it’s safe, whether it’s worth the explanation, whether your truth will be accepted or minimized.

Being bisexual means sitting with contradictions that don’t feel contradictory to you—but do to others. It’s knowing that you can love a man and still be queer. That being in a same-gender relationship doesn’t make you any “more” gay than you were before. That identity isn’t measured by who you’re currently dating.

But it’s not all struggle. There’s beauty in the nuance. There’s clarity in understanding attraction as something fluid and not forced into a mold. There’s joy in finding others who feel the same, who share your language, who don’t raise an eyebrow when you say you’re bi. There’s power in rejecting the idea that your love has to look a certain way to be valid.

Being bisexual, for me, feels like reclaiming space. Space to define myself without apology. Space to unlearn shame. Space to feel fully seen.

So no—it’s not what most people think. It’s deeper, messier, and more real. And it’s not something that needs to be justified or simplified.

#lindaathanasiadou #athanasiadou #LGBTQ #Bisexual

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Post

What Being Bisexual Really Feels Like: It’s Not What You Think

By Linda Athanasiadou

People often assume they know what being bisexual means. That it’s about liking men and women “equally.” That it’s indecisive, confusing, or temporary. That it’s a stepping stone to something else—or nothing serious at all. But the truth is, being bisexual doesn’t fit neatly into anyone’s assumptions. It’s not a phase. It’s not a performance. And it’s definitely not what most people think.

Being bisexual feels like freedom and friction at the same time. It’s the freedom to be attracted to more than one gender, to connect with people beyond binaries. But it’s also the friction of constantly navigating a world that struggles to recognize that truth. A world where people often ask, “But which do you prefer?” or assume that your current partner defines your orientation.

For me, being bisexual means living in the space between—and sometimes feeling like you don’t fully belong anywhere. Straight people often treat you like you’re gay. Queer spaces sometimes treat you like you’re straight. Dating can feel like a test: Will this person understand? Will I have to defend myself again?

It also means constantly coming out. Every new person, every new relationship, every time someone assumes. There’s no one-and-done moment. It’s ongoing. And while sometimes that feels empowering, other times it’s exhausting. Because each time, you’re weighing whether it’s safe, whether it’s worth the explanation, whether your truth will be accepted or minimized.

Being bisexual means sitting with contradictions that don’t feel contradictory to you—but do to others. It’s knowing that you can love a man and still be queer. That being in a same-gender relationship doesn’t make you any “more” gay than you were before. That identity isn’t measured by who you’re currently dating.

But it’s not all struggle. There’s beauty in the nuance. There’s clarity in understanding attraction as something fluid and not forced into a mold. There’s joy in finding others who feel the same, who share your language, who don’t raise an eyebrow when you say you’re bi. There’s power in rejecting the idea that your love has to look a certain way to be valid.

Being bisexual, for me, feels like reclaiming space. Space to define myself without apology. Space to unlearn shame. Space to feel fully seen.

So no—it’s not what most people think. It’s deeper, messier, and more real. And it’s not something that needs to be justified or simplified.

#lindaathanasiadou #athanasiadou #LGBTQ #Bisexual

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I'm a great big scaredy cat puppy

Pauley helps me with my testosterone injections every week. I'm used to the super thin tiny pen needles for my insulin pens. I use sub Q needles for injection of the testosterone in my tummy but they're bigger gauge. She fills the syringe for me.

She always says just shove it in like a dart but I'm like *wiggles needle around and chickens out*

Today was T day. When she told me to shove it in she asked if I wanted help and I said yes. So she took the needle and BAM right in. I didn't feel a thing. Until I started pushing the plunger and OMG owie. But it got done.

Years ago she used to do my injections in my butt with regular needles. It's kinda hard to believe I'm doing my own injection. I'm not scared of the needle, I'm scared of making myself bleed.

#HRT #Transgender #LGBT #HormoneReplacementTherapy

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I'm a great big scaredy cat puppy

Pauley helps me with my testosterone injections every week. I'm used to the super thin tiny pen needles for my insulin pens. I use sub Q needles for injection of the testosterone in my tummy but they're bigger gauge. She fills the syringe for me.

She always says just shove it in like a dart but I'm like *wiggles needle around and chickens out*

Today was T day. When she told me to shove it in she asked if I wanted help and I said yes. So she took the needle and BAM right in. I didn't feel a thing. Until I started pushing the plunger and OMG owie. But it got done.

Years ago she used to do my injections in my butt with regular needles. It's kinda hard to believe I'm doing my own injection. I'm not scared of the needle, I'm scared of making myself bleed.

#HRT #Transgender #LGBT #HormoneReplacementTherapy

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Oooooooooooh!

My QPP and I have plans to go out for dinner tomorrow night but we didn't know where we were going. He knows I want to try the potato place but it's kinda far. Then I remembered a bar we went to a few years ago that has absolutely amazing food. So I suggested it and he said it sounded perfect.

I just looked over the menu. They have some really yummy food. I'm gonna get a super special grilled cheese sandwich. I know it's nothing fancy. The sandwich comes with french fries. I'm gonna get my one adult drink per year also. I get sweet tea mixed with licor 43. OMG it's so good.

www.oneeyedbettys.com

#Relationships #queer #queerplatonicrelationship #relationshipanarchy

One Eyed-Betty's | Ferndale, MI

Burgers & a wide variety of beers served in a bustling, casual space with pinball & music. Located in Ferndale, MI.
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Oooooooooooh!

My QPP and I have plans to go out for dinner tomorrow night but we didn't know where we were going. He knows I want to try the potato place but it's kinda far. Then I remembered a bar we went to a few years ago that has absolutely amazing food. So I suggested it and he said it sounded perfect.

I just looked over the menu. They have some really yummy food. I'm gonna get a super special grilled cheese sandwich. I know it's nothing fancy. The sandwich comes with french fries. I'm gonna get my one adult drink per year also. I get sweet tea mixed with licor 43. OMG it's so good.

www.oneeyedbettys.com

#Relationships #queer #queerplatonicrelationship #relationshipanarchy

One Eyed-Betty's | Ferndale, MI

Burgers & a wide variety of beers served in a bustling, casual space with pinball & music. Located in Ferndale, MI.
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It's 415am and I can't sleep

It might be because I drank a bottle of IQ Joe with my dinner lol.

Now Pauley and I are eating chocolate chips. She's going down obscure rabbit holes on Wikipedia while I'm just listening to music and researching medical stuff.

Today was testosterone Tuesday. I have been back on T for about 3 months. My facial hair is coming in thick and my voice is cracking again. But I'm also breaking out in lots of acne. Boy puberty sucks but it's a jillion times better than girl puberty.

My right foot is 2x it's normal size. Tomorrow the first call I'm gonna make is to the Endo. I'm concerned about how lymphedema and diabetes interact.

I'm feeling very invisible. If you see this post, what's your favorite poem? Or if you're feeling spry, write me a haiku about spring.#HRT #HormoneReplacementTherapy #Transgender #LGBT #Transman #testosterone #Lymphedema #Diabetes

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It's 415am and I can't sleep

It might be because I drank a bottle of IQ Joe with my dinner lol.

Now Pauley and I are eating chocolate chips. She's going down obscure rabbit holes on Wikipedia while I'm just listening to music and researching medical stuff.

Today was testosterone Tuesday. I have been back on T for about 3 months. My facial hair is coming in thick and my voice is cracking again. But I'm also breaking out in lots of acne. Boy puberty sucks but it's a jillion times better than girl puberty.

My right foot is 2x it's normal size. Tomorrow the first call I'm gonna make is to the Endo. I'm concerned about how lymphedema and diabetes interact.

I'm feeling very invisible. If you see this post, what's your favorite poem? Or if you're feeling spry, write me a haiku about spring.#HRT #HormoneReplacementTherapy #Transgender #LGBT #Transman #testosterone #Lymphedema #Diabetes

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