I guess to some it may seem really silly or whatever. But honestly, YouTube has played an ENORMOUS part in my transition. If it weren't for the trans guys on there brave enough to put themselves out there and share with us their experience, chances are, I wouldn't be where I am at today. I had a therapist suggest I go to a meeting with other trans guys and what not, but I'm just not interested. I don't feel like I need to meet other people who are in "my shoes" and blah blah blah lol I just don't care to. Being on these forums, and seeing the people on YouTube is pretty much enough for me. I get to see I'm not "alone" and that FTM's definitely can have normal lives and that there may be bumps on the road but things will eventually get better. IDK, I guess I just really can't be thankful enough for YouTube, or rather the people on it!
OH! And I don't know why but there seems to have been a huge spike in FTM's on YouTube. I don't know if I just didn't see them before or what but there are A LOT more channels that weren't there before and a lot of people starting their transition!
Surprisingly, for me, it's played little to none at all.
I knew I wanted to transition long before even watching any youtube videos about the subject matter and even then the videos I have watched were for unique packing tips & whatnot.
Youtube has played a big role for me. I actually made my final decision to get a metoidioplasty after one guy clarified some myths and shared his bottom surgery experience with the world.
Plus seeing other guys do it made me think I can do it and get the surgeries etc.
I like how it's getting a tad bit more diverse in the Youtube trans community too. I know one thing-when I do start to transition I will document my process there. I will also be review video games I buy at the same time on that channel.
I've also noticed how the community is growing. There is about 4 new ftm intros a day.
YouTube sort of set my expectations of what I thought was going to happen while on hormones. I had already begun transitioning before I started looking at trans men on YouTube.
Quote from: Casey on June 01, 2012, 11:08:44 AM
It showed me that it was possible, basically. Prior to youtube, I had considered getting top sugary (though I didn't know what it would look like or how I'd do it), but I always assumed if I had SRS I'd look like a woman with no boobs and a penis, because I didn't know what T would do. I figured, what's the point if I'll just look like a woman anyway? When I saw guys on youtube and realized I'd more than likely pass as a man, and have other changes (body fat changes, facial hair, etc) that was what made me want to transition.
Ha, it's funny that you say that because that's exactly what happened to me. I went on this website when I was a lot younger and saw pictures of these older Trans guys. To me, they just looked like extremely butch lesbians and that sort of scared me. I thought if I would look like a woman anyway,, what's the point. But the young guys on youtube showed me that there is hope of 100% passing!
Ironically youtube showed me exactly how NOT to be. I scoured YouTube looking for information on GCS and hormones and a lot of the trans women I saw there were just down right scary. I saw how they dressed and acted and I was like "wow! Is that how people see me?"
Now I did learn some great techniques for hiding beard shadow back when I needed to but mostly it just helped me become more self aware.
Quote from: JasonRX on June 01, 2012, 10:33:03 AM
Surprisingly, for me, it's played little to none at all.
I knew I wanted to transition long before even watching any youtube videos about the subject matter and even then the videos I have watched were for unique packing tips & whatnot.
This, except most of what I watched after starting transition were vids for STP tips (aka how to make your own) and how to inject (for reassurance that I was doing it right)
Quote from: Andy8715 on June 01, 2012, 01:04:38 PM
This, except most of what I watched after starting transition were vids for STP tips (aka how to make your own) and how to inject (for reassurance that I was doing it right, I must have watched)
Actually, this for me as well.
I liked watching videos because I never thought that I would have the courage to come out, but I did.. and then I used it to merely document what my expectations were. It did not persuade me to go on hormones, but it certainly inspired me to speak with a gender therapist after seeing that there were guys going through similar situations as me.
You tube wasn't around then.. for that matter the computer just barely was being used by 30% of the population
I'm not ftm exactly but youtube has been really helpful to me-- I think I figured out what was going on with me because I got interested in people's stories on genderqueer and ftm. I started following a lot of folks. I found out that I wasn't alone in my struggles. And it gives you a feeling personal connection that you don't really get from this.
--Jay Jay
Youtube have played an usefull part for me, But it not only on ftm transition but in general.
I think manly I have got alot of answer and other people perspective which is good, I have also got that from other ftm IRL, but I feel the videos is good specially if your isnt nearby alot of transfolk normally, then it can be a great advice.
Watching other trans people on YouTube definitely helped me in getting more educated about being trans. Brought up some of my confidence as well. Also, it's just really nice to see how other people's transition goes.
I try not to watch any trans women on YouTube. However I have went through several makeup videos.
About the only Trans woman I watch is our own beloved Megan. (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsmileys.on-my-web.com%2Frepository%2FAnimals%2Fferret-5.gif&hash=cfc7a68438be4575d8493dfbe65d1b3586f10b81) Love her videos.
Quote from: Ms. OBrien on June 01, 2012, 07:14:40 PM
I try not to watch any trans women on YouTube.
This, except replace women with men, for me it's a jealousy issue, so I just try to avoid them because I know I will get jealous if they are more "advanced" transition wise than me, petty I know but it's better for my mental health.
Quote from: Andy8715 on June 01, 2012, 07:38:34 PM
This, except replace women with men, for me it's a jealousy issue, so I just try to avoid them because I know I will get jealous if they are more "advanced" transition wise than me, petty I know but it's better for my mental health.
No harm in that. I'm subscribed to this one guy who I watched and viewing him getting his top surgery kind of messed me up a little bit because I remember him pre-T talking about it and here is he happy and post op now. I often wish that was me. -sigh-
Quote from: Andy8715 on June 01, 2012, 07:38:34 PM
This, except replace women with men, for me it's a jealousy issue, so I just try to avoid them because I know I will get jealous if they are more "advanced" transition wise than me, petty I know but it's better for my mental health.
Same-ish here. I get angry/frustrated (blah blah blah) when I see guys on T as long as me or less and have much more facial hair (which is most everybody). Makes me feel kinda dysphoric.
I know how you feel. We've all heard it before: "Your mileage may vary."
Sometimes though, I take solace when I'm driving down the freeway in my Yukon XL, and I see a Prius broken down on the shoulder.
Quote from: Jamie D on June 01, 2012, 09:46:28 PM
I know how you feel. We've all heard it before: "Your mileage may vary."
Sometimes though, I take solace when I'm driving down the freeway in my Yukon XL, and I see a Prius broken down on the shoulder.
Yea, but to me it's like everybody's in the HOV lane doing double the speedlimit while I'm driving a vespa which isn't allowed on highways.
Quote from: Andy8715 on June 01, 2012, 07:38:34 PM
This, except replace women with men, for me it's a jealousy issue, so I just try to avoid them because I know I will get jealous if they are more "advanced" transition wise than me, petty I know but it's better for my mental health.
I feel the same way. I see a lot of guys completely change within just a few months and it's upsetting to see as I'm over a year on T and look the same as I did pre-T.
But I remember when I was pre-T and watching a transition video and I just started crying b/c I wanted so badly to be/look like a man. And then the next day I came out and told my grandmother (with my cousins right there with me for support) that Iwas trans that I had to make this transition.
Not one iota.