Louis Mitchell from Still Black

There are 2 sides to every coin and every struggle. A ying and a yang. FtM transgender males are the opposite of MtF , but our stories mirror each other in such an ironic way. In recent months, I have had the blessing of meeting some wonderful transmen from all walks of life. From the hood and uneducated to the degreed professional, these guys have taught me so much about their perspective. Most subculture mirror the bigger culture in some aspect of the social structure. I think that because in the heterosexual mainstream women are traditionally exploited, MtF get more attention in the media. When was the last time that you saw a FtM on one of those “Is It A Boy or A Girl” show on Maury Polvich? The fetishism of the porn industry hardly exploits the the Ftm side. Have you ever seen a tranny porn featuring FtMs? If so compare that to the ratio to MtF porns? So the ramifications of the bigger society play a big part in our images as transfolks. Which is why I stress taking that image back and putting our own stories out there in our own words. I had to take the time to listen and research the other side of our coin. In the past year I have been doing this and I am learning so much in the process. The FtM side is just as entertaining. It exposed the difference in men and women on a chemical level and how important those chemicals are in the human social experience. FtM literally find it difficult to cry once they start testosterone, and MtF get more emotional. The communication changes in both. From one account a FtM says “ I used to stay and talk on the phone with my girlfriend for hours. Now I just hate talking. I am literally annoyed by so much conversation.” Most Mtf have talked about feeling more submissive and more willing to cuddle. I personally like to think that we get smart and the Ftm dumb down…lol. I’m just kidding fellas. These social changes that occur from just administering hormones are astonishing to me. I think that if research was done on transfolk, many of the social myths about men and woman can be justified or debunked.
At the Transfaith Summit, I was granted the privilege to watch a film written and directed by Kortney Ryan Ziegler( a fellow Youtuber) called Still Black. It is an award winning film that interviews six FtM transmen from different walks of life. They share stories and struggles that are simultaneously specific and broad. From dealing with cerebral palsy to adjusting to corporate America, these men show riveting side of the community I never was exposed to but I ironically related to. They deal with all these identity issues all while being Black. Here is the trailer for the film.

I found that these men are loving and sensitive to women need because they come from a place of understanding. I don’t know if it over compensation or just a special insight, but most FtM I have met are such gentleman. They open doors, pull out chairs, and any other social stuff. They need to give a few lessons to these natal born men. Nevertheless I think it important to mingle and learn about our brothers.

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