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Transcription: Note: During the 18th century, it was common for newspapers to replace the "s" with a "f". The transcription below has replaced the original instances of "f" with the modern "s" for easier reading. NEWPORT, July 30. His Honor the Governor has been plea[s]ed to i[ss]ue a Warrant for convening the General A[ss]embly ; which, in P[?]r[s]uance thereof, is to meet here this Day, We hear from the Vineyard, that one Deborah Lewis, of that Place, about 32 Years of Age, who, 'til a few Days [s]ince, con[flnnily?] appeared in the Female Dre[s]s, and was always [s]uppo[s]ed to be one of the Sex, [s]uddenly threw off that Garb, and a[ss]umed the Habit of a Man ; and, [s]ufficiently to demon[s]trate the Reality of this la[s]t Appearance, is on the Point of marrying a Widow Woman. A Cutter, in the King's Service, arrived here la[s]t Sa-turday from New-York. Capt. Willet Carpenter, bound to the Coa[s]t of Africa, [s]ailed la[s]t Friday ; but having [s]prung his Ma[s]t, and the Ve[ss]el proving leaky, he was obliged to put back, and arrived Ye[s]terday. From the Newport Mercury, July 30th, 1764. Courtesy of the Digital Transgender Archive. Last updated: January 7th, 2026.

Table of Contents Primary sources IN MAN'S ATTIRE TENANTS AN ARK STORY OF A MODERN ROSALIND Babe Bean's life in [his/their] own words A Lucky Disaster Babe Bean: The Lady who Wears Male Attire Recovers her Speech Miss Babe Bean Baby Bean A Bonny Boy All newspaper clippings come from California, unless otherwise stated. Transcription: IN MAN'S ATTIRE TENANTS AN ARK "Babe" Bean of Stock-ton Proves to Be a Woman. --- Has For Weeks Inhabited a Small Craft on Mc-Leods Lake. --- Substituted Male Garb for Skirts In Order to Obtain Work Readily. --- STOCKTON, Cal., Aug 23. -- One of the strangest cases that have come under the eyes of the local police is that of a pretty, dark-haired girl who is mas-querading as a boy, and whose life his-tory would give the novelist a plot for one of the most readable books of the age. "Babe" Bean is the name she has gone by, but what her real name is she alone knows, and she is not likely to divulge is, as she claims to come from one of the best families in the land. Born in the South, "Babe" Bean has the dark hair and full mouth that tell of love and music, adventure and pleasure. She is passionately fond of music and was on her way to church in boy's attire just to hear the music when Detectives Carroll and Klench told her that they would like to have some explanation of her strange freak, and took Miss Bean with them to see Chief of Police Gall. The girl in men's clothes came off best in her encounter with the officers, as she was posted on the law governing such cases. To the officers Miss Bean said that she reached this city on July 17, and that she had lived ever since in an ark on the banks of McLeods Lake. She disclaimed any intention of violating any law, and said that she preferred to travel in male attire, as her chances for procuring work were made better. All this she said on paper, for the girl-boy cannot talk. The police though that Miss Bean was shamming when she drew out her little notebook and answered with her pencil the question put to her. They found out, however, that she has not spoken to a soul since she has been in Stockton, and that she always makes her wants known be means of her pencil. This she uses with a rapidity that would be the envy of any shorthand reporter. What she says on paper, too, is always written in the best of English, and it is evident that Miss Bean has generally traveled in the better walks of life. From The San Francisco Call newspaper, August 24th, 1897. Courtesy of the Digital Transgender Archive. Back to Top Transcription: STORY OF A MODERN ROSALIND Strange Adventures of a Girl Who Roams in Male Attire. --- MISS BEAN WRITES OF HER LIFE --- Her Experiences of the Pas[t] Few Years Portrayed in Her Own Words --- CAMPED ON MOUNTAIN HEIGHTS ALONE --- Two-Sided Lives of Some Men She Has Met in Metropolitan Clubrooms. --- STOCKTON, Cal., Aug 26 -- For a month past one of the arks on McLeods Lake in this city has been the abiding place of one of the strangest characters that the local authorities have ever had to deal with. For some time it was known to them that there was a woman living in Stockton in the garb of a man, but try as they would to locate her their efforts were without avail until Sunday night, when, as has been heretofore described in THE CALL Police Detectives Carroll and Klech overtook Miss Ban masquerading in make attire while on her way to church to listen to the music. Music this modern Rosa-lind is passionately fond of, and she will go miles to hear anything in the musical line. The story of her experience with the officers has already been related. To them she told very little of her past, but to THE CALL correspondent last night Miss Bean chatted on paper for hours. She has not the power of speech, but her hearing is keen. The police were of the opinion that she was shamming dumbness, but they are now convinced that the erratic young woman cannot talk. When the in-terviewer intimated that he believed she could talk if she wanted to Miss Bean burst into tears and declared on paper that her loss of speech was an affliction so keenly felt by her that it wrenched her heart whenever touched upon. "Babe" Bean, as she calls herself, said that she was nearly 20 years old and that when but 15 she married a man who did not treat her as he should, and after a few months of married life she was sep-arated from him, to drift about the world in the garb of a man. Last night she wrote the following for THE CALL, and while writing the tears welled up in the eyes of the pretty girl and the deep red lips trembled when the writing of some portions of her history recalled incidents of her early life. This is her remarkable story: Has love had anything to do with my pres-sent mode of living? Such a question to ask! Listen and judge for yourself: My first recollections of loving anyone is of a dark, handsome and noble face, with honor stamped upon every feature--a soldier; to me a hero. Who call chide me for living such a one? 'Twas my father. Mingie with this the sunny smiles of one of the fairest, sweetest and purest of God's women (my mother) and you have what is to me the dearest picture that ever graced a piece of canvas or "hunh on memory's walls." This, sir, has been the only love I knew which has been the doing or undoing of a lifetime. I was always a happy child, but seldom so now. My mother I can only remember as a lady of elegance and refinement--gentle always, but proud and firm. I loved her with all my heart; but to me she was like an idol, and I feared even to talk to her at times lest my rough manner might offend her. Strange way for a child to think, you will say, but none the less it was so. Consequently this forced me to lean more toward my father. Though whenever was partial he seemed to understand me better, and with his death my spirit died too. From a tomboy full of am-bitions I was made into a sad and thoughtful woman. From that time I grew heartless. I wanted to be out in the air always. A desire for liberty and freedom took such a hold upon me that at night, when we were all asleep, I would get up and wander about in our imme-diate grounds as if in search of something I could not tell what. Shortly after this I commenced to grow re-bellion--took interest in nothing save in lis-tening to some caller telling of the wonders of the world. Oh, if I were but a boy! Just to be able to see all these beautiful things! What would I not have given? Mother and father had traveled extensively, and in narrating their experiences little did they dream that they were laying the first stones upon which my strange like was to be built. My mother feared for my future. I must here say we had become and had been for some time reduced in circumstances, and only in late years have I realized the sacrifices that must have been made in order to keep me at school. Nothing but a conven[t?]: could save me, thought my mother, and there I re-mained. How I yearned for the freedom I had dreamed of and how often I wished I could enjoy the liberty that the world sees fit to allow a boy! I was left in the entire charge of the good sisters, who did much to make me happy under the circumstances, and sad, too, I can tell you. My brother visited me every vacation, and I am glad to say he loved me so that he often made vacations in order to see me. What would I not give for one of our old-time romps! I dressed in his clothes (for punish-ment, mind you) and he in mine. With wry faces we were inwardly tickled to death. Nothing ever pleased me better than to get this sort of punishment. Poor boy! With a tender, generous and loving disposition he was easily led, and with growing manhood he commenced to evince extravagant tastes, to-gether with a desire, like myself, to roam. I mention him as it has much to do with my life. His visits to the convent grew less frequent, which caused me much pain, until he came only occasionally, and then always accompanied by one of his schoolmates, a rather quiet, unassuming sort of chap. The day came when the latter would call alone, not-withstanding the objections raised by the sisters. It was about Christmas vacation and I was given permission to spend the holi-days with friends. What joy, to again be away from all study and work and no play. What plans I had mapped out for seeing my brother and his friend. The day came when I was the false friend without the brother. He--the friend--was about to go abroad. The dream of my life awakened with a vim worthy of a better cause. Was I doomed to always hear of people would could travel and go about the world? Was I never to have my great wish gratified? "No," came the answer always, "how can you? Remember circum-stances will not permit it." Well, then, how could our friend do so, he had no more than we? Oh, yes; he was to work part of the time. Well, I could not see what should prevent me from doing the same. Well, sir, from that moment it was my sole thought. I told no one of the good people with whom I was stopping, but went and con-fided to my brother's chum. He thought it would be capital fun to get me to do such a foolish thing; and (I blush to say it) he suc-ceeded very well. In two weeks we were married. Suffice it to say that it was the cause of sep-arating me from my family and friends. We traveled some six or eight months, and then separated. What I have suffered for that act no one can ever know. Shortly afterward my brother was taken ill and he, too, died. I had seen him but once. With this last blow mother retired, to lead as quiet a life as could be offered, in a place away from former scenes of both bright and dark days. She made some provision for me, and I was then quiet alone. From that moment I have been like driftwood, tossed upon the sea of life. But in no other way I could have been contented. My greatest misfortune then befell me, and when able to go about again I always did so, when I could in the guise of a boy. I had always loved horses and rode frequently, al-ways astride, as I found it the most convenient and comfortable by far. I observed that I was always taken for a boy while in my "rather boyish riding habit," though to make up as one had never struck me any more than to go about on my horse at whatever hour I wished without attracting much attention. I com-menced then to go about in search of adven-ture, always assuming my natural dress when in cities or when I made any long stays at places. My first was of so strange a nature that I think it worth the while to relate. I had gone from San Jose to Alma--a place consisting of a handful of houses--and then footed it, camping all the way, twenty miles into the Santa Cruz Mountains. The scenery I can hardly describe, but it seemed to me like some grand painting. The night before I reached my destination, Bights Way, I remained in a deserted woodchopper's cabin over night. With my inseparable companion, a revolver, I laid down to rest, with the only thought of being able to reach some brook or streamlet in some sheltered spot that I might indulge in the luxury of a bath. To these thoughts I at-tribute a dream that seemed like a prophecy. I thought I was standing on the brink of some dark abyss, when I beheld on the other side the most inviting and pretty miniature waterfalls with a stream some seven or ten feet below, but how was I to reach this? I certainly could not cross this awful black space. While musing thus I seemed by some unknown power to be taken to the spot oppo-site. For a moment I was almost blinded by the sudden change from darkness into light, but soon recovered sufficiently to notice that I had yet another stream to cross. On looking closer I was it was the same one I had noticed a few feet below the falls. Now my dilemma was, how could I reach the falls? What was that I noticed! It looked like a gold bracelet--such as we see encircling the wrists of women in pictures belonging to the middle ages. Well, this must have been the favorite spot of some fair bather. I will try to reach it, and perchance I might meet with the one who lost the band; and how glad she must be, I thought to myself, upon having it restored to her. I could not get it though, as I could not cross to where the water seemed shallow, and I could have waded in. With one mor effort I managed to just move it, and then I awoke. The morning was beautiful and all should have made one happy in the thought of being in such gorgeous surroundings, but I felt depressed as though something was going to happen. I could not shake this feeling off, and after making a breakfast of fruit and milk, that I had packed with me, I wended my way fur-ther up the mountain. One reaching the sum-mit I stood as one transfixed, for behold! there was the very stream I had been unable to cross in my dream! I stood looking down with awe into its depths as I beheld the very bracelet I had dreamed of. Who can say that the hand of fate was not in this? I threw my baggage across to the other side, intending to jump over. But I was spell-bound, as I seemed to know for the first time in my life what fear was. Surely I could not yet be awake, but all showed me plainly that I was very much that way. A hurried glance through my dressing-case brought out a look-ing-glass. Well, wi[ll?] I ever forget the expres-sion upon my face. I was trembling like a leaf, scare[l?]y daring to move. With a superhuman effort I determined to gain the bracelet at all hazards. I used my fishing-pole, which I had kept with me, as a staff and touched the golden circlet. It seemed even more beautiful in reality than it did in my dreams. I caught it in such a way that it seemed safe to draw up the pole. I did so and to my utter amazement and horror I found it to be a snake ni the mouth of a water dog. Try to imagine, if you can stretch your imagination so far, what I must have expe-rienced upon seeing this. Wasn't this too awful? This spot was well known to all lovers of sport in or about the vicinity of San Jose. This was the most terrible of all my experi-ences. As many equally pleasant ones I have had and some doubly interesting. One of about the same time occurred between Colfax and Auburn. I had camped out for seven weeks--one of my most pleasant trips--and was close to a place I thought occupied by good law-abiding woodchoppers. We could always pass each other with a salute, for one of the two men who lived here was accustomed to driving livestock back and forth, and I had many an occasion to pass him on the road. I soon discovered a striking resemblance and came to the conclusion that they were broth-ers. The smaller of the two was always kind. He showed me his kindness by offering me a horse to ride. I used to take the liberty of riding it while he was away, but not when he would make the offer. Then came a day when I thought it wise to leave, and a few days after I saw an account in one of the Auburn papers of an attempt to wreck or derail a train at Colfax. Who but my late neighbors were the culprits! The crowbar they used I had often seen. I have wondered if, should I have remained, I too might not have been arrested as an accom-plice. There is no place of interest scarcely from Blue Lakes to Los Angeles that I have not seen in a shorter time than it takes to tell it. While in the City of San Francisco I visited every place of any note, even to Chinatown. I saw and played lottery on several occasions, as I went the second time because I won in the first--something like the story of the moth. I found the people like semi-barbarians, but of a most interesting type. As a natural outcome of my roaming I have been thrown much in the company of men in all walks of life. I once attended some "jinks" where men who were accustomed to flatter and pay pretty tribute to their lady acquaintances took advantage of their exclu-sion to make fun of the ladies and in the most ungentlemanly manner criticize some one of their failings. These society bellies were undergoing the most humiliating crit-cisms and still were not aware of it. I wet with one Mr. Myer formerly of Myers & Co., tobacco importers of St. Louis, Mo. I venture to give his name though as he has since passed away, thinking some one of those pres-ent may recall the affair, which took place on Christmas eve in 1892. I must confess that, no matter where I have been, I have met with good and noble men--the kind you read about. The world is full of them, as it is with pure and noble women; but while the world goes on we shall hear more of evil than good. So it will be in the case of good men and women; they will not be mentioned while a morsel of tempting scandal is left to serve the ever eager throng of people we call mankind. Were the good deeds of our true men and women more freely discussed, both around the family circle and by the press, the appetite and craving for what is vulgar, course and sensational would soon die out, or at least become diminished. In a few days Miss Bean will be speed-ing across the continent in search of other scenes, for she much dislikes the notoriety her discovery has brought about. From The San Francisco Call newspaper, August 27th, 1897. Covers dates from 1892 to 1897. Courtesy of the Digital Transgender Archive. Back to Top Transcription: A Lucky Disaster STOCKTON, May 10. --The Mall this evening has an account of an accident which happened to Babe Bean, the mys-terious lady who wears male attire. A runaway team ran into her buggy two miles from Sonora. The tongue of the wagon struck her and she was thrown from her buggy Miss Bean sent a dispatch today to a friend of hers in Stockton stating that she is overjoyed at the accident, because it re-sulted in the complete restoration of her power of speech. The lady in question says that she lost her voice over five years ago during a fit of anger. From The Herald newspaper, May 11th, 1898. Courtesy of the Digital Transgender Archive. Babe Bean: The Lady Who Wears Male Attire Recovers Her Speech [This newspaper clipping contains the same content as "A Lucky Disaster", except for some minor punctuation edits.] From The Herald newspaper, May 11th, 1898. Courtesy of the Digital Transgender Archive. Back to Top Transcription: Miss Babe Bean The Mysterious Lady Who Wears Male Attire Miss Babe Bean, the mysterious lady who wears male attire, and has been unable to speak for five years, was thrown from her buggy near Stockton. The accident restored her voice. From The Argus newspaper (Arizona), May 21st, 1898. Courtesy of the Digital Transgender Archive. Back to Top Transcription: BABY BEAN A BONNY BOY --- Journalistic Adventures a Stowaway on City of Para. --- In Man's Clothes She Travels From San Francisco En Route to Manilla--Put Ashore in Honolulu. --- She looked every inch a man when she came ashore in Hono-lulu from the transport City of Para a day or two ago, with a large black slouch hat shading her comely features and matching her close cropped hair, a black cut-away coat and shining patent leathers giving her quiet a stylish appearance and her many car-riage dispelling any suspicion of femininity that might be aroused by her womanly hands and feet. Bertie Bean, better known as "Babe Bean" is a journalist and believes in getting the news at any price; she wanted to go to Manila as correspondent for certain New York and San Francisco papers, so donned man's apparel and went aboard the City of Para in San Francisco just before the transport sailed for Honolulu. There were several civilians aboard and Babe Bean's presence was not remarked. She took her mess with the soldiers and slept on deck and spent her time writ-ing. It was not until a day or two before the Para got into this port that Babe was discovered aboard; then it was her turn to be vacin-ated. She had to undergo that formality with the rest and was consequently exposed much to her confusion. If it had not been for the vacin-ation, Babe would have had her passage to Manila assured; as it is, however, the lady was put ashore here, where she immdiate-ly set about securing a passage to the Philippines . San Francisco papers have re-corded some of Miss Bean's form-er exploits in the newspaper line, she will get to Manila if previous adventures are any indication. Miss Bean was at one time a famous girl detective and has also been connected with the Stockton Mail. Babe has friends in Honolulu who speak well of her merits as a journalist. From the Evening Bulletin newspaper (Honolulu & Oahu, Hawaii), October 17th, 1899. Courtesy of the Digital Transgender Archive. Back to Top Last updated: January 4th, 2026.

Don't be afraid of makeup! Makeup isn't just a thing for girls. The vast majority of men - cis or trans - that you see in movies/TV are caked in it to make them look more presentable/ masculine! Makeup can be a great tool for pre-transition trans guys to contour their face to a more masculine appearance and experiment to see what works best for them! Trans guys who are already transitioning can use makeup to highlight and accentuate the features they've developed while transitioning! ​ For reference - "darker contour" here refers to any contour makeup item that is  darker  than your natural skin tone (such as bronzers). "Lighter contour" here refers to any contour makeup item that is  lighter  than your natural skin tone (such as highlighters). Remember! You know your face the best! Buy makeup in shades/colors that work best for you! The Trans Guy Archive is not sponsored or endorsed by any of the makeup brands seen in the photos above. The sole purpose of the photos is to show the reader what each items mentioned below can look like in stores. Step One - creating a base layer ​ Start by washing and moisturizing your face. Doing makeup on dry skin will make it look less natural and will lead to your face feeling cakey later. You can shave your facial hair, if you desire, to make a smooth surface to work with. Primer  creates a smooth surface to place the rest of your makeup on. You can apply the  primer  with a soft brush or your hands. ​ Then, apply a thin layer of  foundation  or a tinted moisturizer to your face. A  tinted moisturizer  will help prevent that cakey feeling later. Use a beauty blender sponge or any flat foundation brush to apply the layer across your face and neck evenly. Use a stippling (dotted) motion to achieve the most even coverage. Once you have a good base, you can go in again on any "problem spots", like acne or blemishes, if you desire. Leave your base layer on for around 10-15 minutes so it can dry properly before you apply the rest of your makeup. ​ Step Two - the Jaw ​ Typically, masculinity is associated with strong, sharp, angular features. This can be a little difficult for those with a round face to accomplish - but it's not impossible. The first step is applying a natural-looking contour to your jaw. Apply a  dark powder  along the edge of your jaw from the bottom of the earlobe down to your chin. If you want to affect the shape of your face even more, you can continue your contour up to the temple. If you have thick facial hair (specifically a beard), you may want to skip this step. Drag king Landon Cider, in exaggerated masculine makeup Step Three - the Cheekbones ​ As with the jaw, high, angular cheekbones will give a person a more masculine appearance. Begin by applying a  contour line  from your temple to outside the corner of your mouth, following the natural shape of your face.   If you have noticeable facial hair, follow the natural line of the hair. If you are clean-shaven, suck your cheeks in and follow the definition of the exposed cheekbone. ​ Be careful not to over-accentuate your cheekbones if you're going for a more natural look. Apply some  contour  going down from your cheekbone to the chin in an L-shape to create a stronger outline of your face. Step Four - the Chin ​ You can use a good  contour stick  to make your chin more defined, square, and angular. For those of us who have rounder faces, contouring the chin (and jaw) can help your face appear less fat, if that's something you're going for. Apply some  lighter contour  to the point of your chin and some  darker contour  around it to make your chin look pointier. You can apply a horizontal line of  lighter contour  across the bottom of your chin to make it look slightly wider. ​ Step Five - the (Eye)Brow ​ To achieve a more masculine look, you'll want to accentuate the brows and bring them down and forward. To do so, you can use  mascara  or an eyebrow brush/pencil to apply thin, vertical strokes in the shape of your eyebrow. Use these to outline the brow in a thicker, squared shape. Once you've completed the outline to your desired thickness and length, fill it in with the pencil/brush/mascara. The benefit of using mascara on the existing hairs will be that you're bolstering the brows you already have, rather than always drawing them on. Both tactics can be combined.  ​ Furthermore, you can accentuate the brow bone itself. Apply some  darker contour  along the sides of your forehead along the hairline down to your temple. Apply a little bit of  lighter contour  just under your eyebrow to give the illusion of a deeper-set brow. Masculine contour & stubble, cred to u/SSaxonLane on Reddit . Step Six - the Nose ​ As with the rest of the face, you'll want to make your nose look more angular and larger. Though for Black people and other folk with naturally larger/wider noses, making the nose more angular may make it look unnatural. Follow your body's guidelines when applying any makeup! ​ You can apply  darker contour  down the sides of your nose from the brow bone until you reach the tip. Add some more  darker contour  to the inner crease of your eye between the nose bridge and brow bone. Apply  lighter contour  down the straight middle of your nose as highlighter. The wider apart your lines are, the wider your nose will appear.  Let the makeup rest on your face for a little while before blending it into the rest of your makeup. Be sure to use a light hand when applying and blending nose makeup - the shape of a nose can really change a face! Continue to apply and blend until you've reached your desired level of nose definition. "Drag King" look by Tynea T. Step Seven - Facial Hair ​ For older teens and adults, facial hair can be a great way to look older and more masculine. Without the use of testosterone, faux facial hair can be achieved in a variety of ways. ​ Use an  eyebrow pencil  or  eyeliner  to create small, thin strokes in a natural facial hair pattern. Layer until you have the desired thickness. A  dark gray or brown powder , like eye shadow or other contour, can be used to recreate a five-o-clock shadow look along your chin and jaw. Use  eyebrow mascara  in the shade of your hair to accentuate and define any existing peach fuzz or facial hair you may already have. You can also use a  stippling sponge  with some  grease paint or powder  to apply in the shape of natural facial hair. You can also purchase fake facial hair , though this requires repeated upkeep and application. Some masculine makeup tutorials Bibliography ​ Efe Camurdan. “Masculine Makeup: How to Look More Masculine Using Makeup.” offbinary, March 28, 2023. https://offbinary.com/blogs/articles/masculine-makeup-how-to-look-more-masculine-using-makeup.  ​ Also, all of the videos above.

Flyer for the queer FTM sexuality event about safer sex for trans guys and their partners, San Francisco (1997)

For many, clothes (and maybe makeup) are the first step in transitioning to your desired gender and gender presentation. There is no one right way to look/present as a trans guy, so feel free to pick and choose from this page what you believe will best benefit you! ​ As always, make sure to do your own research to determine what's best for you! This page serves as a stepping stone so you know where to start! At some point, you may have found yourself searching up "pants that make my hips look flat" or "how to dress masc" for tips on how to pass better in your day-to-day life. Fashion is a difficult topic to write about when it comes to passing because everyone has their own unique style. Some people prefer to dress casually, others suit up. Some dress like Fred Durst, others prefer frills and bows. A lot of fashion rules are completely arbitrary. ​ The information provided below should serve as an inspiration for you in choosing what to wear, not a "you MUST wear [X] to pass". The same pair of jeans that makes one guy look flat as a pole may accentuate the hips of another. Work with your body and spend some time cultivating what looks  and  feels right for  you. ​ What do you like? First and foremost, what styles do you like wearing? Preppy? Punk? Casual? Most people won't have clothes that only  fit one specific aesthetic. It's also totally normal to not know what style you want. Finding your style takes time. ​ Where do you live? Clothing tips change depending on where you live. A trans guy living in a country like Thailand that regularly sees high temps and high humidity won't be able to layer clothing like a trans guy in chilly Canada can. Layering  can  help with flattening some curves, but do remember to dress for the weather. So... what helps? You may be thinking "that's all cool and fine, but what do I wear to pass?" That's the tricky part. In doing research to write this article, do you know what the number one tip I found for passing as a guy was? ​ "Do what makes you comfortable." Yes, really. There is no silver bullet to passing as a man. Sure, some people on the internet say that round glasses frames make you look more feminine or that baggy clothes may help hide your curves, but everyone has such different styles that it becomes difficult to consolidate all the information out there and also not make all trans guys into a monolith. ​ However, there are a few eternally relevant tips for trans guys to help us pass. Avoiding tight-fitting clothing. Layer shirts, wearing sweaters, and getting masculine haircuts are all great ways to start your clothing journey. Secondly, look at the men in your life (or celebrities) who you admire. What kind of clothes do they wear? Can you find versions of those clothing articles that you like and - most importantly - fit you? Copy styles and trends from men you like and eventually over time you'll build a style that is masculine, and, most importantly, yours. ​ Go on testosterone? While this is not the section to go into depth on the benefits of taking testosterone HRT, many trans guys report that they started to pass consistently after they began taking T (testosterone). Having facial hair and a deep voice can almost give you a "pass" to style yourself in unconventional or less-masculine ways. ​ When in doubt, dress like Adam Sandler or Jimmy Buffet. Seriously. ​ Note from Aidrian: I have been out since 2014, so I've had some time to work on my personal style. I lean heavy into "dad" looks, so I wear a LOT of Hawaiian and printed/patterned button down shirts. Sometimes a color blocked polo. Pants are typically blue/brown jeans or black slacks. In the summer I swap those out for earth tone shorts so I can show my calves off. For shoes I wear a lot of tall boots or black sneakers - sandals or breathable sneakers in the summer. I also have a pair of brown cowboy-ish cut boots that I wear to more professional events. I don't really wear noticeable makeup but I'll typically use some concealer, a bit of blush, and a dark blond eyebrow pencil on my mustache. Some fashion inspiration from real trans guys

Hedwig W. (on left) was a friend of German sexologist and researcher Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld . He lived as a (what we would now refer to as) transgender man in Berlin for two years using his chosen name. During this time period, the terms "transgender" and "transsexual" had not yet been coined. Dr. Hirschfeld had created the phrase "transvestite" in his 1910 book "Die Transvestiten" (Transvestites) "to describe persons who habitually and voluntarily wore clothes of the opposite sex." Hedwig W. and other crossdressing Germans would have very likely referred to themselves using this term. He is pictured here with an unnamed butch friend. Bibliography: Hirschfeld, Magnus. Die Transvestiten: eine Untersuchung über den erotischen Verkleidungstrieb : mit umfangreichem casuistischen und historischen Material . Pulvermacher, 1910. "Sexual Intermediates" (1922) by Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld -- unknown text, referenced in the image's original file upload to Wikimedia Commons. Last updated: December 30th, 2025

Teenager, Criminal Born: Estimated 1843 Died: approx. January, 1860 [CONTENT WARNING: contains topics relating to suicide] Transcription: ​ An extraordinary case of a girl concealing her sex for many years, has been brought to light in Peitiers, France. Augustine, alias Augustus Baudouin, a young person of 17, was known in the town and neighborhood as an active lad, and had been in place in respectable houses as "odd boy." This individual was lately tried for robbery, and while in prison, the authorities conceived some suspicions, and ascertained her to be a female. On being ask-ed what reason she had for wearing men's clothes, she said she had observed that men got their living easier than women; but she refused to give any information as to her birth and parentage. She was removed to the fe-male wards, but her repugnance to appear in women's attire among her fellow prisoners was so great, that she committed suicide by hang-ing herself on an iron bar with a pocket hand-kerchief. ​ From the Raftsman's Journal, Jan. 25, 1860. Courtesy of the Digital Transgender Archive. Last updated: December 30th, 2025.

Undated photos. No credible source either. Supposedly from the files of Magnus Hirschfeld but there's nothing to confirm this. Does not appear to be AI-generated.

Crosshatch portrait of Garland. From Female to Male- the life of Jack Bee Garland by acclaimed transsexual author Lou Sullivan chronicles the life and experience of Jack Bee Garland, an author, nurse, and adventurer who lived during the turn of the 20th century. Garland was known for having romantic and erotic relationships with other men, and Sullivan makes note of this, as during the time of the book's publishing, it was thought that FTM individuals only transition to satisfy their desire to achieve heterosexuality. Garland was also notable for fighting in the Philippine-American War. This biography by Sullivan is the quintessential look into Jack Bee Garland's life, as well as an early recorded example of a trans man explicitly having relationships with other men. Click on the PDF link below to download the file. Book Details Published: 1990 Author: Louis Sullivan Publisher: Alyson Books Pages: 183

Transcription/ID: A bright yellow poster from the Lesbian and Gay Community Center, address 208 West 13th street, NYC, NY 10011. Text: "The Gender Identity Project presents the 2nd annual Transexual Mens' Forum. An evening of sharing F-T-M issues and concerns, celebrating identity and diversity and building community. Speakers, networking, open mike sharing, resource information, refreshments. Open to all who identify as female-to-male, transexual/transgendered and their friends, allies, supporters and other interested community members. FRIDAY EVENING MARCH 18TH, 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM, THE ALEXANDER ROOM AT THE CENTER No pre-registration required. $5.00 more/less donation appreciated. Courtesy of the Internet Archive. Uploaded to the Internet Archive in 2023. Last updated by the Trans Guy Archive on December 11th, 2025.

Politician, Bondsman Murray H. Hall (initially Mary Anderson) was born in 1841 in Govan, Scotland. In his time, he was known for being a bail bondsman and politician at Tammany Hall.  Hall reportedly began wearing masculine clothing and using the name of “John Anderson” at the age of sixteen and later immigrated to the United States of America in 1870 with his wife after his assigned sex at birth had been revealed to local law officials. Hall lived for the majority of his life as male – well over twenty-five years. In America, Hall had a reputation for engaging in traditionally “hard” masculine activities, e.g. drinking, smoking, playing poker, and even occasionally brawling with law enforcement.  While not much is known about Hall’s private life, he was married twice and had an active political career in Tammany Hall – the political organization in New York City well known for engaging in efficient but oftentimes corrupt solutions to political problems. Passing as a man, Hall was able to vote and work as a politician, rights that were denied to women at the time. He reportedly also ran a commercial “intelligence office.”, sometimes aided by his second wife. Hall had a reputation for being a “man about town, a bon vivant, and all-around ‘good fellow’.” He was also a member of the Iroquois Club and a personal friend of State Senator “Barney” Martin. Outside of politics and his career, Hall was married twice and adopted a child with his second wife. His last residence was an apartment in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City, about half a block north of the Jefferson Market Courthouse. According to a bookseller who frequently interacted with him, Hall was “well read… [and] a modest little man, but occasionally he showed an irascible temper. He would never talk about himself and shunned garrulous and inquisitive companions. In fact, when I met him on the street he was either accompanied by his black and tan dog or some woman or women, strangers to me, who I suppose were clients.” Later in life, Hall was diagnosed with a type of breast cancer, which would eventually lead to his death. Hall did not seek treatment for an extended time for fear that it would expose his sex. Hall would eventually pass away on January 16th, 1901 at the age of sixty. After his death, Hall’s daughter, Minnie, was involved in an inquest on how to properly distribute his will and properties. His daughter eventually won the case, and Hall’s headstone was erected next to his late wife’s.  After his death, news of Hall’s “gender transgression” spread quickly. Many were shocked that he had been assigned female at birth. News headlines broke such as “KNOWN AS A MAN FOR SIXTY YEARS, SHE DIED A WOMAN.” in the Evening World .   Most reports on Hall’s death continued to misgender but not deadname him. The New York Times’ article on Hall accused him of “masquerading” in male dress. Many outlets accused him of “tricking” people with how he presented. Despite this, Hall’s colleagues only had positive things to say about his character and memory. One senator described how Hall used to “hobnob with the big guns of the County Democracy" and said that he "cut quite some figure as a politician"; he also added that “[Hall] dressed like a man and talked like a very sensible one.” Another political colleague of Hall’s told the New York Times that “[Hall would] line up to the bar and take his whisky like any veteran, and didn’t make faces over it, either. If he was a woman he ought to have been born a man, for he lived and looked like one.” Hall was buried in women’s clothing in an unmarked grave in the Mount Olivet Cemetery in the Maspeth neighborhood of Queens, New York. Bibliography Kahler, Abbott. “The Mystery of Murray Hall.” Smithsonian Magazine, July 21, 2011. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-mystery-of-murray-hall-35612997/ .  “Man About Town: The Story of Murray Hall.” Episode. The Gilded Gentleman  no. 4, December 21, 2021. https://thegildedgentleman.com/episodes/the-story-of-murray-hall/ .  “Murray Hall (1840-1901).” museum-digital, August 21, 2021. https://global.museum-digital.org/people/274014 .  “MURRAY HALL FOOLED MANY SHREWD MEN.” The New York Times , January 19, 1901. https://nyti.ms/3MMimWc .  “Murray Hall Residence.” NYC LGBTQ Historic Sites Project, 2025. https://www.nyclgbtsites.org/site/murray-h-hall-residence/ .  “Murray Hall.” Transgender History Month. Accessed December 8, 2025. https://www.transgenderhistorymonth.com/tht/murray-hall .  Sharpe, Gillian. “Murray Hall: The New York Politician Who Broke 19th Century Gender Rules.” BBC , August 15, 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-49291971 .  “WOMAN LONG POSED AS A MAN: Murray Hall Had Conducted an Employment Agency-Sex Revealed at Death.” The New York Times , January 18, 1901. https://nyti.ms/4rJqQ0t . Last updated: December 8th, 2025.

Head of the Burnham Novelty Company Born: approx. March 18th, 1840 Died: approx. April 30th, 1918 Transcription: HE, SHE, OR IT A Correct Account of the Mysterious Female Man Truth Stranger Than Fiction About the year 1856 there came to this village a family by the name of Burnham, consisting of Dr. M.L. Burnham, his wife, and two children, a daughter aged 16, and a son three or four years younger. Dr. Burnham was a man of some property and of the highest respectability. The family soon became active members of our village society, the doctor being an active member and one of the deacons of the Congregational church. Dr. Burnham was a well-read physician and did some practice in addition to keeping a drug store, in which his daughter, Ellen, assisted him as a clerk for the first two years of the doctor's residence here. Miss Ellen Burnham was by no means a beautiful girl. Her hair and eyes were dark; features regular, but rather coarse and masculine; form tall, square shouldered, and wanting in that grace of outline that inspires admiration. If a stranger were tempted to look at her the second time, it would be from surprise at the strong, masculine appearance unnatural to a woman, especially one so young. Miss Burnham was not a favorite with our young men, nor did she seem anxious to be. Her time, outside of her domestic duties, was devoted to instrumental music and horse-back riding, in both of which she was decidedly accomplished. Her life for the four years subsequent to 1856 were not unlike that of other young ladies of the place. She had a large class, mostly of young girls, instructed in instrumental music. In the fall of 1858, a young man by the name of Powell came here and was employed as principal of our village school. Powell resigned the leadership of the school in the spring of 1859, and started the Reporter, the first paper published in our village. During that summer he became intimate with the family of Dr. Burnham, and became engaged to Miss Burnham in the fall of 1859. The engagement soon became known outside of the family. The only surprise excited on account of it was surprise at the taste of Mr. Powell in selecting a girl of masculine appearance. Miss Burnham's parents seemed particularly pleased at the prospective marriage of their daughter, whom they believed well qualified to make a good wife for an editor. In February of 1860, L.W. Powell and Miss Ellen Burnham were married by Rev. Mr. Cochran, the Congregational minister. The happy couple took a short bridal tour, preparatory to settling down for life. After an absence of a week, they returned to the residence of the bride's parents, who, in honor of their daughter's marriage, sent out invitations to large numbers of our citizens to welcome the bride and groom. We were present at this wedding party, and could not but think that both the bride and groom appeared remarkably solemn. We did not kiss the bride, although that was the fashion. Our objection to the kissing part of the programme was a dislike to come in contact with an unusually heavy and black moustache which marred the upper lip of the bride. Mrs. Powell became more and more masculine in her appearance as she grew older. She took a case in the Reporter office, and learned the printer's trade rapidly. And in a short time she proved to be the best jour in the office. She also took to smoking, in the cultivation of which habit she proved herself a printer. In the spring of 1861, when Powell had been married about a year and a half, the 7th Wisconsin regiment was organized. Powell's wife not having presented him with an heir to make home doubly pleasant, he resolved to go to the wars. He sought, and, through the influence of friends, obtained, the appointment of state agent or "wet nurse" for the gallant 7th, then ordered to Washington. Mrs. Powell, being of a tough and hardy make, resolved to accompany her husband to the front. No objection being raised, she fitted herself out and went to Washington. The regiment was for a time detained at Washington, and Mrs. Powell made herself happy by working up that moral town. A few weeks after her arrival there, while she was riding on horseback one day, her masculine appearance attracted the attention of a government detective, who made up his mind that Mrs. Powell was a man and a rebel spy. The detective followed her about the city and to her quarters. He dogged her steps for several days until, just before the regiment was ordered off, Mrs. Powell took it into her head to return to Brodhead. She had packed up her rig, took leave of her husband and the regiment, and started for home. The detective accompanied her to Chicago on the same train, and at the Briggs house, where the lady booked her name, he placed her under arrest as a rebel in disguise. In vain she claimed to be a woman and the wife of a member of the 7th regiment. She called in the landlady, who asserted that she had seen Mrs. Powell at the house before. Mrs. Powell finally induced the detective to telegraph to Gov. Randall, of this state, and to her husband at Washington. Gov. Randall telegraphed back that there was such a lady. A second telegram arrived from Washington and the detective released her and returned to Washington. In a few days, Mr. Powell reached Chicago, and the unhappy couple made their way home to this village. Language cannot describe the feelings of this unhappy pair. Hardly over the first flush of connubial felicity, and the wife had become an object of suspicion to strangers, and was in constant danger of being arrested as a man. They remained here a few days, when Mrs. Powell informed her parents that she was going to visit some relations east. The fond parents, little dreaming of the arrest and subsequent scenes at the Briggs house, urged her to remain and replenish her wardrobe. She readily answered that she could procure more becoming and stylish garments in the east. After her departure, Mr. Powell procured some cloth and went to Mr. Mooney, one of our tailors, and informed him that he wished to present his brother with a suit of clothes. He informed the tailor that his garments fitted his brother, and a suit made to fit himself would be just the thing. The clothes were made and expressed to Chicago. Mr. Powell informed Dr. Burnham, the father of his wife, that Ellen had changed her dress, and was now wearing man's attire, and living at Chicago. The doctor was thunderstruck, the mother half crazy. The only satisfaction they could get out of Powell was, that his wife was not a woman and would no longer try to act the part of one. The doctor insisted upon an examination. At length, to satisfy her father, she consented that the late Dr. Brainard should examine her. Dr. Brainard did so, and informed the father that his daughter was not a female and had done the best thing to be done in changing her attire. After much solicitation, Ellen permitted her father to examine her and satisfy himself that she was not a woman. Dr. Burnham then procured a situation for her, under the name of Edgar Burnham, in the wholesale drug house of J. H. Reed & Co., in whose employ he remained about one year. During this time, he roomed and slept with a young man by the name of Andrews, now doing businiess in Crosby's Opera House block. He also became engaged to a young lady on State street, the daughter of his landlady. We frequently visited young Burnham at his room on Washington street, being ourselves at the time in the law offices of Meech & Redfield, the office being on Dearborn street. Young Burnham made up in appearance as a man of all the beauty and grace he lacked as a woman. Chicago had few better-looking young men than the former Mrs. Powell. He was a portion of this time organist at the Plymouth church, Rev. J.R. Shepherd, pastor, and for a time organist of one of the Baptist churches. We were particularly amused at his hearty admiration of the girls. He would leave his piano or work any time to look at a woman. In 1863, young Burnham returned to Brodhead, and went into the drug business with his father. He was at this time engaged to the State street lady, who was entirely ignorant of the story of her lover's life. We have it from the best authority --- a young man who resided in the family of the young lady --- that Burnham was a devoted lover, and, even after he removed to Brodhead, corresponded regularly twice a week with his betrothed, and paid visits of two or three days' duration. After his removal to Brodhead, he was a decided favorite in the society there, both on account of his good looks and his skill as a musician. Men, women and children flocked to the drug store of Burnham & Son to trade, for the sake of seeing the young man who was once a wife. At length Dr. Burnham sold out his property here in 1864 and removed to Waterloo, Iowa, taking Edgar with him, and there opened a drug store. Soon after the removal of family to Waterloo, Edgar sought and obtained in marriage the hand of Miss Gerta Everette, one of the brightest girls in Spring Valley, Rock County, Wis. The Chicago engagement had been broken off. They have now been married about three years and living at Waterloo. They have no children as yet, all stories to the contrary notwithstanding. Should they ever have children, or either of them, we shall make haste to inform our readers of the fact. It is simply ridiculous to suppose that Edgar Burnham was ever a mother, and quite as insane to believe that he can be a father. From the best of authority, namely from Mr. Powell and from the surgeon who examined him, we know that Edgar Burnham is a It, and will never be anything else. It is due to the young lady to whom he was engaged in Chicago to say that she never knew the make-up of her lover from first to last, and that the engagement was broken off by her before his history became known. Miss Everett, his present wife, knew the facts of his remarkable case, substantially as we have related them, and married It willingly of her own accord and against the wishes of her parents. She undoubtedly knows the facts more definitely now than we do and can comfort herself accordingly. We wish her joy of her union with an It if there is any joy in it. Transcription: A STRANGE STORY A VERY STRANGE ONE--THE STORY OF A MAN TRANSFORMED INTO A WOMAN. E.W. Burnham the name of the Subject of this Strange Transformation, Former-ly a "Charming Young Girl" of Minneapolis. The Des Moines Register says: "Many will remember the peculiar gentleman who visited this city some months ago with Burnhan's Electric Light Company. A gentleman with long hair, dark eyes, and long eye-lashes, and though effeminate in his facial appearance, was sufficiently masculine to [raise?] a heavy beard and look fairly to the masculine duties, attending the management of a [do-mestic?] company. This gentleman reg-istered as E.W. Burnham at the hotel where he was stopping, and with him was a young lady who was known by the troupe as his wife, a young, girlish looking, fairly good looking and al-truitive person. It will be remember-ed that Prof. Morgan Gibney and wife of this city, were with the company, and in a dramatic way were the life and strength of the company in the little [success?] it achieved. The Pro-fessor and Mrs. Gibney left the com-pany in Illinois several months ago. Now comes a peculiar story from St. Paul, which encompasses Burnham in a pale of [romance?], the like of which one does not often read about, unless the ecstatic Don Juan of [Byron?], which might be considered its near-est double in fiction. The St. Paul Pioneer Press of March 11th says it is a ridiculous and [alward?] story, and yet, perhaps, is worth publishing:" "The presence in the city of the Burnham Novelty Company recalls one of the most remarkable [histories?] known to many Minneapolis people by reason of one of the other actors in the strange domestic drama having for a period been a resident of that city. A good many people will recall Maj. W.L. Powell, who for a short time, along about 1878, was editor of the Tribune. Prior to this time Powell had led the life of a Bohemian, and in his travels went to Broadbend, Wis., where he met a charming young lady, [possessed?] of talent as a musician. Maj. Powell was then lecturing, and made a favorable impression both up-[?] the young lady and her parents, and the friendship for the girl ripen-ed into love and marriage. The young lady was about 19 years of age, had always been reared delicately by a family of the highest respectability. The father was a physician and drug-ist. Soon after her marriage to Maj. Powell a change began to take place: her complexion became swarthy and a beard began to grow, which demand-ed a received the [?] atten-tion of a razor. Other physical changes went on, and after the couple had been reasonably happily married for a period of nearly three years, de-spite the Major's dissolute habits, it became impossible to deny the fact that the girl was more [?] than woman. A visit was made to Chicago, an [?] physician...[text indecipherable]... The disclosure was extremely mortifying to the parents of the ex-wife, and they shortly after-ward removed to another place. The [?] individual availed himself of his prerogative and put away crinoline[?] and donned male [habits?] and commenced work in a drug story in Chicago under the name of E.W. Burnham, a change in the given name only being made to suit the change in sex. During the period young Burnham had lived as a woman the acquaintance had been focused[?] of another young woman also of musical predilections. The two "girls" were chums, even room-mates together, without suspicion of another condition being present. The regard then formed [ripened?] into love, and after a period had clasped the two women married, and have since lived happily together, [?] their home at Waterloo, Iowa. The husband and wife are none other than E.W. Burn-ham, the head of the Burnham Novel-ty Company, and Mrs. Gertie Everette Burnham, one of the members of the party. There is nothing in Mr. Burn-ham's appearance to indicate the strange history: and he is now thoroughly masculine in appearance, capa-ble of raising a heavy beard, though to meet the requirements of his busi-ness, he is cleanly shaven. The facts are all authenticated. Mr. Burnham is the nephew of a prominent citizen of Minneapolis is whose family he lived as a charming young girl for a considerable time, and is the subject of one of those freaks of nature which are rare, but undoubtedly occur. He is above the average in talent and ability, and has turned his taste for music in-to the organization which made its apperance at the Pence[?] Opera House last evening. Burnham takes no part in the per-formance of the company that bears his name other than to preside at the piano. Mrs. Burnham appears in the first part and in the drama with which their rather queer performance is concluded." Transcription: ​ A Man and husband has turned up in St. Paul who was once a woman and wife. He, she or it is now known as E.W. Burnham, the head of the Burnham Novelty company. When he, she or it (pronouns get badly mixed in this case) was a blooming girl of nineteen summers and a smooth face, she was married to Major Palmer, formerly editor of the Minneapolis  Tribune . After three hap-py years as a wife, a transformation came on. She shed her smoothness and a hirsute covering bearded her face.  She became a man, and as Palmer wanted a woman for his wife, a divorce ensued. Then she, who was now he, not relishing a bachelor's lonely life, married a lovely girl who is now his wife, and one of the members of his company. And so the old classic fable is revived in our neigh-boring city, and we have a he that was a she, and knows all about it. Wonder if he has any special skill in managing his wife, or if he can dodge with more success than those who were always males, when she wants a new dress or a new hat? ​ From the Duluth News-Tribune, Mar. 17, 1882. Courtesy of the Digital Transgender Archive. Transcription: ​ A Strange Metamorphosis ​ A remarkable phenomenon is related by the Dubuque(?)   Times . Major Powell*, for-merly editor of the Minneapolis  Tribune , some ten years ago married an accom-plished young lady in Broadhead, Wis. Soon after the marriage a change in the wife began to take place: her complexion became swarthy and a beard began to grow, which demanded and received the assiduous attention of a razor. Other physical changes went on, and after the couple had been reasonably happily mar-ied for a period of nearly three years, it became impossible to deny the fact that the girl was more man than woman. A visit was made to Chicago, an eminent physician was consulted, who confirmed the suspicion, and the major and his wife separated, there being no matrimonial pre-vision to bind two males together. The metamorphosized individual availed him-self of his prerogative, put away crinoline and donned male habliments, and com-menced work at a drug store in Chicago under the name of E.W. Burnham a change in the given name only being given to suit the change in sex. During the period young Burnham had lived as a woman, the acquaintance had been formed of another young woman, which acquaint-ance was renewed, and in course of time they were married. This couple are now traveling through the west with a dramatic company known as the Burnham Novelty Company. These facts, says the Dubuque(?)   Times , are well authenticated. Mr. Burnham is the nephew of a prominent citizen of Minneapolis, in whose family he lived as a charming young girl for con-siderable time, and is the subject of one of those curious freaks of nature, which are rare, but undoubtedly occur. ​ From the Dubuque(?) Times, Mar. 28, 1882. Courtesy of the Digital Transgender Archive. ​ *Burnham's ex-husband appears to have a different name in this second article clipping than in the first (Palmer vs Powell) Last updated: December 7th, 2025.