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Transcription: A YOUNG WOMAN was arrested a day or two ago in New York City charged with the offense of being dressed in male attire. She had worn her disguise for fifteen months, during which time she had been clerk in a large and popular restaurant and in a dry goods store. There is no accusation that she had behaved improp-erly or that she was immodest or incom-petent. She had dressed in male costume in order to secure better pay than she could as a woman. By her disguise she was enabled to earn nine dollars per week, which was about double what she could have hoped to secure as a woman. For this offense she was arraigned as a cul-prit in a police court, and the papers speak of it as "startling" that she could have so long concealed her sex. It is a striking commentary upon the relative status of men and women, that a woman can only secure the same pay which would be given a man for similar work, by concealing her identity in pantaloons. The moment her sex is discovered, no matter how sati[s]factory her services have heretofore been, she is immediately ta-booed--and her pay greatly reduced, if allowed to retain her situation at all. Is it any wonder so many young women deliberately sell their souls to the devil? It is about the only fair and square mar-ket which is offered them. From the St. Paul Daily Globe , February 20th, 1882. Courtesy of the Digital Transgender Archive. Last updated: January 12th, 2026.

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.

Ever seen a phrase or term online but had no way to search for what it meant? Have you just come out and are feeling a little overwhelmed by all the new words that you 'have' to learn? This page acts as a glossary/dictionary for all words and phrases related to trans guys and our shared experiences. Some of the terms on this page are  not  trans guy-specific, but serve as a good reference anyway.   Please note; you may see a term and think "I don't fit 100% of the term. Am I still allowed to call myself [X]?" Yes, yes you can. These are simply the straightforward definitions, you may interpret your relationship with these words however you like. Have words and phrases to suggest? Head to the Contact page. A(G/S)AB (adj.) - Assigned (Gender/Sex) at Birth Used as shorthand. Catch-all term to describe how an individual was assigned at birth without specifics. EX: "Tommy? Yeah, I have no idea what their AGAB is, but I know for sure they're hot!" AFAB (adj.) - Assigned Female at Birth Used as shorthand. Some trans people use it as a noun (i.e. "I'm AFAB"), though many people use it as a way to describe what genitalia they have -- totally negating those who have sought sex reassignment surgery. As its core, the term "AFAB" describes an individual's past state; present and future may vary. EX: "He was AFAB, but is now transitioning to male." AMAB (adj.) - Assigned Male at Birth Used as shorthand. Same definition as "AFAB", but used to identify those who were assigned male at birth but may be pursuing transitioning. EX: "She was AMAB, but is now transitioning to female." Aranu'tiq (adj./n.) Originating from the Chugach in the Americas, Aranu'tiq individuals were considered "male on one side, female on another". EX: "He is Aranu'tiq in his expression." Binary (Man/Male) (adj./n.) Anyone with the male gender. Can apply to trans* men and cis men as well. EX: "I told everyone I'm a binary man because I just identify as a dude." Boi (adj./n.) Broadly means an individual who is masculine, but not in a cisheteronormative way. EX: "He's a man, I'm a Boi." Bottom Growth (n.) Medical term describing the growth of the clitoris during testosterone hormone replacement therapy. Size is determined by dosage and genetics. Most people average 1-3 inches. EX: "Dude! My bottom growth itches so bad... but at least it's getting bigger!" Boyflux (adj.) Generally describes an individual whose masculine gender fluctuates in intensity. EX: "Sometimes I feel like a guy, other times I don't. I think I may be Boyflux." Brotherboy (adj./n.) Originating from Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Brotherboys were individuals who were AFAB but who have a masculine spirit. Can be considered binary or non-binary. EX: "My friend is a Brotherboy, he's really cool." Burrnesha (n.) Also referred to as "Balkan sworn virgins", Burrnesha generally defines someone who was AFAB but lives as a celibate man to do the roles in society only given to men. The tradition goes back to the 1400s, but is still sparsely practiced today. EX: "I went to Albania and met a Burrnesha. He seemed pretty cool." Bussy (n.) Affectionate nickname to describe (A) the vulva/vaginal opening of a trans guy, (B) the anus of anyone. EX: "His bussy is exceptionally tight." Butch (adj./n.) Historically Butch has been used simply to describe the expression of an individual that was extremely masculine - oftentimes bordering on parody. Nowadays, it generally defines one's gender expression and can be applied to any gender identity, though it's most commonly in use within the Lesbian community. At it's core, Butch can be both a descriptor and an identity. EX: "Did you see? Mary has a new partner and he's totally butch. I saw him wearing all leather!" Chest Binder (n.) Binders are compression vests used to compress and conceal the breasts. They come in a wide variety of shapes and colors, though typically look like half or full tank tops. EX: "Dude, I think my (chest) binder is too tight. I knew I should've gotten the large!" Cisgender (adj.) Describes any individual who identifies with the sex/gender they were assigned at birth. EX: "Yeah, my dad is cis(gender). He's such a man's man." Demiboy (adj./n.) Describes an individual whose gender may be partially but not completely male. EX: "My friend told me he's a demiboy the other day." FTM - Female-to-Male (n.) FTM is an acronym to describe an individual's transition from Female to Male. Some FTM people medically transition, others do not. EX: "Max is FTM, so he's thinking about getting top surgery some day." Fa'atama/Faʻatane/Fafatama (adj./n.) Originating from Samoa, Fa'atama describes a second gender for those who were AFAB but has a masculine spirit. EX: "There aren't many Fa'atamas left in the world." Front Hole (n.) Semi-affectionate nickname to describe the vulva/vaginal opening. Used sometimes to avoid the medical term, as it may bring discomfort to some individuals. EX: "My front hole is not open for use." Gender Dysphoria (n.) Typically described as a sense of unease, anxiety, and/or depression about the misalignment between an individual's assigned sex/gender at birth and their current gender. Gender dysphoria takes on many different forms (typically regarding physical traits) and is never the same for everyone. Many trans* individuals experience gender dysphoria, others do not. Many who have gender dysphoria pursue medical transitioning to alleviate their dysphoria, other do not. All are equally valid. EX: "My gender dysphoria is so bad that sometimes I can't shower without crying. Have you felt the same?" Intersex (adj.) An individual who do not have the physical sex characteristics that would be considered "normal" for Males and Females. This comes in a wide variety of forms. Being intersex is not the same as being trans*, though some identify as such. EX: "The doctor told me I was intersex, which I guess explains a lot." Metoidioplasty (n.) One option for bottom surgery. The mons pubis may be pulled back so the enlarged clitoris may be used as a short phallus. May include optional scrotum implants, urethral lengthening, and vaginectomy. Ex: "I wanted a metoidioplasty because I don't care that much about penetration." Mutarajjulat/Mustarjil (adj./n.) Literally translated as "women who wish to resemble men". Originating from Islamic cultures between the 9th - 11th cent. CE, Mutarajjulat/Mustarjil individuals were AFAB but dress and live as men. They may have fought in battles as soldiers. EX: "He was born female but is now a Mustarjil living as a man." Non-Binary (adj.) Descriptor of any individual(s) who doesn't identify with Male or Female. May be used as an umbrella term to include genderqueer, bi-gender, etc. EX: "Arson told me they're Non-Binary the other day. Should we celebrate?" Passing (adj/v.) At its core, passing describes the extent to which an individual is viewed by society as their desired gender/sex. Passing is extremely subjective and culture-based. There isn't one true way to pass as a man/woman, even for cisgender people. To pass as their desired gender presentation, some (cis and trans) guys may take testosterone HRT, get hair transplants, go to the gym, and so on to build a masculine appearance. EX: "He passes super well as a man." Phalloplasty (n.) One option for bottom surgery. The phallus (penis) is typically constructed from skin either on the forearm or inner thigh. There can be optional urethral lengthening and/or scrotum insertion and/or a vaginectomy. EX: "When I went in for phallo(plasty), my doctor asked me how big I wanted my new penis." Stud (adj/n.) A descriptor for masculine Black lesbians, though recent scholarship has questioned the term's connection between Blackness and a "stud" as a breeding animal. EX: "My girlfriend is such a stud." T-Dick (n.) Affectionate nickname describing the growth of the clitoris while taking testosterone hormone replacement therapy. Can also be known as T-penis, T-cock, etc. EX: "My T-dick is bigger than yours!" Testosterone/T (n.) Synthetic testosterone many trans guys take to alter their body to a more masculine state. Can come in shots, gel, and pellets. Do not take pills. EX: "I take my T shots every other week." Top Surgery (n.) Nickname for a double mastectomy, aka the total removal of the breast tissue and reconstruction of the chest. There are multiple different kinds of top surgery, depending on body type and breast size. EX: "I got top surgery a few years ago and my scars have healed really well!" Trans Man/Male (n.) Typically describes an individual who is trans* and identifies as a binary man. Gender expression may vary. EX: "Aidrian identifies as a trans man. He's very macho." Trans Masc(uline) (adj./n.) Refers to individuals whose identity is along the masculine spectrum, but may not necessarily identify as Male. EX: "Yeah man, I'm transmasc. Sometimes I kinda feel like a guy but other days I dunno." Transgender (adj.) Used as an umbrella term and encompasses other terms (i.e. Non-Binary, Transsexual, etc.). An individual whose gender does not align with their A(G/S)AB. They may choose to pursue social and/or medical transition. Transgender individuals generally prioritize the non-medical aspects of their transition, but mileage varies. EX: "Transgender people use the bathroom just like everyone else does." Transsexual (adj.) Generally defines a trans* person who prioritizes their medical transition as opposed to some non-transsexuals. Transsexual predates Transgender as an umbrella term; used primarily when it was believed the only way a trans* person could be "legit" was to medically transition. In some contexts, transsexual is a slur; in other contexts, trans* people have reclaimed it for themselves. EX: "Jack is transsexual. I heard he's getting bottom surgery next week." Transvestite (adj.) Comes from the Latin trans - "to cross, across" and vestitus  "dressed". Coined in 1910 by Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld, transvestite was the main applicable term for any crossdresser regardless if they displayed symptoms of gender dysphoria. There was also sometimes a crossover with " transvestic fetishism", where an individual would receive sexual arousal from wearing clothing of the opposite sex. Sometimes synonymous with "crossdresser" or "CD". EX: "Transvestites were often persecuted by the Nazis during World War Two." This term is considered outdated and offensive by most trans* people. Bibliography Ajam Media Collective. “Recovering Arab Trans History: Masoud El Amaratly, the Folk Music Icon from Iraq’s Marshes.” Ajam Media Collective, June 26, 2023. https://ajammc.com/2023/06/26/iraq-trans-history-masoud-amaratly/. ​ genderkoolaid. “Oh Yeah.” Tumblr, August 8, 2023. https://genderkoolaid.tumblr.com/post/725139055619276800/recovering-arab-trans-history-masoud-el-amaratly. ​ Fandom.com . “Gender Wiki,” 2023. https://gender.fandom.com/wiki/Gender_Wiki. ​ McLean, Tui. “The Last of Albania’s ‘Sworn Virgins.’” BBC.com . BBC News, December 10, 2022. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63904744 ‌ Nonbinary.wiki . “Gender-Variant Identities Worldwide - Nonbinary Wiki,” 2022. https://nonbinary.wiki/wiki/Gender-variant_identities_worldwide Nonbinary.wiki . “Man - Nonbinary Wiki,” 2019. https://nonbinary.wiki/wiki/Man. ‌ Trans Male Resources. “Terminology | Trans Male Resources,” 2016. https://www.transmaleresources.com/terminology. Last updated: January 3rd, 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)

Binders are compression tank shirts aimed at flattening and compressing the breasts to form a flat chest shape. Binders come in a wide variety of colors and nudes. Binders typically either look like half tanks (similar to a sports bra) or a full tank shirt. Binders are important tools for many trans guys to achieve masculine presentation, though they do come with POTENTIAL health risks. In this article you will read about the caring and keeping of binders, as well as various placs to buy them and alternative methods of flattening your chest. How to wear and care for a binder You can wear a binder like any other undergarment/bra. Put it on in the morning (or whenever you're ready to go out) and take it off when you get home. There may be some mild discomfort in your chest when you first start wearing a binder, but that's pretty normal - your breasts are being smushed against your chest, and depending your cup size that can feel quite different from person to person. Modeling how to wear a binder, in various body shapes and binder colors. Cred in each photo. To care for your binder, wash it periodically like you would with a bra. It's not recommended to throw it into the washing machine. Putting it in the washing machine can temporarily tighten the fabric, but in the long run it slowly frays it. The best recommended practice is to wash it in the sink with a cup of detergent. Plug your sink (if you can) Fill with warm to hot water Add cup of your favorite clothing detergent Add binder(s) Swish around and scrub to remove dirt and grime Let soak for a little while Remove binders, drain sink Rinse binders off in the sink with warm or cold water Throw over the bar of your shower (or clothesline) and allow to dry. This will take several hours (and sometimes overnight), but you can speed up the process with a hair dryer. Sizing It is incredibly important to get a binder that fits you well! A binder that is too small can cause long-term damage to your ribs and lungs, and a binder that is too big won't compress your chest effectively!  Each binder supplier has their own chart for determining which size you should purchase, but Spectrum Binders has a handy conversion method for your general reference. Use a measuring tape or a cord of string to take your measurements. In between measurements? Go up a size! ​ For reference: "Chest (Bust)" measurement refers to the measurement around your torso  over  the largest part of the breast, typically over the nipple. "Rib" measurement refers to the circumference of your torso  underneath  the breast tissue. The two charts below have been provided from Spectrum Outfitters. These charts should serve as a reference guide and not a definitive answer to what size binder to buy. This is because different binder manufacturers have their own sizing chart for their own product. When buying a binder, please consult the individual manufacturer's sizing chart before making a purchase. Inches Centimeters Where NOT to buy binders Improperly binding can have many risks, including shortness of breath, general discomfort, rib pain, long-term damage to the ribcage and muscles surrounding it, and skin irritation. Always make sure to get a binder that is comfortable and fits well . ​ There are many places online that sell binder or binder-equivalent items. NEVER bind with Ace bandages or duct tape - both of these will cause harm to your chest and may cause complications if you ever pursue top surgery. ​ Similarly, binders with clasps on the side cause uneven pressure and may result in the aforementioned negative side effects. Binders with clasps in general are not recommended. Zippers on the  front  or  back  are fine , but a good binder should look and act like a very tight shirt with no zippers or clasps. ​ If you go onto a site like Amazon and see a binder labelled something like "FTM binder breast roleplay bra for tomboy elastic woman binder" - do  not  buy it. Paying a little extra to a reputable company will be worth it in the long term! DO NOT BUY THESE PRODUCTS TO BIND YOUR CHEST WITH! Where to buy binders from All prices listed are in USD. Amor Sensory Who: Amor Sensory is a company run primarily by Andy Amor, an autistic nonbinary artist and designer. ​ At this moment, it appears there are no products on the website. Check back later. ​ Check them out here! gc2b Who:  Founded in 2015 by a Black and Latinx trans man based in Maryland, USA. gc2b were the first binders to be designed and patented specifically for gender-affirmation. ​ ​ Price Range: $37 - $47; sometimes on sale. ​ Check out some reviews  here  and  here . ​ ​ Check them out here! Gender Bender Who:  Founded in 2017 by Xander Shepard who wanted to make a binder for a FTM friend who couldn't afford one. They make sensory and chronic pain-friendly binders as well as swimwear.​ ​ Price Range: $39 - $95; sometimes on sale. ​ Check out some reviews  here  and  here . ​ ​ Check them out here! For Them Who: Run by queer people, for queer people. They are a queer, Black and trans owned and operated business with the mission of supporting queer folks to live authentically and find their voices in a vibrant, inclusive space. According to their site, they use eco-friendly fabrics, dyes, and sustainable production methods.​ ​ Price Range: $55 - $64; discounts if you are a member.​ ​ Check out a review   here. ​ Check them out here! Sock Drawer Heroes Who:  Started in 2018 and based in Australia and run by a trans and gender-diverse team, Sock Drawer Heroes are sensory friendly and size inclusive. ​ Price Range: $47 - $57; sometimes goes on sale.​ ​ Check out a review  here. ​ They also have a Pay It Forward Program ! ​ Check them out here! Spectrum Outfitters Who:  Based in the UK and by a trans man with comfort and safety in mind. Does also ship to the US and Europe. Proudly uses recycled materials to make binders. For every order they plant one tree. ​ Price Range: $35 - $46; sometimes goes on sale.​ ​ Check out some reviews   here   and here. ​ Check them out here! Underworks Who:  Founded over 20 years ago. Not specifically trans-centric (or owned) but offers affordable options and is widely recognized by major organizations. ​ Price Range: $18.33 - $38.33​ ​ Check out some reviews here. ​ Check them out here! Binding with (good) tape Believe it or not, you can actually bind with tape - BUT - it has to be the correct kind of tape. As mentioned before, binding with material like duct tape or ace bandages will cause harm to your chest.  ​ Companies such as TransTape have solved the issue of not wanting to wear a binder by making strong adhesive tape that is safe for your body and provides the same amount of compression that any regular binder would give. These tapes can be worn for multiple days without the risk of causing permanent damage to the chest muscles. A single roll of tape can last multiple weeks, depending on how frequently a person binds and how large their chest is. You will also need to purchase oil (baby oil works fine) for removing the tape. Be gentle on removal! You want to minimize pulling and tearing of hair/skin as much as possible. You can also buy nipple guards (aka pasties) to further protect your body. Looking for a tutorial on how to apply and remove binding tape? TransTape has an extremely in-depth video tutorial on their website! Trans Tape Who:  Founded in 2017 by Kaiyote Jackson after realizing he was trans, but didn't like the discomfort of wearing binders. TransTape is waterproof, hypoallergenic, 95% cotton, with medical-grade adhesive. Based in Maine, USA.​ ​ Price Range: ​Single roll: $14.50 - $19.99; they offer kits/bundles for more money. ​ Check out some reviews here and here. ​ Check them out here! KT Tape Who:  Founded in 2008 for athletes (not necessarily trans people) suffering from sports injuries. Based in Utah, USA.​ ​ Price Range: ​$13.99 - $119.99 ​ Check out a review here. ​ Check them out here! Binding FAQ How long can I bind for? Experts recommend not binding for more than eight (8) hours per day. We realize that sometimes dysphoria may get bad on some days and you may fall asleep in your binder. Don't worry, a day or two of doing that won't negatively effect you - but it will if this becomes a repeated habit. If you feel any aches or pains in your chest, take a break for one or a few days! Is binding dangerous? Binding is not inherently dangerous, when done safely. If you have a binder in the correct size, you don't wear it for much longer than eight hours a day, and you're not regularly being winded while wearing it, it'll be no different on your body than simply wearing an especially tight sports bra. Though if you do feel any prolonged pain, take a short break. Are you SURE binding with duct tape/Ace bandages is unsafe? Yes, we are very sure. Doing it one time, like sleeping in a binder, will not damage you in the long term, but doing it repeatedly will. Improper binding can lead to bruised and warped ribs, compression of the lungs, fluid buildup in the lungs, skin irritation, and muscle pain. Binding improperly can also put you at risk for being unable to get top surgery (double mastectomy) in the future. We know that dysphoria really sucks, but your physical health is far more important. Still unsure about binding with tape/bandages? Check out this Quora chain for more info. Can I swim/exercise in a binder? Generally, it is recommended that you do NOT exercise in a binder. Working out in a binder that compresses your chest and lungs during physical activity may lead to shortness of breath, an elevated heart rate, and chest pain. We recommend that during your workouts you wear a tight sports bra or wear a very baggy shirt, if applicable. For swimming, many binders are built to go in water. As long as you're not swimming intensely, binding while swimming can be safe. Listen to your body! Should I get a binder or (safe) binding tape? Binder pros: Looks like an undershirt/sports bra (for closeted trans guys), technically waterproof, can last for many years, provides extra chest support Binder cons: Need to wash it sometimes, can fray over time, can become loose with wear Tape pros: Wearable for multiple days, waterproof, don't need to clean them, good for hot/humid climates, good for temporary use Tape cons: You have to keep buying more, application can be difficult, may be more difficult for larger chests Know of more binding resources? Reach out to the TGA!

The Trans Guy Archive's first monthly zine, with contributions from our lovely community members on Tumblr and Discord. We're so happy that people are engaging with transmasculine history! We would love your feedback on how to make this even better! Click on any of the images to read at a bigger size! As with many zines, the entire thing is available to you for free. But if you'd like to support the Trans Guy Archive's work and throw us a dollar or two, we wouldn't say no! If Venmo asks you for the last 4 digits of a phone number, it's 2134.

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