It’s a refreshing feeling for LGBT people to see a more inclusive social landscape in America today, but trans people recognize that among the LGBT community, their uphill journey is the longest. Caitlyn Jenner and Laverne Cox have reinvigorated the trans conversation in recent times, but the conversation still has many ears to reach. Laverne Cox spoke to Us Weekly this month, speaking to the violence that many trans women still face:
“Violence against trans women has gone up 13 percent since last year’s report. In so many ways, it’s a wonderful time, but in so many ways we are still deeply challenged to protect the lives of all LGBT people, particularly trans women of color.”
And although the violence is definitely worse for trans women, trans men aren’t excluded in the fight. Mitch Kellaway wrote a piece for The Advocate earlier this year discussing how society’s pattern to silence the voices of trans men has an obvious link to trans youth suicide:
“Trans men can face violence, even while trans women, on the whole, do face more. The violence men face is commonly self-inflicted; or else, it's often verbal and can even, at times, be perpetrated by other trans people.”
The conversation behind understanding, welcoming, and supporting the trans community should start with us fellow LGBT people, and following a bunch of amazing trans on Instagram is the easiest way to become apart of that conversation. This week, we bring you a list of out and proud FTM Instagram accounts that you follow!
1. @isupersheng
Leo was the first to be featured in Miley Cyrus’s Happy Hippie #InstaPride Campaign, celebrating him for being out and proud, sharing his life on a young trans Asian man with Instagram.
Chance is a personal trainer who shares his life with his trans boyfriend Joey, and their fitness journey and relationship.
Viktor’s Instagram features a lot of his huge white gauges, a goatee that shames them all, and a glimpse into his life as a queer sex worker.
4. @alionsfear
Aydian Dowling is a trans activist who's shared his entire story on YouTube, made on appearance on Ellen, and entered the Ultimate Men's Health Guy Search (which would make him the first trans man to be on the cover of Men's Health). His Instagram is an authentic look into the life of a trans man who's been on T for four years and counting.
Jesse shares lots and lots and lots of inspiring fitness physique photos, and being a Nutrishop sponsored personal trainer, it's no surprise he has a lot to offer the fitness world.
Chan was one of the doormen at the recently closed San Francisco lesbian bar the Lex, and his Instagram offers a clear portrayal of what his life is like: good food, cats, and queers.
7. @dr.bitesize
Mac's bio spells out a lot of things — his age, his faith, his girlfriend, and his sobriety — but what his pictures show are the everyday life of young American adults: trips to Vegas, puppy dogs, and girlfriend selfies.
8. @rockybulkboa
Aldon is a proud trans man of color who loves fitness, bathroom selfies, photo filters, and women. And he recently started sharing his story on YouTube!
With an applaudable enthusiasm for Lea Michele (check his bio) and Selena (scroll down), Adam is yet another trans man, sharing his story along with #tbt pictures, images of his girlfriend, and many random Internet finds.
10. @mosdefinitely__
Blake's feed is filled with tons of style selfies, showcasing his fly haircut and sense of fashion.
Check back next week for more awesome trans Instagrammers!
