Five trans men, after finding a flyer advertising penis transplants, imagine their lives post-transplant and come up with plans to get enough money for a transplant each. Written and directed by trans man Lazlo Pearlman. Stars Mestizo-American trans man Prado Gomez and German-American trans man Max Wolf Valerio. Unhung Heroes Short Film 2002 United States of America, Germany (Deutschland) Five trans men, after finding a flyer advertising penis transplants, imagine their lives post-transplant and come up with plans to get enough money for a transplant each. Written and directed by trans man Lazlo Pearlman. Stars Mestizo-American trans man Prado Gomez and German-American trans man Max Wolf Valerio. Watch. Available Summary: In 2002 I wrote and directed Unhung Heroes , a short comic fiction film about five FTM transgender guys who, after finding an internet article announcing the first actual penis transplants are about to be performed (true story), imagine a scheme to come up with over a million dollars in surgery money. Riffing on Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs , Busby Berkeley musicals and the 1970's gay soft porn films starring Peter Berlin, this action-packed comedy starts with their experience of life as a "guy without a dick", then follows their rosy fantasies of life post-transplant, and the crazy imaginary lengths they go to for the money. - Lazlo Pearlman's website . WARNINGS: Bandage binding , brief comedic nudity, discussion of sex and anatomy, reclaimed trans and gay slurs, comedic exploration of serious issues and struggles. Pretty ridiculous and funny! Entry last updated: 10 Mar 2026

Avery, a trans man played by American trans male actor Elliot Fletcher, is misgendered and deadnamed by a sibling who is dealing with self-hatred and internalised bigotry. Brother X Short Film 2018 United States of America Avery, a trans man played by American trans male actor Elliot Fletcher, is misgendered and deadnamed by a sibling who is dealing with self-hatred and internalised bigotry. Watch. Available Summary: A young man's difficulty accepting his transgender brother leads him to confront the contradictions in his own identity. While he cannot bring himself to understand his new brother's experience, he himself spends his nights clubbing in Hollywood dressed as a woman. This semi-autobiographic film explores the depths of scrutiny, self conflict, and harsh judgment. It focuses on identity and the experience of cognitive dissonance. -Conner De Mita. Note from Jack: Provided you are prepared for misgendering, deadnaming, and physical violence, this is a really good short film. I very much enjoyed it. Entry last updated: 8 Feb 2026

Indian trans male footballers are interviewed about their lives and love of sport, and the importance of Ya_All FC, a team comprised solely of trans men. Meet the All-Trans Men Football Team From India Documentary 2021 India (Bhārat Gaṇarājya) Indian trans male footballers are interviewed about their lives and love of sport, and the importance of Ya_All FC, a team comprised solely of trans men. Watch. Available Summary: In 2020, 15 young people from the North-Eastern Indian state of Manipur created history. They became the country's first all-transgender men’s football team. This team, called the Ya_All FC, defied the binary in sport. But their journey to recognition hasn't been without challenges. Therefore, in this episode of The Rainbow Guide To Life, VICE World News attended the 4th edition of Queer Games North East 2021. The team played in this event, and along with host Susan Khwairakpam, a former footballer and member of Ya_All FC, VICE World News caught up with players and the founder of Ya_All, the driving force behind this team, to figure out why inclusion in sports is so crucial to some members of the transgender community and how it helps them in building their lives. -YouTube. Jack's Summary: I was very glad to find this short documentary, because it focusses on an extremely underrepresented group; Indian trans men. Further, Ya_All FC is the country's first all-FTM football/soccer team, and it's wonderful to see that kind of pioneering effort in any country, especially if that country has restrictive laws which affect trans men. Wahengbam Chaoba, the Captain of the team, speaks about his personal gender journey, including being raised by a father who was supportive of his male identity. He starts crying when discussing his mother's reservations towards his transition, proving how important parental support is, and how crucial FTM-exclusive spaces can be for young trans men without adequate support. When the interviewer asks if Chaoba has found a family in the team, he immediately agrees. "I have found a place to share my story," he elaborates. The founder of the team, a gay man who was motivated by his own isolation and struggles with substance abuse, established a space for trans men after noticing that FTMs were being left behind while trans female visibility was bolstered by HIV awareness movements. The purpose of the team goes beyond simply playing football, with the main goals being equity and social justice. I loved hearing that a primary goal was to turn young trans men into the next generation of leaders. Entry last updated: 2 Mar 2026

Dane, a non-binary person played by Indian-English trans actor Xelia Mendes-Jones, is a member of a post-apocalyptic paramilitary order called the Brotherhood of Steel. Fallout Show 2024 England, India (Bhārat Gaṇarājya), United States of America Dane, a non-binary person played by Indian-English trans actor Xelia Mendes-Jones, is a member of a post-apocalyptic paramilitary order called the Brotherhood of Steel. Available Summaries: Fallout is set in 2296, 219 years after the global nuclear holocaust known as the Great War. During this apocalyptic event, some managed to survive in Vaults, massive fallout shelters constructed by the Vault-Tec Corporation across the United States, while leaving the rest outside to suffer and struggle for survival in the wasteland... The Brotherhood of Steel is a post-War quasi-religious technocratic paramilitary order, founded in the immediate aftermath of the Great War by members of the United States Armed Forces and the government-sponsored scientific community... Dane is a member of the Knights of San Fernando, a chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel operating in the greater Los Angeles area in 2296... Nothing is known about Dane's history save for that they were not born into the Brotherhood of Steel, though how and when they were recruited is also unknown. In their military career, Dane has experienced living in the wasteland and knows the worst of how humanity can be. In joining the Brotherhood of Steel, Dane was attracted to the idea of having "brothers" and "sisters" that supported each other, and values in learning about technology. - Fallout Wiki . Entry last updated: 16 Mar 2026

Andrea, a teenage trans boy played by Italian actress Luana Giuliani, tries to figure out his gender identity in this semi-autobiographical film, co-written and directed by Italian trans man Emanuele Crialese. He is called Andrew in the English version of this film. L'immensità Film 2022 Italy (Repubblica Italiana), France (Française) Andrea, a teenage trans boy played by Italian actress Luana Giuliani, tries to figure out his gender identity in this semi-autobiographical film, co-written and directed by Italian trans man Emanuele Crialese. He is called Andrew in the English version of this film. Trailer. Available Summary: In 1970s Rome, Clara is a nonconformist Spanish expatriate trapped in a loveless marriage to Felice, an unfaithful and abusive businessman, with whom she has three children: Adriana, Gino and Diana. Their eldest child, 12-year-old Adriana, experiences gender dysphoria. Adriana rejects girlhood and instead identifies as a boy, wearing boys' clothes and adopting the masculine name Andrea. One day, Andrea befriends Sara, a Romani girl who knows him as a boy. Upon a shared sense of being outsiders, Andrea and Clara grow closer. -Wikipedia. Jack's Summary: Emanuele Crialese, a trans man born in 1965, directed this semi-autobiographical film about a trans boy's relationship with his mother. Beyond the trans themes, the movie primarily deals with family dysfunction, misogyny, spousal control, domestic abuse, and infidelity. Andrea (alternatively called Andrew in the translated English version of this film) is the oldest of three children. All children are experiencing distress and mental illness due to domestic conflict, with Andrea's brother overeating, suffering from pica, and defecating indoors on the carpet. At its most disturbing, this film shows Andrea crawling into his parent's bedroom to save his mother from being raped by her husband. These darker themes are so central to the story that this attempted rape is included in the film's official trailer, linked above. Andrea's father speaking about him. The movie overall oscillates between lighthearted, idyllic childhood scenes and confronting instances of assault, harassment, bigotry, and mental breakdowns. Ultimately, this is a good film, although it did feel somewhat unfinished when I got to the end. I liked the explorations of Andrea's gender identity and frustration. He tries to figure out who he is through fantasies involving God, aliens, and adoption. He has a romance with Sara, a local girl who accepts him as a boy. They play games together and have their first kiss. The film touches on the experiences of Romani people and anti-Romani sentiment, but doesn't linger on that topic too much. You can learn more about anti-Romani prejudice in this article (please note that the article uses historical terms which are often considered pejoratives today, and shouldn't be used by non-Romani people outside of a historical discussion). In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Crialese discussed the film and his casting choices. He did not prioritise casting a trans actor to play this fictionalised version of his younger self, saying, "I searched among young girls who play sports considered "boy" sports. Luana [who played Andrea] races motorcycles". So, he sought a masculine energy, regardless of actor gender. Entry last updated: 8 Feb 2026

Benjamin, a trans man played by French actress Noémie Merlant, pauses his medical transition to carry a pregnancy. He is in a committed relationship with a woman. A Good Man Film 2020 Belgium (België), France (Française) Benjamin, a trans man played by French actress Noémie Merlant, pauses his medical transition to carry a pregnancy. He is in a committed relationship with a woman. Available Summary: Benjamin and Aude want to have a baby, but when they discover Aude is unable to conceive, Benjamin comes up with a plan. -Wikipedia. Jack's Summary: The basic plot of A Good Man is that Benjamin, a trans man played by actress Noémie Merlant, decides to carry a pregnancy because his partner Aude, played by Soko, cannot. Benjamin and Aude. I did not like this film for many reasons beyond the fact that an actress was cast to play the trans male lead, in a context where trans male actors could have been employed instead. It starts out alright and goes very quickly downhill. Benjamin is humiliated by numerous people who are simply forgiven for mistreating him, without ever needing to apologise for their actions. Benjamin's so-called "buddy" reacting very poorly after his friend comes out. Benjamin, at one stage, gives a self-flagellating speech about how he deceived his friend by living as a man and not coming out as trans earlier. It is an an absolutely awful scene. To put it plainly; a man living as a man is not deceiving friends. No self-respecting trans man, who has been low-disclosure (or "stealth") for years, as Benjamin has, should demean himself in the manner that Benjamin does. As a low-disclosure trans man myself, I found this scene utterly insulting. Benjamin's friend calls him a "woman disguised as a man" and a "goddamn liar". Benjamin says, "you're right" and agrees that he is a liar just for living as a man and not disclosing his private history. At this point, I wished to send the filmmakers a very sincere and heartfelt "fuck you!" Benjamin's mother engaging in a moment of self-pity while her son is receiving emergency care. In another scene, as the injured Benjamin lies unconscious in a hospital bed after fleeing physical violence, his transphobic mother is afforded a long, uninterrupted monologue as she stands wistfully at a window. She misgenders her son and laments the fact that he has always been difficult, not like the oh-so-perfect daughter she wished to have. Benjamin's partner, who is in the room, doesn't bother to stick up for him or correct the mother's language. After being called "sir-ma'am" by a nurse, Benjamin bursts into tears. At the end, Benjamin is left to give birth on his own. Aude fucks off, apparently happy for him to be mistreated by nursing staff with nobody to advocate on his behalf. Then, all of a sudden, his transphobic friend is magically happy to support him and provide him medical care, and he is suddenly completely comfortable with his mother watching him give birth, when she magically deigns to be a part of his life again. Never, at any stage in this film, is accountability needed. I'm not saying that all trans blokes will hate A Good Man , but I didn't like it. I hated the way that a happy ending was slapped atop a mountain of trauma, misgendering, and humiliation which the cis characters never had to apologise for. The argument could be made that Romeos (2011) , one of my favourite films, is flawed in a similar way. But, while the trans male protagonist of Romeos (named Lukas) is certainly afforded a sudden happy ending after weathering all kinds of transphobic abuse, the key difference for me is his strength and pride. He stands up against harassment, he literally fights off abuse, and he doesn't take misgendering lying down. Benjamin, by comparison, agrees that he's a liar just for being a trans man, and then gives a tearful, pitiful speech to beg for his friend's compassion. Lukas doesn't beg anybody for anything. He certainly never agrees that he's a fraud or a liar, just because he didn't expose a part of his life/body which is nobody else's business. When Lukas does choose to forgive Fabio, a gay man who is attracted to Lukas but becomes hostile after learning Lukas’s assigned sex, it’s because he’s learned the truth; Fabio is a self-hating, insecure, scared man who pretends to be straight and even lies to his own family, using horrible slurs (ableist, homophobic, et cetera) to cover his own vulnerability. It’s clear that, by the end of the film, Lukas no longer feels threatened or cowed by Fabio, once armed with knowledge of where Fabio’s weak-willed nastiness truly comes from. He’s seen Fabio at his most vulnerable, and even met Fabio’s oblivious mother, giving him power within their relationship. When Romeos ends, Lukas is in control. He’s been hurt and disrespected, but he’s in charge of everything that happens to him. Characters such as the man who tried to rape him, and the official who treated him like a freak, are not forgiven. For all of these reasons and more, watching Romeos makes me feel that I'm being seen in all my strength, even though Lukas is put through some heinous stuff. After all, I've been put through heinous things as well. It's not a perfect movie, but I love it. Watching A Good Man just makes me angry. Aude engaging in some needless lesbophobia. Trans and gender-diverse people aren't the only ones insulted in A Good Man . Upon meeting Aude for the first time, Benjamin (pre-transition) tells her that he isn't a lesbian, referencing the fact that he's a closeted trans man attracted to women; a reasonable, necessary distinction to make. Aude, in response, laughs and says "lesbian sounds nasty", going on to insist that she isn't a lesbian either. I didn't like, or even understand, this scene. Why are we putting down lesbians, again? Why is that necessary, just to reinforce that Aude is attracted to men as well as women? There was no need for lesbophobia in this film. Being a lesbian isn't nasty. Fuck you, Aude. "In memory of Jacob Hunt." The post-film note at the end of A Good Man. Jacob Hunt, the real-life trans male inspiration for Benjamin, in the biographical film Coby. What's weirdest about this film is that Christian Sonderegger apparently co-wrote it, and the plot is linked to his real-life brother's transition. In fact, Sonderegger directed Coby (2017) , documenting his trans brother's journey, during which Jacob considered becoming pregnant. Some lines in A Good Man are directly lifted from Coby. In A Good Man , Benjamin's brother is established as an antagonist, reacting with aggression when Benjamin announces that he will be carrying a child. In this way, Christian Sonderegger has almost cast himself as the villain, as though this is how he might've reacted if Jacob had ultimately chosen to become pregnant. It's very disquieting. Surely, if the film were being made in the memory of Jacob, Sonderegger would've wanted to show his brother's memory some love and compassion. Surely Benjamin's brother could've been loving and supportive at a time when Benjamin's own mother had disowned him. Further, surely Sonderegger could've spared a thought for the trans men who would watch A Good Man , and how much they might adore a fictional depiction of such a brotherly bond. Instead, Benjamin's brother yells at him, furious that his family member is inconveniencing the world by daring to be a pregnant man, making the post-film note all the more upsetting. How would Jacob have felt about brotherly abandonment in A Good Man , I wonder? As a viewer of both A Good Man and Coby , all I can do is theorise about the filmmaking decisions which led to the dramatic martyrdom of Benjamin, and the wholly unpleasant viewing experience of watching him be abandoned and verbally attacked by his brother. Who knows, maybe Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar, producer of A Good Man , is to blame for the worst parts of the movie, and Sonderegger had no input beyond the screenplay they authored together. Regardless, I wouldn't recommend watching it. Just watch Coby . Entry last updated: 8 Feb 2026

Trans men are interviewed about the changes they have experienced on testosterone. Imagine a Body (The Second Puberty of Trans Men) Experimental Film, Short Film 2022 United States of America Trans men are interviewed about the changes they have experienced on testosterone. Watch. Available Summary: Connor O’Keefe’s Imagine a Body shares the testimonies of trans men about the process of entering the body they were meant to have. -YouTube. Jack's Summary: This is a lovely non-fiction piece where trans men are interviewed about their experiences of finally feeling comfortable in their bodies. One trans man laughs as he recalls being surprised by the growth of arse hair. Several men describe the process of testosterone (and transitioning overall) being less linear than they had expected, with changes ebbing and flowing throughout the years. NOTE: The word clit is used by one trans man to reference his bottom growth so, if that will make you dysphoric, proceed with caution. If you're sensitive to needle use, you should be aware that uncensored footage of a testosterone injection is shown. Entry last updated: 8 Feb 2026

Alike, a masculine-of-centre butch played by American actress Adepero Oduye, embraces her identity in defiance of her bigoted and violent mother. Pariah Film 2011 United States of America Alike, a masculine-of-centre butch played by American actress Adepero Oduye, embraces her identity in defiance of her bigoted and violent mother. Trailer. Available Summary: A Brooklyn teenager juggles conflicting identities and risks friendship, heartbreak, and family in a desperate search for sexual expression. -IMDb. Jack's Summary: To be clear: This is not a trans male film! But I feel it's important to include here, because the protagonist's journey will likely reassure some gender-questioning visitors to this site that, yes, there are people like you in the world. If you're trying to figure out who you are, this film will give you a window into masculine-of-centre (MoC), boi, stud, butch, and aggressive (AG) expression, and you may find yourself there. Alike, pressured into dressing differently. Alike (pronounced ah-lee-kay), the protagonist of Pariah , expresses herself masculinely when able to, and is intensely uncomfortable when made to wear feminine clothing. When forced to wear a skirt and a pink shirt, she insists, "this isn't me". Throughout the film she tries to figure out who she is, and tries to live authentically despite an intensely homophobic mother who ultimately becomes physically violent when Alike stands up for herself. Alike, scarred from her mother's violence. There are certainly many warnings which apply to this film. Another AG is sexually harassed by men as Alike's father watches without comment, Alike faces merciless bullying and eventual physical abuse from her mother, and a minor character struggles with internalised lesbophobia. Additionally, the phrase "he-she d*ke" is used to attack another MoC person. Regardless, this is a beautiful and profoundly important film that deserves more widespread appreciation, with incredible acting, a happy ending, and nuanced characters. You just need to prepare yourself before watching. There are so many complex identities in this world. There are lesbians who identify as transmasculine. There are butches who affirm themselves through low doses of testosterone, and sometimes even top surgery (including a butch in this video , and many butches photographed by the incredible organisation Butch Is Not A Dirty Word). There is so much beauty and gender-diverse nuance beyond being a binary trans man, which does happen to be my label and where I have found my pride. If you don't see yourself in films about trans men, don't give up! See if you recognise yourself in Pariah . Entry last updated: 8 Feb 2026

Volana, a transmasculine person played by trans actor Kalil Anaël Bat, is healed through dance with an interdimensional Spirit. Volana's Eclipse Short Film 2022 Germany (Deutschland), France (Française) Volana, a transmasculine person played by trans actor Kalil Anaël Bat, is healed through dance with an interdimensional Spirit. Watch. Available Summary: Volana (Moon in Malagasy) is a Black Transmasculine person who parties excessively to avoid feeling their emotional and physical pain. One night, when they are about to join their friends, they get stuck in another dimension where they are overwhelmed to meet TIA, a gorgeous and flamboyant Spirit. Their encounter makes them experience a whirlpool of emotions and an interdimensional healing dance. - Otherness Archive . Entry last updated: 18 Mar 2026

Adam, a trans boy played by Canadian actress Jordan Todosey, experiences discrimination and violence as he tries to be himself at school. Degrassi Show 2010 United States of America Adam, a trans boy played by Canadian actress Jordan Todosey, experiences discrimination and violence as he tries to be himself at school. Jack's Summary: Degrassi previously had a trans male character named Adam, played by Canadian actress Jordan Todosey. This storyline was praised as being very progressive when it originally aired, but I'm pretty confident in saying we've come a long way since then, judging by the character's use of bandages to bind his chest . All of the scenes I've seen are very cliché and one-dimensional, although that is not limited to Adam’s depiction alone. You can watch some scenes here and here , but prepare yourself for unsafe chest binding, self harm, transphobia, deadnaming, misgendering, physical assault, and bullying. Chaz Bono, a trans male celebrity and actor, has a brief role in the show, where he provides advice to the trans boy character. You can read a blow-by-blow account of Adam’s storyline on his wiki page , if you are interested. Originally, Todosey signed up to play an “androgynous lesbian character”, but after being hired was told that she’d actually be playing a trans boy. Reportedly, she was incredibly uncomfortable presenting masculinely for the role, and said that wearing “guy clothes” while watching “the other girls [get] dressed up and get their hair and makeup done” made her relate to “how a transgender male-to-female might feel”. In the same interview where she discussed those discomforts, she also mentioned wanting to make Adam “likeable and fun” so that teenage viewers of Degrassi wouldn’t be intimidated when meeting trans classmates. She also said that her dream storyline for Adam would be an "A Plot" (meaning a main plot) which involves him, but does not focus on his gender. “I really want him to just be a guy and do something fun and daring with his guy friends… for him to finally get the girl and have a great relationship with her”. She also referenced feeling a “huge responsibility” to portray him properly. Based on what I have seen, this was a very flawed depiction of a trans boy, played by a young actress with genuinely good intentions. Entry last updated: 8 Feb 2026

Transgender, transsexual, non-binary, cis, butch, onabe... What do these words mean? Terminology An overview of the identities, labels, and communities referenced throughout this website, noting that cultures and individuals may have different definitions to what is described here. Consider this a starting point, not the final say. Several of the terms on this page are used as slurs against trans, gender diverse, and non-conforming people. For some people however, such terms are their entire identity, and that should be respected. Image Identities Trans A shorthand for transgender and/or transsexual. Transgender An umbrella term for people whose gender identities do not correspond with the gender identities they were assigned at birth. Transsexual Someone who has changed, or who seeks to change, their sex characteristics through medical interventions (hormones, surgeries). This term is also used by some people who do not pursue medical interventions, especially older trans people. Unlike orientation terms (homosexual, heterosexual), the "sex" in this term refers to sex characteristics. Trans Man or Transman A man who was assigned female at birth, but who has a male gender. Some men, particularly older men, may instead write this term as transman, without the space. Non-Binary An umbrella term for people whose gender identities fall outside of a man/woman binary. For example, agender (a sense of having no gender) and genderfluid (fluctuating gender identity). Non-binary can also be used as an individual identity, if a person does not wish to label their identity any further. Transmasculine Trans people who were assigned female at birth, and whose gender identities are centrally defined by masculinity. Some trans men use this label, others do not feel represented by it. Butch A term which is used in diverse ways by masculine lesbians, masculine-of-centre people, and (in the modern-day) people who also use terms like transmasculine or non-binary. Some butches may solely identify as butch, using no other label. I highly recommend the series Butch Is Not A Dirty Word to learn about butch identity and diversity. The founder of BINADW, Esther Godoy, explains , "People refer to the word butch as a noun, as an adjective, as a gender identity all in itself... Nobody can really say what is, or what isn't, butch. There's so few other terms that do that. It feels like a safe space, for me." Culturally-Specific Identities Identities and labels which are specific to certain cultures, spiritualities, ethnicities, etc. مسترجل (Mustarjil) Ahwaris, also referred to as Marsh Arabs, are a community that inhabit the Mesopotamian marshlands in modern-day south Iraq... Mustarjil is an Arabic term meaning “becoming a man.” Although it can be used derogatorily to refer to women who are perceived as having a masculine appearance and/or mannerisms, in Iraq’s marshes, it existed as a gender identity. Within the context of the Ahwari community, Mustarjil was a common gender identity, where people assigned female at birth decide to live as a man after puberty, and this decision was generally accepted in the community (source ). Brotherboy An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who was assigned female at birth, who has a male spirit. Brotherboys might also identify as trans men, transmasculine, or non-binary, or just as a Brotherboy. It is a gender identity and a cultural identity not appropriate for other populations to use. お鍋 (Onabe) An older term for Japanese people who were assigned female at birth, and who present masculinely or live as men. People who identify with this term may be trans men or masculine women, or may identify (in Western terms) as non-binary people or transmasculine people. Or, they may solely identify as Onabe. This term is not appropriate for non-Japanese people to use. Two Spirit A contemporary umbrella term used by some Indigenous people, in the land now called North America, to describe those who fulfil a transitional third-gender or gender-variant role in their communities. This includes Wakikanak (described as those born in a woman's body but who take on the roles of men ), Înahpîkasoht (described as women who dress, live, or are accepted as men ), and many more. Indigiqueer A contemporary umbrella term attributed to Indigenous trans man Theo Jean Cuthand, who coined the label in 2004 because, "some LGBTQ Indigenous people don’t feel as comfortable with the Two Spirit title because it implies some dual gender stuff, which some people just don’t feel describes their identity" (source ). Acronyms and Terms FTM (Female-to-Male) A shorthand acronym for people who were assigned female at birth, who transition to male. TGD (Trans and Gender-Diverse) An inclusive umbrella term/acronym for people whose gender identities do not correspond to their genders assigned at birth, and people whose gender experiences are non-normative and diverse, but who may not use the term trans to describe themselves. AFAB (Assigned Female at Birth) A shorthand acronym for people who were assigned female at birth, alternatively described as "born female" or "female-born" across media and by some community members. Sometimes written as PFAB (presumed female at birth). Gender Dysphoria A persistent sense of distress and discomfort caused by a person's birth sex conflicting with their innate gender identity. For example, a trans man may begin experiencing physical gender dysphoria during puberty, when he starts to develop breast tissue beyond what other boys are developing at his age. A trans man may experience social gender dysphoria when referred to as a woman, or with she/her/hers pronouns. Cisgender A person whose gender identity corresponds to the gender they were assigned at birth. Basically, the majority of the human population. For example, a cisgender man is a bloke who was born male, raised as a boy, and grew up as a man. The etymology of "cis" simply means "on the same side" and, when applied to gender, means that a person's gender status has not changed. For most cis people, this is not an identity necessarily, but is rather used in medical and advocacy settings to avoid stigmatising language like "trans men and normal men," implying that trans men are abnormal or unnatural. Alternative language used in historical media and in different global communities includes, "neo-natal males and natal males," and, "trans men and biological men," and more. The appropriateness of these terms depends on social context. Other Terms Intersex, Endosex, and IVSC Intersex is an umbrella term for people born with innate variations in their sex characteristics, which do not fit medical/social norms for male and female bodies. Sex characteristics include chromosomes, gonads, genitalia, hormones, and physical changes which emerge with puberty. Being intersex is not the same as being trans or gender-diverse. Many intersex people are cisgender. As this is a trans-focused website, intersex media is only included where trans or gender-diverse people also happen to be intersex, or where intersex experiences also happen to be discussed in trans or gender-diverse media. The acronym IVSC (Innate Variations of Sex Characteristics) can be used to emphasise the meaning of intersex in contexts where LGBT+ communities, or allies, misunderstand intersex as describing a gender identity. An endosex person is someone who was born with innate sex characteristics which correspond with medical/social norms for male and female bodies. This is the majority of the human population, and the majority of trans or gender-diverse people. I self-label as being born endosex, because I am a trans man who was born in a female body which fit the medical and social norms of female anatomy. The changes to my sex later, when I transitioned, does not make me intersex. My sex variations are acquired, not innate. Self-labelling as endosex is a way of acknowledging that, whatever else I faced, I was spared the corrective medical interventions and mutilations endured by intersex individuals.

A trans man's critique of chest binding in movies, shows, documentaries, from bandage binding to open chest binding. Chest Binding in Movies, Shows, Documentaries, and Other Media What is Chest Binding, and Why Do People Bind? Put simply, chest binding is the act of flattening your chest. A wide range of people flatten their chests. Here are some examples: Cis men with gynaecomastia (increased breast tissue). Trans men. Non-binary people. Gender non-conforming women. Lesbians and butches. Drag kings. Cosplayers and crossdressers. Here are some motivations for binding: Reducing body dysphoria toward one's chest, and/or experiencing the gender euphoria of a flatter chest. Reducing social dysphoria which may result from being misgendered. Being safer in public, if being read as male will protect a person from harassment or violence. For example, see the documentary Transition (2023) . Temporarily presenting in a masculine, male, or androgynous style, for identity or fandom or fashion purposes. Is Binding Safe? Binding comes with risks, even if a reputable, well-designed, properly-sized binder is used. In this study , 97% of respondents had experienced at least one negative symptom caused by binding, including minor symptoms like temporary skin irritation. This study found that most symptoms will become apparent quickly, with more serious symptoms (such as rib fractures, which are rare) taking many more years to develop. This emphasises the importance of taking symptoms seriously when they do appear, rather than pushing through pain or discomfort. For many people, if they take minor symptoms seriously and proceed with caution, binding will be relatively safe. For me, however, binding was not sustainable or painless, even when I wore binders which were advertised to me as being absolutely safe. Ultimately, more research is needed into chest binding, so that we have a more robust body of research to be informed by. Binding is a huge part of many people's lives, especially those who bind for safety reasons, and those people deserve empirical evidence. You can learn more about chest binding here . Some methods of binding are safer than others. Unfortunately, more dangerous methods dominate media depictions of trans men, non-binary people, and gender non-conforming individuals assigned female at birth. Disclosure (2020), a documentary purporting to thoroughly analyse trans representation in the media, failed to offer an in-depth critique of chest binding depictions, despite how widespread harmful binding depictions are, which is one of the reasons I created this site. Safer binders are typically stiff/taut at the front, to flatten the chest, while being looser across the back. The safest binders also have shoulder straps, as that extra support helps take pressure of the ribcage and back, compared to wrap-around binders which apply consistent pressure around the entire torso, just like bandages. Denny, a non-binary person in the 2023 film Under My Skin , binding with bandages. Bandage Binding in Media You might think bandaging your chest flat is an ideal, consequence-free way to alleviate your dysphoria and otherwise affirm your gender. Nobody could really blame you for having that belief; films and shows continue to reinforce this false, dangerous myth, despite resistance from our communities. The truth is that binding with bandages is unsafe, difficult, painful, and potentially injurious. That is why misrepresentations of bandage binding are so important to criticise. Plus, not all trans men are slender, small-chested people who have someone to help us wind bandages around our ribcage. Bandage binding isn't just painful, it's impractical. In reality, a person binding with bandages is more likely to get this kind of outcome: James, a trans man in the 2013 film 52 Tuesdays , binding with bandages and duct tape. To my immense disappointment, genderfluid star Ruby Rose perpetuated the myth of easy bandage binding in her video Break Free , which has been watched over 55 million times. Her video, much like other media depictions of bandage binding, cuts from footage of her manually wrapping herself in bandages, to footage of bandages perfectly wrapped around her and neatly clipped down behind her back. Folks and fellas, believe me, she did not accomplish that by herself. She had a team of people to help wind the bandages around her, keep them straight and untwisted, and clip them down where she couldn't reach. I don't need to guess whether that was the case, because the behind-the-scenes footage proves as much: Ruby Rose being bound in bandages for the 2014 short film Break Free. Break Free gave, and is still giving, millions of people the impression that bandage binding is an easy, safe, and accessible way to flatten your chest. Trans men, questioning people, non-binary individuals, butch lesbians, cosplayers, and others are harmed by Rose's video, and by all media which depicts bandage binding in a similarly unrealistic way. Break Free is, therefore, a notable example of irresponsible media depicting chest binding unrealistically. Alexia/Adrien, a crossdressing woman in the 2021 film Titane, binding with bandages. Ironically, the most accurate depiction of bandage binding (in terms of how much pain it can cause) comes from Titane , a 2021 body horror film where a woman assumes the identity of a missing man in order to escape arrest. While it is not a trans film, I consider it valuable because it does not glorify, idealise, or promote bandage binding as an easy method of chest flattening. In that department, though it's a gruesome movie, I consider it less harmful than idealised depictions like Break Free . Nobody walks away from Titane thinking that bandage binding is safe or comfortable. A drag king being bound in duct tape, in the 2002 documentary Venus Boyz . Duct Tape Binding in Media Duct tape binding is even more dangerous than bandage binding, with a higher risk of serious or lasting symptoms. One of the most dangerous depictions of this practice occurs in Venus Boyz (2002), when a drag king is shown being tightly bound by another drag performer. Clearly in pain, the king admits that the binding is hurting his body, but this is not taken seriously by himself or by anybody else, and his group proceeds with the plans they'd scheduled, this king accompanying the group while wrapped in duct tape beneath his clothes. The Aggressives (2005) also features a performer being bound in duct tape, with the documentary's promotional material featuring that same king with a duct-taped chest. Such documentaries are crucially important to illustrate what our communities have been through, and how we used to bind, but modern-day media needs to set a safer example for vulnerable and dysphoric viewers. Disclaimers are the bare minimum, if binding practices like this are being depicted. Chevy, a trans man in the 2019 short documentary Girlz to MEN , revealing his duct tape chest binding. Chevy, a trans man in the short documentary Girlz to MEN (2019), revealed to interviewers that he binds with duct tape, believing that this harmful practice makes him more "real" than trans men who opt for less dangerous methods of chest flattening, or who do not bind at all. I found this very concerning, especially because viewers are not informed how debilitating duct tape binding is, and his interview is shown with no disclaimers. Trans men and gender-diverse people sharing their life experiences, and filmmakers not considering the safety of viewers when representing such experiences, is one thing. A whole other issue is the thoughtless misrepresentation of duct tape chest binding by cis-centric media. Lam Chi-wing being bound in duct tape, in the 1994 comedy film He's a Woman, She's a Man. 金枝玉葉 ( He's a Woman, She's a Man ) features a woman being bound in duct tape in order to crossdress as a man for the majority of the film. This is egregious, certainly, but that film came out in 1994, when knowledge about chest binding was far more limited than in the modern-day. The Assignment , released more than two decades later, is another matter entirely. Frank Kitchen, a cis man who transitioned unwillingly, binding his chest with duct tape in the 2016 film The Assignment. While much of the trans community's backlash focused on the movie's forced transition plot, its depictions of duct tape chest binding were what I found truly alarming. The director Walter Hill defended his film and insisted that he "wouldn't make a movie that hurt transgender people", adding, "some of them have had a tough time of it, and the last thing I want to do is make anyone's road harder". I would say that depicting duct tape chest binding is just about as harmful as you can get, and romanticising that practice could indeed make viewers' lives harder... to the point of injury and illness, no less. If Hill couldn't depict duct tape chest binding realistically, perhaps showing how harmful it is (à la Titane ), he shouldn't have introduced it into a pulp film where nothing is taken seriously. Vincent Lamarre in the 2018 documentary Ti-gars , putting on a chest binder. Modern Binders in Media Commercial chest binders are certainly a step up from bandages and duct tape, and I am always glad when a film, show, documentary, or another piece of media shows gender-diverse and gender non-conforming people flattening their chests in that safer way. That said, not all binders are made equal. Denny, a non-binary person in the 2023 film Under My Skin , using a clasp binder. In the film Under My Skin, the non-binary protagonist stops using bandages to bind their chest, and switches to a chest binder instead. This choice is not presented in the context of bandage binding being potentially painful and dangerous, and a viewer who is inexperienced with binding may not grasp that at all from this movie, instead assuming that the switch is a mere preference motivated by convenience rather than safety. And the binder itself looks very similar to the cheap, poorly-designed binders which are, at the time of writing, widely available on sites like Amazon. Many manufacturers who produce clasp binders offer, essentially, wrap-around binders which apply consistent pressure all around the ribcage (just like bandages or duct tape), with shoulder straps doing nothing to alleviate that pressure through structural support. The shoulder straps, in many clasp binders, are either for aesthetic purposes or intended to deceptively mimic the appearance of safer binders. Ari, a non-binary person in the 2021 film Make Me A King , using a wrap-around clasp binder without shoulder straps. Now, if a binder is designed as safely as possible (taut across the front, looser across the back, with shoulder straps that actually provide structural support), and clasps are just taking the place of seams on the side... that would be a safer binder design. But most clasp binders are very unsafe, making their appearances in media dangerous, where such appearances do not equip viewers to understand that a clasp binder should be viewed with suspicion unless manufacturers specify the safety of its design. In the case of films like Under My Skin, the safest approach to binding (if considering the example being set for viewers) would be to promote a binder without clasps, or to somehow note that the protagonist's safe clasp binder is an exception rather than the rule. Cris Salamanca, a young trans man in the 2012 documentary TRANS . Even "safe" binders can be worn unsafely. In TRANS (2012), for example, a trans man is shown putting on two chest binders in order to achieve a flatter chest. Double-binding effectively eliminates any safety measures by compressing the chest, back, and ribcage too much, meaning that there is no area of alleviated pressure. Tosiek, a teenage trans man in the 2023 film Fanfik , binding for the first time. Alternative Binding Methods in Media While I disliked Fanfik (2023), chiefly for filmmaking and writing reasons as opposed to issues with representation, I appreciated its depiction of chest binding. Tosiek, a trans man who is newly exploring his gender identity and has seemingly never bound his chest before, watches educational videos about open chest binding and tries that method, rather than using bandages. Filmmakers easily could have followed a long, long history of newly-exploring trans men and gender-diverse people wrapping themselves in bandages. Fanfik avoided that trope. I didn't like the movie, but I was thankful for that. A trans male weightlifter in the 2018 documentary Man Made . Open chest binding is a method of chest flattening where people use tape to pull their chest flatter and to the side, with the tape (importantly) not being wrapped around the back. The goal is to not use too much tape, and not to compress the tissue too much, meaning that some experimentation is required before people can figure out whether it is sustainable or comfortable for them. If it works for people, it has the advantage of not compressing the ribcage (unlike binders) and restricting movement far less. This method tends to work better for people who are smaller-chested, it absolutely doesn't work for everyone, and it is not risk-free. It can come with skin irritation and other symptoms. That said, I felt it was depicted well in Fanfik. I also liked the fact that the educational video Tosiek is watching is partly shown, emphasising to viewers that such videos are available, and there are many community members who have discovered what is safe and unsafe for them personally, encouraging people to seek out those insights. Finn, a trans man in the 2020 film Unsound , lifting weights while binding. Exertion While Binding in Media More research is needed to thoroughly explore the impacts of chest binding while exercising or exerting yourself. The research that does currently exist , however, shows that breathing is shallower while exercising in a binder, and that there is increased risk of other symptoms, such as pain. There is even research that improperly-sized sports bras can impact breathing ; this is not just a binding issue, but binding is notably more unsafe. Looser support or compression of the chest may alleviate or lessen breathing difficulties, and reduce the risk of other symptoms. The advice typically given to community members is to wear an appropriately-sized sports bra or a looser binder (for example, one size larger) while exercising. Dominic lifting weights in the 2018 documentary Man Made . While, again, more research and evidence is needed, one thing is for certain; media which depicts people exercising while binding, without any caveats or warnings, is potentially harming community members who may follow that example without realising the dangers. I was particularly disappointed that Man Made, a 2018 trans-directed documentary, showed footage of a trans man weightlifting in a binder, without a warning to viewers that this is potentially dangerous. Page last updated: 8 March 2026