3 Reasons the Media Needs to Stop Focusing on the “Attractiveness” of Trans Men

journeyintomanhood:

Every few months now it seems as though some website publishes something about how hot some trans men are. While I strongly believe in the idea that trans is beautiful and trans people should be able to celebrate themselves I highly dislike these types of articles and would like them to stop. Here is why:

1. They always rely on shock value 

The underlying message of these types of articles are “can you believe that these men were once women” which is transphobic and invalidates trans men who were never women despite how the world perceived us. 

2. It reinforces cis curiousity about trans bodies 

Cis curiosity in trans bodies is nothing new. These types of articles reinforce the idea that trans people are merely something interesting to look at and not real people. 

3. It tells us we’re only valuable if we fit their idea of attractive 

There is very little representations of trans men out there. When the only representations we see are of one type of person being celebrated for how they look it feels like society doesn’t care about you if you don’t look like that. It sends the message that unless you are a white, in shape, conventionally attractive guy who “passes” then you don’t matter and won’t be celebrated.