FTM Resources
These are a few resources we’ve found helpful. If you have one that you think should be here, please tell us.
(Many thanks to Scary-Monster for collecting these!)
Hudson’s FTM Resource Guide - This Guide is intended to provide information on topics of interest to female-to-male (FTM, F2M) trans men, and their friends and loved ones. Non-trans men have also found the pages on men’s grooming and clothing to be helpful. Transsexual, non-transsexual, intersex, transgender, genderqueer, questioning, and “just plain folks” are all welcome.
Underworks Concealer Tops - they don’t market their chest compression shirts as binders, but they work wonderfully as such. I have two that, despite being slightly too large for me and a bit stretched out, still hide my breasts decently. They’re nowhere near as expensive as T-Kingdom and don’t have velcro/zippers/etc to worry about giving out on you, irritating your skin, or obstructing your movement.
T-Kingdom - Breast binders! Binders that say they’re binders! Binders that say they’re sports bras! Prices are generally between $25 - $80 euro dollars, and shipping takes 10-15 days worldwide (I got mine in 9!) Their packaging is discreet. I don’t particularly like the velcro fasteners, because they’re a bit stiff and I worry about them losing strength, but that’s a personal preference.
The Transitional Male - fairly comprehensive informational site; very well organised with categories such as Resources (therapists, endocrinologists, surgeons, presenting tips, explanations of legal issues, etc;) Photo Galleries (Genital Reconstruction, Chest Reconstruction;) Gear, Toys, Binders, Dating (obvious;) and Miscellaneous (several charities and a survey/FAQs thing.)
Transgender Health Program - a project aimed at educating healthcare providers about trans issues in northwestern North America, based in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
FTM Garage Sale - looking for a packer? Binder? Guy clothes? Books on trans issues? Pressed for money? This LJ community is a really great place to look, though you’ll have to check back often. I’ve traded through here and the experience was great so, while it’s entirely user-driven, it does seem to be full of good folks.
TransPeopleSpeak - I AM: Trans People Speak is a multi-media campaign aimed at raising awareness about the diverse communities
of trans individuals, families, and allies.
First Jamie, Then James - the blog of a very well-spoken and thoughtful writer who happens to be a trans guy, and explores a lot of related issues.
Accepting Dad: Embracing Gender-Variant Youth - another blog, this one by the dad of a possibly genderqueer or transgendered middle-schooler. This dad is exceptionally empathic and down to earth, and his blog would probably be a great one to show to allies (or to explore if you’re an ally yourself, but so are all of these.)
Tool Shed Toys: Gender Expression - this particular page links to FTM equipment such as packers, stand-to-pee devices, harnesses, clit pumps and literature, but the whole site is great for many reasons. It’s a local shop (located in Milwaukee, WI, USA; money spent here goes directly into that community without migrating into various widely scattered CEO’s pockets,) and a portion of proceeds spent on the gender expression page go to Hudson’s FTM Resource Guide.
