So what is a “trans” and “gender nonconforming” identity? 

Each person will define it differently but as a general understanding it is a divergence from the assumed “inherent” female & male sex. These categories as we are learning are limited, do not allow room for fluidity, and erase a lot of folks who fall outside of the “biological norm” but because of our oppressive systems transness is “othered” from these categories and is defined as an identity outside of “biological” male and female.** 

** As discussed in the last article sex and gender are BOTH constructs. Read more here if you haven’t already! It’s an essential read to understand the following writings. 

Last week we talked about the lesson trans folks have graciously presented us: our autonomy to define, change, and be what we are & say we are. 

And how do some folks transform outside of these sex and gender binaries: With imagination, medical procedures, hormones, gender affirming clothing and accessories, and so much more! 

Think of human transformation like a changing landscape. We are the gardeners and planters of our paradise. Bodily changes are often discussed as either social or skeletal change, but for trans folks, it’s more. Change for us is a sensory revolution, a liberatory art project, and dedication to inviting folks into knowing us. 

Transness can be a direct start to creating our pleasure maps (and remember pleasure here is not only sexual). Our pleasure maps are a blueprinted landscape of our brain, body, nerve endings, and language of sensational experiences. The goal is never to achieve a perfect map, the goal is to normalize redrafting and feel the phases of rediscovery. There are clumsy phases, disappointing phases, angry phases, and phases full of joy to so much more than our current knowledge can define. In it all is the emphasis of removing the pressure to perform a way that was taught & is not in alignment with you. 

Okay okay, I hear you enough of the fruity wooowoo talk. You want to hear what people call the “science” part? 

Changing the landscape in “scientific” terms can be demonstrated medically through Gender Affirming Hormone therapy or surgeries. Like I said earlier, puberty is discussed as either a social or skeletal change but Hormones allow us to challenge that. 

Testosterone and Estrogen the two transformative babes that work together in EVERY body to regulate reproductive health, bone density, mood, and energy. Testosterone is primarily produced in the testes and ovaries/adrenal glands. That’s right, everyone, even you, have both hormones in you right now. These hormones are closely linked and in  processes like aromatization, some testosterone is actually converted into estrogen by the body. This means that the levels of one often influence the other.

Because the science part of this has a lot of research available already, i’m not gonna create the wheel but summarize instead: 

• Estrogen-based therapy: Typically taken via a skin patch, pill, gel or injection, this medicine blocks testosterone production and adds estrogen for breast growth and fat redistribution.
• Testosterone therapy: Typically administered via injection in the stomach or in the muscles of the glutes or thigh, this medicine adds testosterone.
• Hormone blockers: Drugs that block the body’s own testosterone production
• (source:https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/gender-affirming-hormone-therapy-gaht)

Here are several more eloquent resources for hormonal transition:

• https://transsocial.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Trans-Femme-Guide.pdf
• https://www.gendergp.com/blog/how-to-start-transitioning-starting-hrt/
• https://www.wussymag.com/all/a-trans-girls-guide-to-medically-transitioning
• https://www.genderconfirmation.com/ftm-transition/ 

Now that we got a full download of hormones, let’s talk about what we’ve all been waiting for; Trans Sex! 

So first thing is first, sex is a variety of things that bring pleasure & cannot be defined in one distinct way for all. For the purpose of this article we will be talking about sex as something that involves desire, libido, and pleasure. 

But with that we need to understand the difference between all three. If you kept up with last semester’s sex education you may have an inkling but as a reminder: 

• desire = controlled by the dual control model, in your brain, desire (responsive or spontaneous) is the WANT to experience pleasure 
• libido= response to hormonal changes and is a preliminary motivator for some folks
• pleasure= enjoyment of erotic (and erotic can be anything erotic to you) 

The reason for these distinctions is that hormones primarily affect libido! 

When using testosterone, one may experience a higher libido, more sensitivity with bottom growth, more localized sensations. 

Estrogen can sometimes create softening skin sensations leading to more sensitivity in larger areas, change lubrication, size of genitals(shrinkage), and erectile dysfunction.  

Both hormones can cause changes in the emotional experience (good, bad, or neutral), changes to recovery/ refractory time after orgasm, and orgasm sensations. 

Our brains need some time to adjust when in transition as it will be expecting old sensations/ activities to trigger old responses or outcomes. This can be frustrating but remember you are the gardener in your landscapes. You get to decide how to map & learn about the newness. You have all the time you need to learn your new map! 

Yes things will look, feel, and be stimulated differently, and that’s a GOOD THING! These aren’t side effects of your transition, it’s your evolution! 

Have you ever given yourself time to explore your body with different sensations? This week, spend 15 minutes in “sensory exploration” (solo). Notice where your skin feels most sensitive without the goal of an orgasm. Note it down and do it again in a few months. Chances are, it’ll be different with each exploratory journey.