By Stephen Whittle, FTM Network Co-ordinator

I transitioned 27 years ago and started living as Stephen, the man I was. Ever since I have been involved with the self help networks for Trans people. Several years ago, I was very concerned to hear of an F to M trans man (now a network member) who had had phalloplastic surgery (to create a penis) with a well known London surgeon. The result was so disappointing that he ended up in a psychiatric hospital for the first time in his life. I discovered that he had never known or met any other trans men before he had gone for this surgery.

It struck me at the time that this was a terrible state of affairs, and should never have happened. One of the ways forward was for as many as possible of us to keep in touch, and to pass information around which would be useful for others, and to make friends who were “like ourselves”. Hence the FTM Network. In that way we would hopefully prevent such tragedies happening again.

We believe that it is only by having as much knowledge as possible, that we can make real and considered choices about our own lives. The FTM Network aims to be non-judgmental about any member - there are many reasons why individuals live their lives in different ways, and surgery (or a penis) does not make a man.

We believe we have a right to good quality information and treatment from the medical profession, if we choose to take the route to gender reassignment.

I hope this explains a little about the FTM Network.

If you would like to be put in touch with someone - please ask. Members agree to befriend each other and in a while you may well also be asked to befriend someone in your area. Also if you have any other questions, we are here to help. We have members in many professions (e.g. I am a lawyer, other members are doctors etc. etc.), and we are willing to share our knowledge and experiences. If you join you will receive the regular newsletter: Boy’s Own.

Articles about any aspect of being FTM are always welcome for Boy’s Own. Why not write about your own experiences? If you are just starting out on the long road to transition, I would suggest that if you want to discuss the way forward with a doctor that you first discuss the matter with your GP, and ask for a referral to one of the centers where treatment can be provided. Up to date listings of these centers are included in the medical listings in the newsletter and on this web site.