MR. ROBOT Season_4 // Aesthetics

My parents were born in Iran. They came here like everybody else, for freedom, but my dad works 60-hour weeks to determine tax loopholes for a millionaire art dealer. My mom, she ran up loans into 5 digits to get an online degree. They won’t shut up about how great America is, but they’re gonna die in debt doing things they never wanted to do.

Love this.

via myperfectmaze_ on twitter

Goodbye friend ) :

Any advice, or links to pages I can get advice, for things like tucking, and getting started trying to pass? I really appreciate any help you can give me! Hope to hear from you soon. Isabel-Lynn

Dear Isabel-Lynn:

Tucking:

To those of you who don’t know what tucking means, it basically means to hide the fact you have a ‘malehood’ as some call it. Some find it incredibly uncomfortable and others are completely okay with it. My recommendation is that you read here…

http://www.racked.com/2010/8/3/7792181/how-to-tuck-dolls-stepbystep-guide-to-packaging-and-panties

And -only- in the section predated by “in RuPaul’s book Lettin’ It All Hang Out she outlines the perfect tuck.” I’m not too much of a fan of the rest of the article given it feels kind of… Uncomfortably worded.

If tucking hurts, don’t do it. It’s not worth damaging your body.

Starting to pass- THE VOICE:

Voice training voice training voice training. I struggle with my voice because I am abhorrently tone deaf, however it is important that you start to try. There are many places to look or to try to look for voice training help, though professional voice trainers exist and I’ve heard miraculous things about them before. 

If you want to try it at home, there’s a wonderful reddit post. https://www.reddit.com/r/asktransgender/comments/1ske7b/mtf_voice_training_regimen/

You *may or may not be* comfortable with taking a voice recording program and playing back how you hear. While it can be uncomfortable it can also help you piece out what your issue is. Many DMAB [designated male @ birth] women struggle with their voice because they think pitch is everything. My biggest struggle is learning to not speak with my throat and chest, which causes the deeper ‘rumbly’ parts of your voice. Keep at it, hon, it’s something we all struggle with.

Starting to pass- THE LOOKS:

Find what works for you. I have found things that do work for me or don’t work for me whatsoever, for example eyeliner works great for me. For me, Target sells cheap but good makeup to get started with. It won’t cost you $100 for a single piece, but it’s still not cheap! Straightening my hair works great for me– get haircuts! Don’t be afraid to find androgynous ones if you feel safest not going straight to fully feminine. It’s totally understandable. 

Things that shape your face in ways you like are important. Scarves in the winter can help hide your adam’s apple if it’s prominent. Take care of your hands– use moisturizer, take care of your nails, the likes. 

Starting to pass- THE CLOTHES:

You’re a girl! Find clothes you like. Don’t be afraid to wear guy’s clothing if you want– it’s your choice– but I’ve personally found that it’s difficult to not frame my shoulders in an obvious way. I’ve seen some people recommend waist cinches (basically a corset) but I recommend being cautious about this. I don’t know the health risks. Below are two highly rated women’s waist cinches.

https://www.amazon.com/Flexees-Instant-Slimmer-Waistnipper-6868/dp/B0007UOLIK/ref=pd_sbs_a_17

https://www.amazon.com/Squeem-Magical-Lingerie-Shapewear-Compression/dp/B000QWA2GY/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1326843132&sr=1-1

Find colors and shapes that work for you. Frilled skirts can break some of the image.

OTHER THINGS- HORMONES

Hormones! If you’re a transgender woman, hormones are important. They do a lot for you. They make your body redistribute fat, soften the facial features, slim certain areas, (apparently they shrink your shoe size), reduce hair growth in certain locations (not the face), and in general soften the skin and hair. Try looking for local doctors regarding hormonal replacement therapy [HRT]. 

OTHER THINGS- SHAVING

Shaving your face is one of the important things. Sadly an obvious beard or shadow is a pretty good giveaway. If you’re going for guaranteed full-time, laser procedures (while requiring many visits) are able to almost permanently remove your facial hair. It can be somewhat painful and sensitive after (I’ve heard it be compared to having a rubber band be snapped against your face). 

OTHER THINGS- BE YOURSELF

Don’t ever, ever think that you can’t be yourself. Be the person that you want to see yourself be, don’t sacrifice interests or passions for the sake of trying to pass. If you like to skateboard, skateboard. Videogames– play them! Be yourself. Confidence is key and you won’t be confident if you forego every interst you’ve had that’s masculine. Love yourself and treat yourself like you are who you want to be– but don’t forget that you don’t have to leave everything behind.

I hope this helps you and everyone else on here that needs help, Isabel-Lynn. The future will be bright. While things may be scary now, there is always a light in the darkness to move towards. 

Lee says:

I’m copying the WPATH-SOC’s guidelines for medical transitioning here.

Puberty Blockers

Adolescents may be eligible for puberty suppressing hormones as soon as pubertal changes have begun. In order for adolescents and their parents to make an informed decision about pubertal delay, it is recommended that adolescents experience the onset of puberty to at least Tanner Stage 2.  

In order for adolescents to receive puberty suppressing hormones, the following minimum criteria must be met:

The adolescent has demonstrated a long-lasting and intense pattern of gender nonconformity or gender dysphoria (whether suppressed or expressed);

Gender dysphoria emerged or worsened with the onset of puberty;

Any co-existing psychological, medical, or social problems that could interfere with treatment (e.g., that may compromise treatment adherence) have been addressed, such that the adolescent’s situation and functioning are stable enough to start treatment;

The adolescent has given informed consent and, particularly when the adolescent has not reached the age of medical consent, the parents or other caretakers or guardians have consented to the treatment and are involved in supporting the adolescent throughout the treatment process.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (estrogen or testosterone)

The criteria you have to meet to start hormone therapy is as follows:

Persistent, well-documented gender dysphoria;

Capacity to make a fully informed decision and to consent for treatment;

Age of majority in a given country (if younger, follow the Standards of Care outlined in section VI);

If significant medical or mental health concerns are present, they must be reasonably well controlled.

The recommended content of the referral letter for feminizing/masculinizing hormone therapy is as follows:

The client’s general identifying characteristics;

Results of the client’s psychosocial assessment, including any diagnoses;

The duration of the referring health professional’s relationship with the client, including the type of evaluation and therapy or counseling to date;

An explanation that the criteria for hormone therapy have been met, and a brief description of the clinical rationale for supporting the client’s request for hormone therapy;

A statement about the fact that informed consent has been obtained from the patient;

A statement that the referring health professional is available for coordination of care and welcomes a phone call to establish this.

For providers working within a multidisciplinary specialty team, a letter may not be necessary, rather, the assessment and recommendation can be documented in the patient’s chart.

Chest Surgery

One referral from a qualified mental health professional is needed for breast/chest surgery 

e.g., mastectomy, chest reconstruction, or augmentation mammoplasty

Criteria for mastectomy and creation of a male chest in FtM patients:

Persistent, well-documented gender dysphoria;

Capacity to make a fully informed decision and to consent for treatment;

Age of majority in a given country (if younger, follow the SOC for children and adolescents);

If significant medical or mental health concerns are present, they must be reasonably well controlled.

Hormone therapy is not a pre-requisite.

Criteria for breast augmentation (implants/lipofilling) in MtF patients:

Persistent, well-documented gender dysphoria;

Capacity to make a fully informed decision and to consent for treatment;

Age of majority in a given country (if younger, follow the SOC for children and adolescents);

If significant medical or mental health concerns are present, they must be reasonably well controlled.

Although not an explicit criterion, it is recommended that MtF patients undergo feminizing hormone therapy (minimum 12 months) prior to breast augmentation surgery. The purpose is to maximize breast growth in order to obtain better surgical (aesthetic) results.

The recommended content of the referral letters for surgery is as follows:

The client’s general identifying characteristics

Results of the client’s psychosocial assessment, including any diagnoses;

The duration of the mental health professional’s relationship with the client, including the type of evaluation and therapy or counseling to date;

An explanation that the criteria for surgery have been met, and a brief description of the clinical rationale for supporting the patient’s request for surgery;

A statement about the fact that informed consent has been obtained from the patient;

A statement that the mental health professional is available for coordination of care and welcomes a phone call to establish this.

For providers working within a multidisciplinary specialty team, a letter may not be necessary, rather, the assessment and recommendation can be documented in the patient’s chart.

Genital Surgery

Two referrals – from qualified mental health professionals who have independently assessed the patient – are needed for genital surgery 

i.e., hysterectomy/salpingo-oophorectomy, orchiectomy, genital reconstructive surgeries

If the first referral is from the patient’s psychotherapist, the second referral should be from a person who has only had an evaluative role with the patient. 

Two separate letters, or one letter signed by both (e.g., if practicing within the same clinic) may be sent. 

Each referral letter, however, is expected to cover the same topics in the areas outlined below.

(Note: there’s an open letter to WPATH about genital surgery here you can sign, or reblog a link to it here)

Criteria for hysterectomy and ovariectomy in FtM patients and for orchiectomy in MtF patients:

Persistent, well documented gender dysphoria;

Capacity to make a fully informed decision and to consent for treatment;

Age of majority in a given country;

If significant medical or mental health concerns are present, they must be well controlled.

12 continuous months of hormone therapy as appropriate to the patient’s gender goals (unless the patient has a medical contraindication or is otherwise unable or unwilling to take hormones). The aim of hormone therapy prior to gonadectomy is primarily to introduce a period of reversible estrogen or testosterone suppression, before the patient undergoes irreversible surgical intervention.

These criteria do not apply to patients who are having these procedures for medical indications other than gender dysphoria.

Criteria for metoidioplasty or phalloplasty in FtM patients and for vaginoplasty in MtF patients:

Persistent, well documented gender dysphoria;

Capacity to make a fully informed decision and to consent for treatment;

Age of majority in a given country;

If significant medical or mental health concerns are present, they must be well controlled;

12 continuous months of hormone therapy as appropriate to the patient’s gender goals (unless the patient has a medical contraindication or is otherwise unable or unwilling to take hormones).

12 continuous months of living in a gender role that is congruent with their gender identity;

The recommended content of the referral letters for surgery is as follows:

The client’s general identifying characteristics

Results of the client’s psychosocial assessment, including any diagnoses;

The duration of the mental health professional’s relationship with the client, including the type of evaluation and therapy or counseling to date;

An explanation that the criteria for surgery have been met, and a brief description of the clinical rationale for supporting the patient’s request for surgery;

A statement about the fact that informed consent has been obtained from the patient;

A statement that the mental health professional is available for coordination of care and welcomes a phone call to establish this.

For providers working within a multidisciplinary specialty team, a letter may not be necessary, rather, the assessment and recommendation can be documented in the patient’s chart.

Transitioning While Mentally Ill

It’s possible to transition while struggling with mental illness. It can be harder , especially if you’re severely mentally ill or if you have stigmatized disorders like a schizo-spectrum diagnosis, but it isn’t impossible to do.

The WPATH guidelines say:

“Any co-existing psychological, medical, or social problems that could interfere with treatment (e.g., that may compromise treatment adherence) have been addressed, such that the adolescent’s situation and functioning are stable enough to start treatment"

The presence of co-existing mental health concerns does not necessarily preclude possible changes in gender role or access to feminizing/masculinizing hormones or surgery; rather, these concerns need to be optimally managed prior to or concurrent with treatment of gender dysphoria. In addition, clients should be assessed for their ability to provide educated and informed consent for medical treatments.

When patients with gender dysphoria are also diagnosed with severe psychiatric disorders and impaired reality testing (e.g., psychotic episodes, bipolar disorder, dissociative identity disorder, borderline personality disorder), an effort must be made to improve these conditions with psychotropic medications and/or psychotherapy before surgery is contemplated.

Reevaluation by a mental health professional qualified to assess and manage psychotic conditions should be conducted prior to surgery, describing the patient’s mental status and readiness for surgery. It is preferable that this mental health professional be familiar with the patient. No surgery should be performed while a patient is actively psychotic.”

VIDEO GAME CHALLENGE: Video Games [2/7]

↳ CONTROL (2019)

I'm still talking about this yeah but man. Of all the shows to have such a sweet, hopeful ending I didnt expect it to be mr robot with how dark the show is, but like. Both Elliot and Darlene get to live and heal. Elliot's DID is talked about, it's so beautifully touched on and never vilified. It never makes him the bad guy, and it doesn't end with his death. Its about how love, familial love, can be so strong that it can help you through the darkest times and I'm honestly still crying thinking about it.