Top surgery can signify freedom, but does this freedom come at a price? For this month’s Featured Voices, Devin explores what freedom means for our trans sisters in the wake of increased visibility as well as violence.
Imperfect Freedom
What is top surgery?
A rite a passage?
Liberation?
A weight lifted off your chest?
For trans-masculine folks, the answer varies. Since my top surgery in February 2013, I’ve associated this process with freedom. I’ve had the freedom to navigate the world openly as a trans person. I haven’t lost a significant amount of friends because of my surgery. While my mother was initially upset, she continues to love me as her child. Likewise, my brother loves me as I am. Many family members congratulate me on a regular basis. I haven’t felt ashamed of who I am, how I identify, or the process I’ve taken to get here. I haven’t had to go into hiding to protect my identity or my well-being. Although I’m aware threats may manifest, I don’t feel I need to worry significantly about them. Rarely do I think a stranger will attack me if I am read as trans.
I have the freedom to post pictures of myself topless on Instagram and am almost always applauded for my chest. If I were to judge by the amount of positive comments under my pictures, it seems my surgery and my transition are celebrated by trans and cis people alike.
This visible freedom pertains to thousands of other trans-masculine folks on social media. If you’re a frequent user of Instagram, it’s not very difficult to find countless trans men flaunting their chests. Post-op photos are plentiful and before/after photos are common.
We’re shirtless on the beach or at the pool. We’re wearing revealing tank tops at the gym. Our scars may lead to weird stares or offensive questions, but rarely do they trigger violence.
This is our freedom. But does this freedom come at a price?
Transitioning does not always equate to freedom.
While our top surgeries grant us the ability to exist freely, the plight of our trans sisters is drastically different. For most trans-feminine folks, the choice to live openly often positions them for their demise. While Laverne Cox, Janet Mock, and Caitlyn Jenner do live their truths, the ability to live freely as a trans women still carries with it an abundance of repercussions. Trans-feminine folks are victims not only of transphobia, but also misogyny. They are regarded lowly, and treated as such. As a consequence of this transmisogyny, a significant amount of trans-women take precautions for their own security. These provisions may include moving to a new city, creating an entirely new identity, and eliminating any connections to their previous lives. Some trans-feminine folks are abandoned by their family and friends. Some use extreme caution when posting to social media so as to avoid exposing themselves to potential dangers. When trans-feminine folks do post openly to social media, their bodies are scrutinized and subjected to vile comments.
In addition to the aforementioned dangers, women of trans experience are murdered at alarming rates. In 2015, over 20 Trans women were killed in the United States. In the month of January 2016 alone, over 40 women werekilled in the country of Brazil. Violence directed towards trans-feminine folk for being trans is an epidemic.
Much can be done to change this.
I am an avid believer in utilizing social media to promote visibility for trans-masculine folks. I too, celebrate top surgeries and topless photos of others. Nevertheless, we must use our freedom and our voices along with our newly found privileges to defend and uplift our sisters.
Visibility matters, especially in helping others better understand that transgender people are just that, people. For every topless photo we post, let’s accompany this with another photo informing others of the brutalities experienced by our sisters. We should bring about more awareness by posting the alarming rates at which trans women (especially black trans women) are murdered. And as trans-feminine folks are less likely to possess the financial means to pass or improve their own safety, perhaps we could do more do provide these resources. I am thankful for the copious amount of freedom bestowed upon me after my surgery, but if my sisters are still constrained for pursuing their happiness, my freedom is imperfect.
(Note: all people gave consent to have their personal photos published.)
Further reading
LGBT & HIV-Affected Hate Violence, A report from the NCAVP
About Devin-Norelle
Everybody is Featured Voices
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genderqueer.me 
Reblogged this on de frémancourt and commented:
Very important and comprehensive article that addresses how visibility and the process of self-affirmation, or, transition, does not always render life easier for trans people, especially for trans women, and even more crucially for trans women of colour. This is one of the most comprehensive pieces I have read on the intersectionalities of visibility, transitioning, self-affirmation, social stigma and resilience.
I have yet to take a good “finished product” photo of my chest. Let alone post it for my followers to check out. I’m thinking that it’s time to be brave and face the vulnerability and just do it. I think the surgeon did an amazing job on my chest and i am very happy with the results. Just shy about showing the work off. Perhaps that is because while I identify as Butch and trans masculine in nature, I am not identifying as ftm or transgender. Do you think that because I don’t ID as ftm that maybe I shouldn’t be going topless or showing off my nice chest? It’s a question I have wrestled with for a while now. I am a successful blogger and vlogger, and have many followers who are curious about it and would like to see the results. This is a great blog you’ve put together here. I’m glad I found it. Thanks. ~MB
As a 65 year old full-time Black women who’s trans, my visibility is, limited in many ways. Where I live, who my friends are, social gatherings and self-esteem. I chose an apt. where there are many families, in an upper middle class neighborhood. Having parking on-site, W/D, and clubhouse, gives me some security. Just this week, two more Black women, who’s trans were killed. I’m horrified. Ii thought it was bad being a Black male. Do plenty of research, chose carefully, and find areas where you can afford to live. That’s a big problem. It can cost significantly more to be safe where you live, as in my case.
Thank You for your courage to be yourself:-)