These Photographs Capture the Truths About Transmasculine Identities
Soraya Zaman’s portraits series is a beautiful and profound look into the daily lives of the transmasculine community.
Trans people suffer violence and discrimination (recently most odiously exemplified by President Trump's planned ban on trans troops). They also live rich, full lives. Photographer Soraya Zaman wanted to show the humanity and beauty of the transmasculine community; to show people as they are in their own skin.
Transmasculity does not necessarily mean that her subjects identify as trans men. Zaman explained, "Because transgender is an umbrella term, it can be imprecise and does not always describe specific identities and experiences. Transmasculine is a general, broader term for individuals who were (AFAB) Assigned Female at Birth but identify closer to the masculine (or male) side of the gender spectrum."
Zaman further explained, “The binary days and the antiquated stereotypes of what it means to be born a girl or boy, are finally coming undone. It is time we acknowledge the human race is more unique and special than these strict and simplistic ways of being which are not relevant to anyone.”
Zaman's work challenges the stereotypical ways in which society limits gender fluidity. Using social media as a tool to find her subjects, Zaman interviewed and photographed over 29 individuals ranging in age from 18-35. She traveled to 21 states to show the vast range in personal experiences within the transmasculine community.
Zaman compiled the portraits and detailed testimonies in a book, American Boys, which is now available for purchase.
This gallery includes original portraits and captions found in the book.
Meet Amari. Amari has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I’ve met. He’s a family man and gave birth to two of his kids before transitioning. It was of equal importance to him to have his own babies as it was to transition.
Aodhàn identifies as a trans man and also as “Two Spirit” within the Native American culture and comes from the Cherokee. He taught me that before colonization there was no labels for gender non-conforming indigenous people.
The term “Two Spirit” is an umbrella term for all the different words (120+ documented words), each tribe came up with when colonists asked, “What are they?”. Aodhàn believes that within Cherokee tribe “Two Spirit” means “It’s not about me” and his role is to help the people.
Often a two spirit person would take a vital role within the community because they where allowed to blend both the masculine and feminine roles in life, ceremony and art that are usually separate. He put it so beautifully. “Women are the moon and men are the sun, so the moon is feminine and the sun is masculine. The two spirit people are the sunrise and the sunset that brings these two together”. I love that.
Benson is an amazingly positive, generous and self-aware soul. His positivity shines through in his willingness to share his stories both good and challenging of his transition journey. Benson’s dad, who is also his birth parent, also transitioned. Both him and his dad are so happy in their skin now.
Caden is a beautiful and spiritual soul. He has an amazing calm way about him that shouldn’t be mistaken for shyness.
When I met Chase, they where humble, kind and a devoted loving parent to their kid.
But Chase is more than just a great dad, they are also one of those remarkable people who have decided that their life’s purpose is to make a difference in this world.
A Staff Attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Chase works in the LGBT and HIV project and focuses on trans related cases to seeks out justice for the trans community .
Do you remember the Chelsea Manning case where she came out at trans while under military custody? Or the trans student Gavin Grimm who was denied access to the boys restrooms at his school?
Chase was the lead council for Manning and a lawyer on the team suing on behalf of Grimm. They are fighting for trans rights from inside the legal system itself. A system that is currently chipping away at these rights across the country. Chase said to me: "It is the responsibility as a human being to build empathy for others. To situate yourself within a broader structure and to question things, to question why things are, to question whether something is equitable, to question whether there is justice and to have a role in building something better."
Chella is an artist, writer, story teller and role model to many in the trans, non binary and queer community. He’s also deaf, but in no way does this slow Chella down. In fact, to me it seems his deafness colors his world in a unique and special way. He has an attention to detail and thoughtful insight well beyond his years.
When we met, Chella was at the very start of his transition. He had a burgeoning excitement in anticipation of his journey ahead. Watching Chella thrive and shine into a confident, vocal and proud leader in the trans and gender queer community, since we shot together, is an amazing testament to his earnest character.
Meeting Dominic in person, I was struck by how quiet, shy and soft he is, in fact I ended up doing so much of the talking! But one thing that really stood out to me was his commitment to achieve his transition goals. He is doing it alone, from paying for his hormones to crowdsourcing funds for top surgery and he’s been going it alone since 16. This perseverance is so admirable, and I’m sure there are others who share his story. He spoke of the patience needed on a daily basis but also how everything is possible if you put your mind to it.
Elias is an intelligent, deep and introspective artist. When we met I was blown away by his beautiful articulation of his own understanding and questioning of the world. He’s also such a 90’s dream and we bonded over pure love for River Phoenix!
Elijah is a kind and compassionate quiet achiever. He grew up in South Texas within a Christian Baptist family. When he finally came out to his mother, she knew that their family might attack him with scripture claiming that being transgender is against God’s will. So they both studied the bible and found verses to debunk what they might throw at him. Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, nether salve nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”
Emmett is a transgender Mormon and a self-proclaimed rebel in his own way. Emmett has had to reconcile his faith in the Lord with his gender identity and the road has not been easy. The verdict is still out as to whether trans people will be accepted in the Church of Latter Day Saints. Yet Emmett lives every day as an active and devout member of the Church in full realization that on any one day, he might get ex-communicated.
More than being an active and vocal member, Emmett has been a vocal proponent for trans people within the Church. Indeed he was featured in a Vice documentary when he had his top surgery and openly discussed the risk of him being ex-communicated for having the surgery. At every step of the way, he is pushing the envelope within the Church so he can be a role model for others and show everyone that it is possible to be yourself and still have your faith.
From a small town in the south, I think Ethan is incredibly brave living visibly as a trans man in an environment where he stands alone. He does it with tenacity and a f*ck you attitude I can’t help but love.
Gabe was the first person I photographed for the American Boys Project. I was drawn to for his originality, earnest vulnerability and amazing style. His openness when we met and how he spoke about his journey of transition set the tone for this whole project. Thank you, Gabe.
When I hung out with Jaimie, who btw is an incredible musician, he spoke to me about his experience of back handed compliments. People saying to him, “Wow, you’re so hot… for a trans guy! Even I’d have sex with you!” like he should be especially honored these people find him attractive. Plus where is HIS consent in all of this.
He’s truly a Viking! Just look at that fiery red hair and beard. We shot on the mountains of Colorado Springs, where he was so at home amongst nature. Jei has come up against a lot of hardships, especially in his teen years. As a victim of violence, Jei spoke to me about hatred towards the trans community; this notion that trans people are in someway deceiving or tricking others and their perceptions and how often this can result in discrimination and violence.
The time is now to collectively change this narrative of trans-ness—to let people know that being trans, and in particular trans bodies, might not totally align with your expectations and that that is not threatening and it isn’t scary and it doesn't invade your privacy, or your sense of self.
Jimi is an empowered individual who is passionate about the equal rights of all people. He spoke to me at length about the acknowledgement of what it meant to be African American and Dominican and also coming out as trans man. He knew that being scared wasn’t the answer and he chooses to stand up and out as a proud trans man of color and live his truth regardless of race, gender, class, religious beliefs and anything else people use to divide.
When I met Justin he was at a number of beginnings. He was beginning his life after top surgery, which he had one week prior and was about to start college. Justin was excited to leave his school days behind where he lived under the radar, quiet and kept to himself, which really isn’t Justin at all.
He’s actually very funny and well spoken, self-confident and embracing leadership roles both as a member of the Quaker community and at the LGBTQ center of Richmond, where he established a people of color trans group.
He was ready to enter college as this proud and confident person and not the shy kid from school and hoped to be the future role model for young black trans kids, something that was missing for him as a kid and to show that being trans is an important identity but also doesn’t define you and your success.
Lazarus laughed with me about having basically been every letter in “LGBTQ” and now just wants to be identified as a unicorn. When I met Lazarus, they were in the middle of doing a thesis on #blacklivesmatter, focusing on the murders of black trans women.
Lazarus is looking to highlight the connections that have always existed between black and indigenous queers and how this connection has been a wellspring of incredible activism: “The black lives matter movement was started by three queer women, people always forget that, people always think it’s for men. The official platform is incredible, super trans and queer inclusive and yet cities only rise up when black men are killed and not when we lose our trans sisters.”
Lazarus’ thesis couldn’t come at a more important time.
Rory is a quintessential Californian with chill vibes, lives by the beach and rides his skateboard. When I met him, I admired his undeniable calm confidence and self assurance in who he is. He’s a 'take me as I am, or leave it' kind of person.
Rufio! What an amazing bundle of body building bear-like brilliance! Rufio is so full of life and spirit. He’s also a staunch feminist, especially with his experience of white male privilege that came with passing.
Russell is kind and sweet. He has a gentle way about him, although he told me that he hasn’t always been this way. Feeling dysphoria used to make him an emotional wreck, angry at the world and he would get triggered by small things and lash out.
There was a point though where he just kind of found more peace and got focused on bringing in positive things and how far he’s come, rather than thinking about how he maybe wasn’t where he wanted to be yet.
