I haven’t watched this on TV because my partner would rather poke his own eyes out than sit through a programme where ‘exhibitionist members of the public get their kit off’. I on the other hand was fascinated by the premise of this programme. I do think that many people are far too hung up about their bodies - and that unfortunately many of us can’t disassociate nudity from sex (I’m including myself here sometimes)
But I am also full of trepidation about everyone becoming SO obsessed with nudity and naked bodies and it allowing a desensitisation to situations where nudity is not appropriate and is in fact ‘exposure’. What’s the intent? It’s always my question.
Anyway I decided to watch Episode 3 on All4 which featured a woman who was very self-conscious of her breasts to the point of absolute self-disgust. And it also featured a young trans man (27) who had had their breasts surgically removed. And an older transman (40+) who had had a full phalloplasty. Finn, the older trans man has written extensively about the multiple surgeries they’ve been through - he published a book a few years ago. He didn’t have an easy ride and also now has issues of chronic fatigue which can floor him for days. Whether this is related to the battering his body has taken over the years, I don’t know. I’ve followed him on Instagram for years - he’s a lovely person and the fact that, despite the agonies he’s gone through with the surgeries, he would still do the same again, is testament to how awful his gender dysphasia must have been.
The younger transman showed us their scars and then Finn, very bravely I thought, showed himself totally naked. I must admit I was surprised at how good their penis looked. They explained how it functioned and could do everything a man’s penis could (apart from the sperm bit obviously) The younger transman was very impressed too and definitely wanted to think about having the procedure.
It was all done very sensitively and mention was made that Finn had had to have 6 surgeries over 3 years. But I still think there was an element of ‘glossing over’ exactly what Finn has gone through. Obviously Finn has ended up with the result they wanted, they have a loving partner, all is functioning on a physical level. They didn’t do a close up of Finn’s arm and the skin graft but it was made to sound quite straightforward.
Did anyone else watch it? My worry is that young dysphoric girls could watch that and think that it’s all a bit arduous but basically quite achievable to get a penis. I wish there had been a few more stats on how many people get this done, what the complication rate is etc… Just to balance things.
I hope we can discuss this without making it too personal to Finn - but I guess they have put themselves out there to be open to discussion. And the young transman too - I’m mindful that they’re going to get a heap of criticism too. But again, they’ve gone on national TV so must expect some debate around what they’ve done to themselves and intend to do.
I’m also aware that it is nigh on impossible to get this procedure done on the NHS in the UK. Many surgeons have stopped performing this procedure (phalloplasty) so any young person wanting it in the UK is probably going to have to go private and/or overseas)