FTM Transgender on The Fosters

Transgender actor Tom Phelan

     The ABC Family show The Fosters is getting a lot of recognition for being a very progressive and representative show, especially of the LGBT community. The newest LGBT character is a female-to-male (FTM) transgender named Cole played by real life FTM transgender actor Tom Phelan. Cole lives in a group home for girls while waiting for a space in an LGBT group home. Being a FTM transgender in a girls home causes many problems for Cole, many of which are shown throughout the show.

BINDING

     In his first episode, Cole is shown binding his chest in the bathroom with an ace bandage. Because Cole lives in a group home, does not have a lot of money, and does not have the support of his parents for his transition, it makes sense for him to only have an ace bandage to bind with. However, I was upset that the show did not go into the risks of binding with an ace bandage. The actual binding was not talked about at all. It is very important for FTM transgenders to know and practice safe binding techniques in order to save their bodies permanent damage.

HORMONES

     Another problem that Cole runs into during his stay at the girls home is access to hormones. These hormones are necessary in order for a person to transition from female to male. Because Cole lacks his parents support and is under 18, he cannot get the hormones from the doctor so instead he gets them on the streets. He claims that they are the same hormones he would get from a doctor and that they are safe. Later in the episode he is rushed to the hospital from overdosing on testosterone.

     

     I was very happy that The Fosters showed what can happen when a person takes hormones without a doctor's supervision. It is very important for youths watching the show to understand that they cannot get hormones from just anyone and think that they will be fine. There are many side effects with these hormones so it is necessary that a transgender have a doctor prescribing and monitoring the hormones and their effect on the body.

Visit TYFA for more information for transgender youths and their families.