For the first time, a transgender man could be on the cover of Men’s Health magazine.
Aydian Dowling is leading the pack in votes for the magazine’s “ultimate guy search” contest. He’s received more than 30,000 votes online, leaps ahead of the second place contender, who has less than 9,000 votes.
Dowling is a familiar name in the trans community — he is a motivational speaker and has a large following on social media. He has two YouTube channels; one dedicated to helping others going through a transition, and documenting his own, the other featuring health and exercise advice.
You can see Dowling’s remarkable transformation here.
The magazine, in asking for submissions, said its “judges are looking for a guy who is fit and fearless, a doer who gives back and leads by example.” The winner will appear on the cover of the magazine’s November 2015 issue.
Dowling, 27, lives in Eugene, Oregon with his wife, Jenilee. He told Men’s Health magazine he came out as a lesbian at the age of 16, and started dressing in masculine clothes when he was 21. He began hormone replacement therapy in 2009. The changes that came with the testosterone injections were surprising at first, but Dowling said, never seemed odd.
“It just felt like I had finally finished growing up,” Dowling said. “I simply grew up as a female, and transitioned to a male.”
He said being seen as a role model is flattering.
“I feel like I have people I look up to, so to think that people look up to me makes me want to be even better,” said Dowling.
Voting for the contest closes in July.
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