User:Mjnorris98/FTM International

FTM International is an organization created by Lou Sullivan dedicated to the provision of resources for FTM individuals along with creating a visible community.

History
The organization that would come to be known as FTM International was founded by Lou Sullivan in San Francisco during December 1986. Unlike many similar organizations for MTF individuals, Sullivan's initial San Francisco chapter attracted sexually diverse individuals and avoided division based off sexual orientation. From August 18-20, 1995, FTM International hosted the first international all-FTM gender conference to be held in North America. The goal of this conference was to build community of FTM individuals and to shift the general public’s perceptions of what it is to be transgender as, at the time, the general public’s view of transgender individuals was typically that of MTF individuals. This conference hosted over 360 FTM individuals from the U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany, and Japan.

Starting in September of 1987, FTM International began to publish monthly newsletters providing resources for their members. In addition to these publications, FTM International also holds in-person meetings at their chapters based around the world. Countries that host FTM International chapters include the United States, China, France, India, Mexico, South Africa, and many others, while many other countries (including Canada, Iran, Russia, and the United Kingdom) will soon open FTM International chapters.

Services
Along with providing general education about and for FTM individuals, FTM International offers gender resources for FTM individuals (for example, information about clinics that provide support for gender dysphoria). FTM International’s website features profiles of FTM doctors who specialize in gender-related medicine. FTM International also provides its members with discounts at pharmacies for all prescription medications.

FTM International also provides legal resources for its members, financially sponsoring the Transgender Law Center. In partnering with FTM International, the Transgender Law Center sponsors the annual California Transgender Leadership Summit to provide FTM individuals with information on their legal rights.

Initiatives and Goals
The main goal of FTM International is to provide support for FTM individuals and their families and build a united FTM community. Their other main goals and activities include sponsoring local and regional chapters and communities, providing educational activities, and promoting of visibility of FTM individuals.

Publications

 * The FTM International Newsletter
 * The FTMI Yellow Pages Resource Directory
 * The FTM International CD: The Story of a Trans Man