I’m not really sure what to really do in this situation, so I’m trying to reframe it in my mind. So the butterfly shirt will now become my motivation:

TRANSCRIPT:

Panel 1:

Sam: (A person wearing a beige, collared shirt, and a bright blue vest, who is facing the viewer, but looking to the side. Eyebrows are raised and pushed together, eyes overflowing with tears, and mouth is open, with slightly downturned edges. One arm is bent up at the elbow, holding a phone to Sam’s ear.) The endo said I can’t go on T because my BMI is too high. I need to lose 9 kgs.

 

Panel 2:

Joe: (A small floating head with lowered eyebrows, which are pushed together. Mouth is open, with slightly downturned edges.) Darling! The BMI is a horrible, arbitrary weight indicator that is sustained by insurance companies to hike up their rates. It doesn’t take into account the diversity of body types, bone structures, muscle masses, or healthy lifestyles. It’s a completely flawed nonsensical way of looking at your health.

(At the bottom of the panel, are the words:) rant-sized panel

 

Panel 3:

Joe: (A small, floating head, with raised eyebrows, which are pushed together slightly, and an open mouth.) You’re awesome and beautiful, and I think it’s damaging that he would use your weight to control your wellbeing- surely triggering body issues is a really damaging practice? It just seems like it’s horrible gatekeeping. I mean they don’t tell cis men that they’ll give them testosterone blockers if they’re overweight. I’m sure you can just switch endos if you need.

(Below the panel are the words:) rant-sized panel

 

Panel 4:

Sam: (A person who is facing the viewer, but looking down. Eyebrows are raised and pushed together slightly, and mouth is open, with slightly downturned edges. One arm is bent up at the elbow, holding a phone to Sam’s ear.) I know, I know. But I DO miss wearing my favourite butterfly shirt. Maybe I could just lose enough to fit into that again. That’s almost as empowering as being on T, right?