Madison Werner

Transgender Issues Expert

Madison Werner is a transgender, Jewish social media content creator based in Los Angeles, CA. She specializes in beauty, identity, and advocacy. Madison’s proudest achievement is becoming the first-ever transgender face of a CoverGirl beauty campaign. She is also a published writer in Elle, Glamour, and PopSugar. Madison received her bachelor's degree in Social and Cultural Analysis from New York University.

Education

  • Bachelor's, Social & Cultural Analysis, New York University

Favorite Piece of Advice

My favorite advice I've coined is "You have to play the game to change the game," which references the importance of strategically implementing change over time.

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Forum Comments (2)

I'm facing Transphobia. I also want ideas for clothing. Like beautifying them I guess. Masc of Fem :)🏳‍🌈 How do I explain to people clothes have no gender?
I’m not personally non-binary, but as a trans person, I would encourage you to take ownership of your identity when someone gets your pronouns wrong. You are worth maintaining your connections and friendships around you, and you want to make sure that the people you have around you care about you and want to get it right, but if they don’t, it’s totally ok to politely correct them.

When it comes to external disrespect from people who are intentionally disrespecting you, though, it’s really not worth your time. There are always going to be people out there who will disrespect anyone who is different from them, and they’re going to do it no matter what you say. If you feel they may just be uneducated and want to take it upon yourself to calmly explain, you’re welcome to do that, but a lot of people are not going to be changed. It’s actually more detrimental to yourself to continue being in spaces where you might be actively disrespected. And if it’s something that is happening in passing, just do your best to move on because it isn’t worth stewing over.
Looking for help with my transition
Depending on who you ask, some might say that dysphoria goes away eventually, while others say it just lessens over time. I’d recommend finding ways to cope and feel good in your skin in general. For myself as a trans woman, something that I work through often is dysphoria caused by going out of my comfort zone. I love going out of my comfort zone, but sometimes it can cause me to feel weird in my body or feel out of place.

What helps me when this happens, if I’m alone, is watching my favorite movies or scrolling on Pinterest. My favorite films help me because my favorite characters and the worlds that are in those films feel very much like me, and I can get lost in them and feel at home again. Music also helps me in a similar way. On Pinterest, I have a couple of different Pinterest boards. One is called “Me,” and one is called “Inspirations”. For the first one, when I’m scrolling, I’ll find things that just feel like me and add them to the board; and it can be really anything. The other isn’t things that feel like me necessarily, but inspiration for where I want to go. Looking through those boards can be a good reminder for me.

I think having a routine is very important too, because sometimes with dysphoria you can sit and stew in it and just feel terrible and now know what to do. So having a go-to routine, like going outside, grabbing a coffee, going for a drive, or hanging out with a friend – really simple things like that can help keep you from spiraling. And then the final thing I’ll add is, make sure you’re not adhering to what other people want or what other people’s transitions look like, because that can just cause more dysphoria. Comparison is the thief of joy, so just focus on what works for you and the goals you want for yourself. Break your goals into simple, doable next steps that can help you slowly reach where you want to go. And just know that in those moments of dysphoria, you're worth having a toolkit to help you.

Co-authored Articles (8)

How to Become a Woman: Male to Female Transition

What you need to know about an mtf transition You’re ready to finally step out into the world as a woman, and we’re here for it. Your transition from male to female may take years to complete, but you can achieve bi...

How to

Look Like a Woman

Transgender Issues Expert Madison Werner explains how to instantly feminize your lookWhether you're a trans woman, experimenting with drag, or simply want to add some feminine flair to your look, there are many reasons y...

How to

Transition from a Female to a Male (Transgender)

Transitioning from a female to male can be a truly gratifying experience. It’s also a lengthy and potentially complicated process. As you begin to transition, come out to friends and family as transgender. You’ll lik...

How to

Cope with Not Being Able to Transition

Transgender Issues Expert Madison Werner explains how to find joy in the little things when you can't transitionThere are various reasons you might not be able to use hormones and/or have surgeries at this stage of our l...

How to Come Out as Trans

Advice and resources from LGBTQ+ counselorsComing out as transgender can feel scary—you may be worried about how people will react, about how you'll feel, or about saying the "perfect thing." But the truth is, there's ...

How to Pick a New Name as a Trans Person

Transgender Issues Expert Madison Werner explains how to find inspiration for your new name Many transgender people choose a new name when they transition, and for many different reasons. Some want to distance themselves...

How to

Come to Terms with Being Transgender As a Teen

Transgender Issues Expert Madison Werner explains how to figure yourself out as a trans teenRealizing you’re transgender can bring on a lot of different emotions, ranging from relief to worry. You may have trouble acce...

How to

Respect a Transgender Person

If you have recently learned that a person in your life is transgender, you might not understand this part of their identity, and you may be concerned that you will say the wrong thing to them. You can start by respectin...