A trans man is taking over YouTube with informative and charming videos documenting his transition, answering questions on top and bottom surgery, and trying out cat toys. 

Jaime Raines, who goes by Jammidodger on YouTube, began documenting his transition in 2012 when he received hormone gel. Since then, he has continuously uploaded videos and gone on to inspire others with his quirky no hold barred style of approach.

Speaking to Independent in 2017, Raines said, “I don’t plan on stopping YouTube any time soon, so I plan on addressing topics that are perhaps harder, or less spoken about, in an approachable way. It’s so important to hear from a range of voices though, as no one’s journey is the same.”

Raines has previously taken a selfie of himself nearly every day before and after he started going on testosterone at the age of 18. As his journey progressed throughout the three years, the photos captured each moment. The images were compiled into a montage, which was then aired as part of a Channel 4 documentary in 2015.

As Raines explained to Buzzfeed, “I wanted something for me to document my transition. I thought I’d take a photo every day so when I strung it all together you could see the changes. Within the first six months you didn’t see that much but as time went on it became more and more rewarding.”

In 2017, Raines wrote and read a letter to his pre-transition self in an emotionally moving video. The message was an inspiring call to others who are going through the same, to show that no one is truly alone. He wrote, “The hardest thing is going to be accepting yourself. But with time – and seeing others out there going through the same thing – you’ll get there. One day, you’ll be really proud of who you are.”

Recent YouTube videos have focused on the topic of bottom surgery and what a trans man may not know about the procedure, including helpful sources of information in the description box. Speaking from his own experience, he talks openly about his own lack of knowledge going through with the surgery and what he knows now. 

This YouTuber continuously uses his platform to promote education and inclusivity through his own lived experience. In one video, he reveals the enormous pressure of waiting for a gender recognition cert while planning a wedding and the monumental relief of seeing himself finally acknowledged as a man. As Raines wrote to his younger self, “You’re not weird, you’re not a freak, you’re transgender. There is nothing wrong with you and you’re not alone.”