Aydian Dowling is among the five
finalists competing to be this year's Ultimate Men's Health
Guy.
The 28-year-old Dowling is vying to be
the first transgender man to win the coveted title.
“I was biologically born female but I
identify as a male,” Dowling told Entertainment
Tonight.
“If I was the first transgender male
to land the cover of Men's Health, it would really be a
turning point for transgender people in the media today. They just
want to be their authentic self and have someone else say, 'You're
doing a good job,'” he added.
Dowling, who came out lesbian as a
teenager before identifying as transgender, has been documenting his
5-year transition on his YouTube
channel. He also hosts a
YoutTube fitness channel geared toward trans people.
Men's Health editors are
expected to announce their winner in early October.