Photos from Facebook
Men's Health magazine is on the search for the "Ultimate Guy" to cover its November issue. Last year, Noah Galloway, a veteran who lost an arm and a leg to an IED, accrued the most votes in the online poll, winning the competition. This year, Aydian Dowling, the openly trans man whose photo imitation of Adam Levine's famous Cosmo UK nude photoshoot for FTM magazine went viral, is leading the polls by an incredible margin. Currently boasting almost 25,000 votes, the man in second place only has 8,500.
Dowling's lead is due in large part to a massive surge of support from the trans community and allies, something that has left him "completely in awe and humbled." If successful he will be the first trans man to cover a mainstream publication.
The "Ultimate Guy Search" aims to find a man who embodies the ideals of the magazine: someone who is fit and fearless, a doer who gives back and leads by example. Much more than a great body and beautiful face, Dowling has spent five years documented his transition via YouTube, he runs Point 5cc, a clothing company that helps support transition procedures, and has a webseries, Beefheads Fitness, which caters to a trans audience. Speaking with the Daily Beast, Dowling said of the possibility of winning the cover:
"To break those stereotypes, but still be a man. Feel pride in masculinity, but not putting down femininity. That would be so important to me."
So far, Dowling says he's encountered only support and positivity. Head over to the Men's Health website and cast your vote for this very deserving candidate.
