Transgender Man Leads ‘Men’s Health’ Cover Model Contest

Aydian Dowling of Eugene, Ore., is ripped. He has sharply defined muscles, piercing eyes and European-playboy-on-the-Riviera tousled hair.

It’s not just striking good looks that distinguish Dowling, who is leading the voting in the annual “Ultimate Guy” contest held by Men’s Health magazine. If he wins the contest (which is ultimately determined by judges), Dowling will be the first transgender man to appear on the cover of Men’s Health.

At the very least, he’s far and away the frontrunner for the “Reader’s Choice” award: as of Sunday night, he has more than four times as many votes as the runner-up.