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Eugene resident Aydian Dowling could be the first transgender man to win a Men's Health competition. Dowling runs the YouTube channel ALionsFears. (YouTube)

Eugene resident Aydian Dowling is making headlines nationwide as potentially the first transgender man to be on the cover of Men's Health magazine.

Dowling is currently leading the magazine's nationwide The Ultimate Guy Search contest, which aims to find a man who represents "today's well rounded, active, health conscious and thoughtful guy," according to the contest page. Dowling has so far racked up 53,000 fan votes, nearly five times more than the contestant in second place.

The winner, ultimately chosen by judges, will be featured on the cover of the magazine's November 2015 issue as part of the prize package.

According to National Public Radio, Dowling will be the first transgender man to be featured on the cover if he wins the contest. Dowling spoke with NPR about how he's stayed physically fit and feedback he's gotten since entering the contest.

Dowling, 27, also spoke with the Huffington Post about the importance of transgender visibility, and told Today that the response from the competition has been humbling.

Dowling documented his transition on the YouTube channel ALionsFears and founded Point 5cc, a clothing company catered to the transgender community. He started the company in 2011 to raise money for top surgery, which removes breast tissue.

In a YouTube video posted April 17, Dowling talked about all the media attention and support he's received.

"It's been really awesome and crazy and I could not be happier," he said. "It's been phenomenal."

(Warning, explicit language)

The magazine's contest will run until June 21. Dowling could not be reached for further comment.

-- Laura Frazier

lfrazier@oregonian.com

503-294-4035

@frazier_laura