Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Changes in the Sexual Orientation of Six Heterosexual Male-to-Female Transsexuals

  • Published:
Archives of Sexual Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Researchers traditionally have assumed that sex reassignment procedures do not change sexual orientation. Of 20 transsexuals of various types that were interviewed, 6 heterosexual male-to-female transsexual respondents reported that their sexual orientation had changed since transitioning from male to female. These respondents stated that before transitioning they had been sexually orientated towards females. After transitioning, these same respondents reported that they were sexually orientated towards males. Five of the six respondents reported having various sexual encounters with males since transitioning. The respondents explained the changes in their sexual orientation as part of their emerging female gender identities. Three of the respondents claimed that the use of female hormones played a role in changing their sexual orientation. It did not appear that the respondents' post-transitional sexual attractions towards males were similar to autogynephilic images and fantasies described by Blanchard (1991).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Bell, A. P., Weinberg, M. S., and Hammersmith, S. K. (1981). Sexual Preference: Its Development in Men and Women, Indiana University Press, Bloomington, IN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benjamin, H. (1966). The Transsexual Phenomenon, Julian, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard, R. (1985). Typology of male-to-female transsexualism. Arch. Sex. Behav. 14: 247–261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard, R. (1989). The classification and labeling of nonhomosexual gender dysphorias. Arch. Sex. Behav. 18: 315–334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard, R. (1991). Clinical observations and systematic studies of autogynephilia. J. Sex Marital Ther. 17: 235–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard, R., Clemmensen, L. H., and Steiner, B. W. (1987). Heterosexual and homosexual gender dysphoria. Arch. Sex. Behav. 16: 139–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen-Kettenis, P. T., and Gooren, L. J. G. (1992). The influence of hormone treatment on the psychological functioning of transsexuals. In Bockting, W. O., and Coleman, E. (eds.), Gender Dysphoria: Interdisciplinary Approaches in Clinical Management, Haworth, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diamond, M., and Sigmundson, K. (1997). Sex reassignment at birth: Long term review and clinical implications. Arch. Pediat. Adolescent Med. 151: 298–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Money, J. (1988). Gay, Straight, and In-Between: The Sexology of Erotic Orientation, Oxford University Press: New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Money, J., and Tucker, P. (1975). Sexual Signatures: On Being a Man or a Woman, Little, Brown, Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tully, B. (1992). Accounting For Transsexualism and Transhomosexuality, Whiting and Birch, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitam, F. L., and Mathy, R. M. (1986). Male Homosexuality in Four Societies: Brazil, Guatemala, the Philippines, and the United States, Praeger, New York

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Christopher T. Daskalos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Daskalos, C.T. Changes in the Sexual Orientation of Six Heterosexual Male-to-Female Transsexuals. Arch Sex Behav 27, 605–614 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018725201811

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018725201811

Search

Navigation