Sexuality of Male-to-Female Transsexuals

Abstract

Blanchard’s (J Nerv Ment Dis 177:616–623, 1989) theory of autogynephilia suggests that male-to-female transsexuals can be categorized into different types based on their sexuality. Little previous research has compared the sexuality of male-to-female transsexuals to biological females. The present study examined 15 aspects of sexuality among a non-clinical sample of 234 transsexuals and 127 biological females, using either an online or a paper questionnaire. The results showed that, overall, transsexuals tended to place more importance on partner’s physical attractiveness and reported higher scores on Blanchard’s Core Autogynephilia Scale than biological females. In addition, transsexuals classified as autogynephilic scored significantly higher on Attraction to Feminine Males, Core Autogynephilia, Autogynephilic Interpersonal Fantasy, Fetishism, Preference for Younger Partners, Interest in Uncommitted Sex, Importance of Partner Physical Attractiveness, and Attraction to Transgender Fiction than other transsexuals and biological females. In accordance with Blanchard’s theory, autogynephilia measures were positively correlated to Sexual Attraction to Females among transsexuals. In contrast to Blanchard’s theory, however, those transsexuals classified as autogynephilic scored higher on average on Sexual Attraction to Males than those classified as non-autogynephilic, and no transsexuals classified as autogynephilic reported asexuality.

Appendix

Attraction to Male Physique Scale

• 1. I find certain aspects of the male body sexually appealing: “Not at all” (0), “Slightly” (1), “Moderately” (2), “Quite” (3), “Extremely” (4).

If participants answered “not at all” to question 1, then they do not answer the remainder of the scale.

• 2. I find a male’s face (e.g., eyes, smile) to be particularly sexually appealing: “Strongly agree” (6), “Agree” (5), “Tend to agree” (4), “Undecided” (3), “Tend to disagree” (2), “Disagree” (1), “Strongly disagree” (0).

• 3. I find a male’s body (e.g., chest, arms, genitalia) to be particularly sexually appealing: “Strongly agree” (6), “Agree” (5), “Tend to agree” (4), “Undecided” (3), “Tend to disagree” (2), “Disagree” (1), “Strongly disagree” (0).

• 4. The first thing I notice about when I meet a male that I am sexually attracted to is: “His face (e.g., eyes, smile)” (4), “His body (e.g., chest, arms)” (4), “The way that he seems to admire me” (0), “I am not sexually attracted to males” (0).

• 5. I am currently in (or would like to have) a long-term committed relationship with a male: “Strongly agree” (6), “Agree” (5), “Tend to agree” (4), “Undecided” (3), “Tend to disagree” (2), “Disagree” (1), “Strongly disagree” (0).

• 6. A male showing a sexual interest in me is something I find sexually arousing: “Strongly agree” (0), “Agree” (1), “Tend to agree” (2), “Undecided” (3), “Tend to disagree” (4), “Disagree” (5), “Strongly disagree” (6).

Attraction to Feminine Males Scale

All responses to questions scored: “Not at all” (0), “Slightly” (1), “Moderately” (2), “Quite” (3), “Extremely” (4).

• 1. I find feminine physical features are sexually attractive on males.

If participants answer “not at all” to question 1, then they do not answer the remainder of the scale.

• 2. I find long hair on males to be sexually attractive.

• 3. I find shaved legs to be sexually attractive on males.

• 4. I find it sexually attractive when a male wears articles of female clothing.

• 5. I find males who have a feminine figure to be sexually attractive.

• 6. I find males who have feminine mannerisms to be sexually attractive.

• 7. I find people who were born as males but have female breasts to be sexually attractive.

• 8. I find males who identify as feminine to be sexually attractive.

Attraction to Transgender Fiction Scale

All responses to questions scored: “Not at all sexually arousing” (0), “Slightly sexually arousing” (1), “Moderately sexually arousing” (2), “Very sexually arousing” (3), “Extremely sexually arousing” (4).

Please indicate how sexually arousing you would find the following types of stories.

• 1. A story in which an unruly boy as a form of punishment must dress as a girl or become a girl through other means.

• 2. A magic or science fiction themed story in which a male and a female character swap places.

• 3. A story in which the main character, a male, is caught either fully dressed as female or wearing female undergarments and must suffer or dress more as a result of being caught.

• 4. A story in which the main character is transformed into a female as the result of making a deal, part of a bet or accepting a dare.

• 5. A story that involves a general male-to-female cross-dressing theme.

• 6. A story that involves a female dominating a male or a woman who uses an authoritarian attitude.

• 7. A story in which by some magical means a male is transformed into a female.

• 8. A story in which a male has his mind altered by hypnosis or brainwashing to stop resisting feminizing changes forced on him.

• 9. A story in which the main character, a male, is physically forced or blackmailed to dress as a female, or be transformed into a female against their will.

• 10. A story that contain scenes where the main character, a male, gets their hair cut, rolled or colored into a feminine style either at home or in a hair salon.

• 11. A story that contains scenes where female hormones are administered to the main character either voluntarily or involuntarily.

• 12. A story that contain scenes where the main character, a male, wears very high heels.