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Sexual orientation in transgender individuals: results from the longitudinal ENIGI study

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Abstract

Transgender people and their next-of-kin may request information on sexual orientation and preferred partners during hormonal affirming process. Although previous research on sexual orientation in transgender people is extensive, this literature may already be outdated and/or the methodology of studies assessing sexual orientation may fall short. This prospective cohort study was part of the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence (ENIGI). Gender role and preferred partner in sexual fantasies, sexual orientation and gender of current sexual partner were assessed at baseline (initiation of HT) and every follow-up visit. Data from 469 transgender women (TW) and 433 transgender men (TM) were analyzed cross-sectionally and prospectively. At baseline, more than half reported having no partner (35% of TW, 47% of TM). After 12 months, more than half reported having a partner (59% of TW, 56% of TM), with no changes between one and three years of HT. The majority of TM preferred a female partner, TW preferred male and female partners. The sexual identity of their partner matched their sexual orientation in >80%. Sexual orientation did not change over time. We did not observe associations with serum levels of sex steroids or gender-affirming surgery (chest or genital surgery). Sexual orientation did not change during hormonal transition and was not associated with sex steroids or surgery. Also, preferences matched the partner’s sexual identity. We do not assume that changing serum levels of sex steroids is directly associated with changes in partner choice. The number of people with a current partner increased, possibly due to the indirect effects of gender-affirming care.

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Fig. 1: Flowchart of the study population.
Fig. 2: Percentages for the frequency distributions for people’s selfdescribed sexual orientation (to whom they feel sexually attracted) in transgender women (left) and transgender men (right) at baseline and after the initiation of gender-affirming hormonal therapy, by study visit.
Fig. 3: Percentages for the frequency distributions for sexual identity of the current sexual partner in transgender women (left) and transgender men (right) at baseline and after the initiation of gender-affirming hormonal therapy, by study visit.
Fig. 4: Percentages for the frequency distributions for the preferred partner in sexual fantasies in transgender women (left) and transgender men (right) at baseline and after the initiation of gender-affirming hormonal therapy, by study visit.
Fig. 5: Percentages for the frequency distributions for the gender role in sexual fantasies in transgender women (left) and transgender men (right) at baseline and after the initiation of gender-affirming hormonal therapy, by study visit.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the people who contributed to the ENIGI study: Sarah Collet, Meltem Kiyar, Thomas Schreiner, Timo Nieder, Inga Becker, Yona Greenman, Chantal Wiepjes, Maartje Klaver, Christel De Blok, Nienke Nota, Carlotta Cocchetti, Koen Dreijerink, Daan Van Velzen, Dennis Van Dijk, Margot Morssinkhof, Elfi Conemans, Brand Coumou, and Iris de Nie. We also thank all endocrinology residents who made a valuable contribution to the ENIGI study: Greet Roef, Mirra Boer, Marijn Carpentier, Liesbeth Van Huffel, Sara Vandewalle, Loes Moernaut, Sabine Vermeersch, Gertjan Vereecke, Xavier-Philippe Aers, Charlotte Verroken, Emmanuelle Versele, Eva Van Caenegem, Katrien Wierckx, and Bram Vantomme for their outpatient care; Charlotte Bultynck, Charlotte Pas, Anne-Sophie De Maertelaere, and Kessewa Abosi-Appeadu for their help with the dataset; our study nurse Kaatje Toye for handling the extensive administration to the study, and all participants in the ENIGI study protocol.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, C. Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    J. Defreyne

  2. Center for Sexology and Gender, Ghent University Hospital, C. Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    E. Elaut

  3. Amsterdam University Medical Center, VUmc, Department of Endocrinology and Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    M. Den Heijer & B. Kreukels

  4. Andrology, Women’s Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    A. D. Fisher

  5. Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital and Center for Sexology and Gender, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    G. T’Sjoen

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  1. J. Defreyne
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Correspondence to J. Defreyne.

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Defreyne, J., Elaut, E., Den Heijer, M. et al. Sexual orientation in transgender individuals: results from the longitudinal ENIGI study. Int J Impot Res 33, 694–702 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-020-00402-7

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