What many transgender activists don't want you to know: And why you should know it anyway

J. Michael Bailey*, Kiira Triea

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Currently the predominant cultural understanding of male-to-female transsexualism is that all male-to-female (MtF) transsexuals are, essentially, women trapped in men's bodies. This understanding has little scientific basis, however, and is inconsistent with clinical observations. Ray Blanchard has shown that there are two distinct subtypes of MtF transsexuals. Members of one subtype, homosexual transsexuals, are best understood as a type of homosexual male. The other subtype, autogynephilic transsexuals, are motivated by the erotic desire to become women. The persistence of the predominant cultural understanding, while explicable, is damaging to science and to many transsexuals.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)521-534
Number of pages14
JournalPerspectives in biology and medicine
Volume50
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health Policy
  • Issues, ethics and legal aspects
  • History and Philosophy of Science

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