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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Do transmen suffer from a form of autogynephilia or do they have 'genuine' gender dysphoria?

168 replies

GaIadriel · 26/05/2026 21:21

Not looking to stir things up although I do appreciate this may be a controversial question.

I've read so much about how transwomen are often motivated by sexual perversions etc, and my kneejerk reaction is that it's certainly feasible. However, when I think about transmen it becomes a little bit more ambiguous.

I'm not sure I buy the argument that it's to 'escape from the pressures of being a female' as is often claimed because male hierarchy seems much more brutal and unforgiving to my eyes and seems to punish the 'weak' to a much greater extent.

When a female presents as male and uses male facilities (as many successfully do due to passing much more easily than most TW) what is their motivation for doing this?

OP posts:
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6
Cheese55 · 27/05/2026 14:12

If a man dresses as a woman because of AGP, are they spending all day at work, going to supermarket etc in a permanent state of arousal?Does this not interfere with every day life?

ScrollingLeaves · 27/05/2026 13:53

Morecoffeewanted · 27/05/2026 13:25

The paper (I think i found the right one) was also written by a man.

They approached women at a hospital. Around 57 agreed to take part but only 29 returned the questionnaire.

I have not looked more closely at the questions but it's not even the number to reach a proper statisical analysis. A poor paper of doubtful value.

Men must try harder.

Also it is about females
feeling attractive as females, not females feeling attractive while imagining themselves as being the opposite sex (males). So it is not the equivalent.

Morecoffeewanted · 27/05/2026 13:25

MarieDeGournay · 27/05/2026 10:44

"In a study published in the Journal of Homosexuality, researchers created an autogynephilia scale for cisgender women. They found that under common definitions, the vast majority of women (over 90%) experience erotic arousal to the thought of themselves as a woman, as it is a natural part of feeling desirable, attractive, or feminine."

That immediately made me think of the song 'I enjoy being a girl'

I'm a girl and by me that's only great
I am proud that my silhouette is curvy
That I walk with a sweet and girlish gait
With my hips kind of swivelly and swervey:
I enjoy being a girl
...
I flip when a fellow sends me flowers
I drool over dresses made of lace
I talk on the telephone for hours
With a pound and a half of cream upon my face
..
I'm strictly a female female
And my future I hope will be
In the home of a brave and free male
Who'll enjoy being a guy, having a girl like me

Is that cisgender autogynephilia? 😁

[The words were written by a man, BTW]

The paper (I think i found the right one) was also written by a man.

They approached women at a hospital. Around 57 agreed to take part but only 29 returned the questionnaire.

I have not looked more closely at the questions but it's not even the number to reach a proper statisical analysis. A poor paper of doubtful value.

Men must try harder.

VimesandhisCardboardBoots · 27/05/2026 13:04

GaIadriel · 26/05/2026 22:43

Personally, I'd hate to be a bloke. Violence or at least the threat of it seems pretty much inescapable without conceding some amount of dignity for want of a better phrase. Yes, you can 'walk away' and many that do get the last laugh later in life or end up with a different type of power (financial etc).

But there's a reason almost every teen film has a fantasy about the nerd kicking the bully's arse. I'm not so sure it's social conditioning so much as evolution. I think even most non violent men would prefer to be able to handle themselves if it came to it.

I don't think that fantasy is about the violence, or power specifically though. It's about safety.

I've been sucker punched in the face twice in my life. Once when in University, and again a couple of years ago. In both cases it was just the one punch, and I broke my nose. In every other way the two experiences were very different for me though

The first time I was in no real position to defend myself, and it really shit me up for months afterward. I'd go over it again and again in the middle of the night. Despite the fact that I'd managed to get my attacker to run off (I'd somehow come back up off the floor with a half brick in my hand and lobbed it at him before my brain had even registered what was going on) I still spent nights replaying it, wondering what I could have done differently, fantasising about beating him up, getting him arrested. Even killing him sometimes. It wasn't about revenge though, or wanting to feel powerful. It was about not wanting to feel scared, of not wanting to get hurt again.

The second time it happened I was never in any danger. I'd gone from being a skinny beanpole to a bit of a unit. (Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fit man, think Greg Davies for reference. I'd be useless in a proper fight but I could probably overpower and then sit on most people these days.) Plus the guy who'd hit me was probably about 70. Yes he hurt me, but I wasn't in any real danger, and it didn't scare me. I was a little shook up for a couple of days and my nose was sore for a while, but I didn't relive it over and over again. There were no fantasies of beating him up.

You're right that even the most non-violent men wanting to be able to handle themselves, but it's not a "I want to be able to beat someone up" thing, it's a "I want to be sure that I won't get beaten up" I don't see walking away as the less desired option, or a "loss of dignity". Its the preferred outcome for me.

For what it's worth. I'd much rather be a bloke than a woman. Yes, there's a chance of random violence from strangers for no good reason. But I'd much rather that than have to deal with the shit women have to put up with on a daily basis. I can walk down a dark street at night. I can go round a potential partners house and not have to worry if I'll ever leave again. I don't have to worry about the dichotomy of the sex I'm attracted to also being the people most likely to do violence to me.

Violence isn't something I have to think about day to day. In fact, I can go weeks without it crossing my mind (ignoring all the beating people and shooting people going on on in TV show / films etc). Yes, every so often it intrudes into my life out of nowhere, but I don't have to worry about it day to day, not the way women do.

ScrollingLeaves · 27/05/2026 12:59

PercyPigsAreOverRated · 27/05/2026 12:17

I was going to ask the same. And isn't claiming that someone isn't really trans when they say they are transphobic?

If an anorexic says they are fat and you say they aren’t, you are not hating them.

Aisha176 · 27/05/2026 12:19

TriesNotToBeCynical · 27/05/2026 12:17

But correlation does not exclude causation; further evidence is necessary.

You could say the same for gay people…….

PercyPigsAreOverRated · 27/05/2026 12:17

Wearenotborg · 27/05/2026 11:52

What is the difference between a “true” transman and a “pretend” one?

I was going to ask the same. And isn't claiming that someone isn't really trans when they say they are transphobic?

TriesNotToBeCynical · 27/05/2026 12:17

Aisha176 · 27/05/2026 11:48

There's no causality for being a trans man proven in the CAS report. Correlation is not causation.

But correlation does not exclude causation; further evidence is necessary.

alliumursinum · 27/05/2026 12:08

Why are you misspelling Cass @Aisha176 ?

Wearenotborg · 27/05/2026 11:52

Aisha176 · 27/05/2026 08:53

None of those links work but in any case I get the point.

In the UK, evidence shows a significant crossover between youth who identify as trans and those who later identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual.

That's not what CAS review stated rather it highlighted that a notably high percentage of the young people presenting to gender services identified as homosexual or bisexual. The review noted that for many, their distress was deeply intertwined with their developing sexual orientation which isn't the same as saying their issues with sexual orientation was the cause of being trans.

LGB Alliance, point to data from young people who have desisted or detransitioned. This research suggests that a portion of teens who initially identified as trans ultimately reconcile with being gay or lesbian.

Short term transitory trans identification that's underpinned by sexual orientation issues hardly qualifies these individuals as being trans as I mentioned upthread. The context here is trans men not pretend ones.

What is the difference between a “true” transman and a “pretend” one?

Aisha176 · 27/05/2026 11:48

mrshoho · 27/05/2026 10:09

The majority of Transmen were young at transition. Unlike the majority of trans identified males The Cass review highlights this and shows they were pushed along the trans pathway when in a large number these young girls were gay. You say pretend trans but isn't that the case of the majority of transmen. The reason we campaign against including gender questioning in the ban on conversion therapy.

Apologies for the links, I didn't check them.

There's no causality for being a trans man proven in the CAS report. Correlation is not causation.

InveterateBigot · 27/05/2026 11:29

Please read fewer transphobic articles and start listening to trans voices instead.

I do think it's important to listen to trans voices. MaryCate Delvey is a good starting point.

MarieDeGournay · 27/05/2026 10:44

"In a study published in the Journal of Homosexuality, researchers created an autogynephilia scale for cisgender women. They found that under common definitions, the vast majority of women (over 90%) experience erotic arousal to the thought of themselves as a woman, as it is a natural part of feeling desirable, attractive, or feminine."

That immediately made me think of the song 'I enjoy being a girl'

I'm a girl and by me that's only great
I am proud that my silhouette is curvy
That I walk with a sweet and girlish gait
With my hips kind of swivelly and swervey:
I enjoy being a girl
...
I flip when a fellow sends me flowers
I drool over dresses made of lace
I talk on the telephone for hours
With a pound and a half of cream upon my face
..
I'm strictly a female female
And my future I hope will be
In the home of a brave and free male
Who'll enjoy being a guy, having a girl like me

Is that cisgender autogynephilia? 😁

[The words were written by a man, BTW]

MarieDeGournay · 27/05/2026 10:32

mrshoho · 27/05/2026 10:09

The majority of Transmen were young at transition. Unlike the majority of trans identified males The Cass review highlights this and shows they were pushed along the trans pathway when in a large number these young girls were gay. You say pretend trans but isn't that the case of the majority of transmen. The reason we campaign against including gender questioning in the ban on conversion therapy.

Apologies for the links, I didn't check them.

It's not so much that the links 'didn't work', mrshoho, the NHS and LBGA ones did actually link to the relevant websites, but came up 'page not found' which suggests that those particular pages have been removed for one reason or another, e.g. updating in view of recent developments?

mrshoho · 27/05/2026 10:09

Aisha176 · 27/05/2026 08:53

None of those links work but in any case I get the point.

In the UK, evidence shows a significant crossover between youth who identify as trans and those who later identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual.

That's not what CAS review stated rather it highlighted that a notably high percentage of the young people presenting to gender services identified as homosexual or bisexual. The review noted that for many, their distress was deeply intertwined with their developing sexual orientation which isn't the same as saying their issues with sexual orientation was the cause of being trans.

LGB Alliance, point to data from young people who have desisted or detransitioned. This research suggests that a portion of teens who initially identified as trans ultimately reconcile with being gay or lesbian.

Short term transitory trans identification that's underpinned by sexual orientation issues hardly qualifies these individuals as being trans as I mentioned upthread. The context here is trans men not pretend ones.

The majority of Transmen were young at transition. Unlike the majority of trans identified males The Cass review highlights this and shows they were pushed along the trans pathway when in a large number these young girls were gay. You say pretend trans but isn't that the case of the majority of transmen. The reason we campaign against including gender questioning in the ban on conversion therapy.

Apologies for the links, I didn't check them.

ScrollingLeaves · 27/05/2026 09:30

As I understand it, the problem can arise when a young person has a same sex orientation but they feel that is unacceptable and it goes underground, so to speak.

Aisha176 · 27/05/2026 08:53

mrshoho · 27/05/2026 08:30

In the UK, evidence shows a significant crossover between youth who identify as trans and those who later identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Major investigations, including the <a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&rct=j&url=www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/children-and-young-peoples-gender-services-implementing-the-cass-review-recommendations/&ved=2ahUKEwj3qb_m-NiUAxXOQkEAHVscHKYQy_kOegoIAggACAAIBRAB&opi=89978449&cd&psig=AOvVaw32nydT0fSO-yvzrl5rYaL2&ust=1779953274664000" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cass Review and data from former youth gender clinics, found that a high proportion of children referred for gender distress were same-sex attracted. 1, ]
Key pieces of evidence include:
The Cass Review: The landmark independent review of NHS youth gender services highlighted that a notably high percentage of the young people presenting to gender services identified as homosexual or bisexual. The review noted that for many, their distress was deeply intertwined with their developing sexual orientation.
Historical Clinic Data: Before their restructuring, UK gender services (such as the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust's GIDS) noted that a majority of the adolescent patients assessed were identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, raising concerns that some young people were confusing same-sex attraction with gender identity.
Detransitioner and LGB Advocacy Studies: UK-based research and advocacy groups, including <a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&rct=j&url=lgballiance.org.uk/lgb-alliance-response-to-the-final-report-from-the-cass-review/&ved=2ahUKEwj3qb_m-NiUAxXOQkEAHVscHKYQy_kOegoIAggACAAIChAE&opi=89978449&cd&psig=AOvVaw32nydT0fSO-yvzrl5rYaL2&ust=1779953274664000" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LGB Alliance, point to data from young people who have desisted or detransitioned. This research suggests that a portion of teens who initially identified as trans ultimately reconcile with being gay or lesbian.
Broader UK Survey Data: Reports from organizations working with LGBT youth, such as the <a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&rct=j&url=lgbtyouth.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Trans-Report-2024-digital-final-V2.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj3qb_m-NiUAxXOQkEAHVscHKYQy_kOegoIAggACAAIChAG&opi=89978449&cd&psig=AOvVaw32nydT0fSO-yvzrl5rYaL2&ust=1779953274664000" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LGBT Youth Scotland Life in Scotland Research, repeatedly highlight that gender-nonconforming youth frequently navigate overlapping identities, with high rates of same-sex attraction reported within the trans-identifying youth population. 1, 2, 3, ]
The <a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&rct=j&url=www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/&ved=2ahUKEwj3qb_m-NiUAxXOQkEAHVscHKYQy_kOegoIAggACAAIDRAC&opi=89978449&cd&psig=AOvVaw32nydT0fSO-yvzrl5rYaL2&ust=1779953274664000" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NHS acknowledges that gender identity and sexual orientation are separate, but clinical evidence from the UK indicates that they are highly interconnected during adolescent identity development. 1, 2]

Taken from Google search.

None of those links work but in any case I get the point.

In the UK, evidence shows a significant crossover between youth who identify as trans and those who later identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual.

That's not what CAS review stated rather it highlighted that a notably high percentage of the young people presenting to gender services identified as homosexual or bisexual. The review noted that for many, their distress was deeply intertwined with their developing sexual orientation which isn't the same as saying their issues with sexual orientation was the cause of being trans.

LGB Alliance, point to data from young people who have desisted or detransitioned. This research suggests that a portion of teens who initially identified as trans ultimately reconcile with being gay or lesbian.

Short term transitory trans identification that's underpinned by sexual orientation issues hardly qualifies these individuals as being trans as I mentioned upthread. The context here is trans men not pretend ones.

thisneedsanc · 27/05/2026 08:31

Aisha176 · 27/05/2026 08:15

A book isn't research. Can you link the research she bases her claims on?

A book can be research. Hannah's book contains meticulous inline citations, expert quotations and a full bibliography. That's why I linked the book. It isn't open access so you would need to acquire your own copy for a full list of citations. Most libraries should have a copy if you don't want to spend any money.

mrshoho · 27/05/2026 08:30

In the UK, evidence shows a significant crossover between youth who identify as trans and those who later identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Major investigations, including the <a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&rct=j&url=www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/children-and-young-peoples-gender-services-implementing-the-cass-review-recommendations/&ved=2ahUKEwj3qb_m-NiUAxXOQkEAHVscHKYQy_kOegoIAggACAAIBRAB&opi=89978449&cd&psig=AOvVaw32nydT0fSO-yvzrl5rYaL2&ust=1779953274664000" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cass Review and data from former youth gender clinics, found that a high proportion of children referred for gender distress were same-sex attracted. 1, ]
Key pieces of evidence include:
The Cass Review: The landmark independent review of NHS youth gender services highlighted that a notably high percentage of the young people presenting to gender services identified as homosexual or bisexual. The review noted that for many, their distress was deeply intertwined with their developing sexual orientation.
Historical Clinic Data: Before their restructuring, UK gender services (such as the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust's GIDS) noted that a majority of the adolescent patients assessed were identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, raising concerns that some young people were confusing same-sex attraction with gender identity.
Detransitioner and LGB Advocacy Studies: UK-based research and advocacy groups, including <a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&rct=j&url=lgballiance.org.uk/lgb-alliance-response-to-the-final-report-from-the-cass-review/&ved=2ahUKEwj3qb_m-NiUAxXOQkEAHVscHKYQy_kOegoIAggACAAIChAE&opi=89978449&cd&psig=AOvVaw32nydT0fSO-yvzrl5rYaL2&ust=1779953274664000" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LGB Alliance, point to data from young people who have desisted or detransitioned. This research suggests that a portion of teens who initially identified as trans ultimately reconcile with being gay or lesbian.
Broader UK Survey Data: Reports from organizations working with LGBT youth, such as the <a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&rct=j&url=lgbtyouth.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Trans-Report-2024-digital-final-V2.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj3qb_m-NiUAxXOQkEAHVscHKYQy_kOegoIAggACAAIChAG&opi=89978449&cd&psig=AOvVaw32nydT0fSO-yvzrl5rYaL2&ust=1779953274664000" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LGBT Youth Scotland Life in Scotland Research, repeatedly highlight that gender-nonconforming youth frequently navigate overlapping identities, with high rates of same-sex attraction reported within the trans-identifying youth population. 1, 2, 3, ]
The <a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&rct=j&url=www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/&ved=2ahUKEwj3qb_m-NiUAxXOQkEAHVscHKYQy_kOegoIAggACAAIDRAC&opi=89978449&cd&psig=AOvVaw32nydT0fSO-yvzrl5rYaL2&ust=1779953274664000" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NHS acknowledges that gender identity and sexual orientation are separate, but clinical evidence from the UK indicates that they are highly interconnected during adolescent identity development. 1, 2]

Taken from Google search.

Redirect Notice

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/children-and-young-peoples-gender-services-implementing-the-cass-review-recommendations/&ved=2ahUKEwj3qb_m-NiUAxXOQkEAHVscHKYQy_kOegoIAggACAAIBRAB&opi=89978449&cd&psig=AOvVaw32nydT0fSO-yvzrl5rYaL2&ust=1779953274664000

mrshoho · 27/05/2026 08:28

Aisha176 · 27/05/2026 08:15

A book isn't research. Can you link the research she bases her claims on?

It's all there in the Cass Review.

OpheliaWitchoftheWoods · 27/05/2026 08:24

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Aisha176 · 27/05/2026 08:15

thisneedsanc · 27/05/2026 08:11

It's in Hannah Barnes' book Time to Think https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_to_Think_(book)

A book isn't research. Can you link the research she bases her claims on?

thisneedsanc · 27/05/2026 08:11

Aisha176 · 27/05/2026 07:40

Could you quote the research that proves this?

It's in Hannah Barnes' book Time to Think https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_to_Think_(book)

Time to Think (book) - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_to_Think_(book)

VeganSteakAndFries · 27/05/2026 07:43

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 26/05/2026 22:20

some of them are lesbians struggling to deal with their sexuality. Some of them are sexual abuse survivors trying to run away from being a woman so it doesn’t happen again.

This. Also often neuro diversity making them feel like their body is “wrong”

Aisha176 · 27/05/2026 07:40

thisneedsanc · 27/05/2026 07:34

From Hannah Barnes' book it was obvious that children who identify as trans (both boys and girls) will overwhelmingly become gay or lesbian adults if they stop identifying as trans and/or they have experienced one or more adverse childhood experiences (including sexual abuse).

Perhaps the AAP women are the ones who go on to "fully transition" i.e. have a phalloplasty. As that seems pretty rare in women but would track with wanting to "become a man".

Could you quote the research that proves this?

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