“Autogynephilia”
(noun)
A term popularized by Ray Blanchard in the 1980s and 90s. “Autogynephilia” is the idea that trans women who aren’t exclusively attracted to men are instead attracted to “the idea of themselves as women.” This idea is both false and transmisogynistic. Prior to Blanchard, the idea that queer trans women aren’t trans for the “right reasons” existed within the medical framework of transgender experience, and was often used as a reason to gatekeep trans women’s access to transition-related care. Blanchard didn’t follow in that tradition. Instead he believed that any trans woman who would benefit from transition-related care should receive it. That said, his ideas around trans sexuality are extremely flawed and unscientific.
e.g. Janet chose a different therapist because the one she found talked about “autogynephilia” in their first session, so she knew they were likely going to be behind-the-times, if not outright bigoted.
Further reading to gain expanded context:
Autogynephilia, Ad Hoc Hypotheses, and Handwaving | Julia Serano
“Autogynephilia” & psychological sexualization of MtF transgenderism (video) | Julia Serano
Return to the Index.
English