The Sexual Habitus of Transgender Men: Negotiating Sexuality Through Gender

Abstract

In this article, the authors consider how trans men's decisions about physical body modifications impact their sense of themselves as gendered and sexual actors. Based on interviews with 74 trans men, the authors explore how their embodiment, gender identity, erotic ideation, lifetime of sexual practices, and domain of potential partners-what the authors term "sexual habitus"-can be affirmed, transformed, or challenged as their embodiment changes. These changes underscore the dynamic relationship between gender and sexuality and illustrate how bodies matter in sexual trajectories across the life course.

Sexual Experiences of Young Transgender Persons During and After Gender-Affirmative Treatment

“…Sexual intercourse is thus only possible by using prostheses, and these experiences might not have been reported as intercourse. 32 The current study had some limitations. First, the data on sexuality during GAT (before surgery) were collected retrospectively.…”

“…Apparently, this increase in passive types of sexual activities can only be partially explained by the surgical alleviation of genital aversion, a key symptom of gender dysphoria. 19,32 This highlights that body satisfaction is not only confined to the genital area. 37,38 Second, psychological well-being, a vital factor in the sexual behavior and feelings of transgender people 9 and the general population, 39 improves steadily during early GAT.…”

“…[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] The authors of a qualitative study in transgender adults describing the subjective experience of sexuality during gender transition reported ambivalent outcomes as well. 32 Thus far, there has been no investigation of sexual development during and after early affirming medical treatment in transgender adolescents. In the current study, we aim to describe the sexual and romantic experiences of young transgender adults during and after GAT, comparing these experiences with those of general population peers while examining gender differences.…”

Queering Menstruation: Trans and Non‐Binary Identity and Body Politics

“…Given the pervasive nature of the gender/sex binary in all aspects of social interactions, people who do not conform to the binary face obstacles to participation in normative social spheres (Connell ; Davis ; Schilt and Windsor ; Sumereau ). Due to the deep history and presumed “naturalness” of the gender/sex binary, non‐normative bodies are marginalized for their state of “otherness.” Therefore, trans identity maintenance through external gender/sex appearance and behaviors is often a survival mechanism in interactions with friends, family, strangers, and doctors (Johnson ; Rubin ; Stein ).…”

Trans men’s stealth aesthetics: navigating penile prosthetics and ‘gender fraud’

“…To counteract this discomfort, some trans people seek better alignment through hormone intake and/or surgery. The physical effects of such medical interventions can positively effect what Schilt and Windsor (2014: 733) term ‘sexual habitus to elucidate the relationship between embodiment, gender identity, erotic desires, and sexual repertoires and practices’. Throughout life, a person develops their own way of engaging in sexual activity, pleasure, and relations, and this is affected by bodily changes (p. 736).…”