Women's Health Debunks Transphobic Autogynephilia Theory

"Leading Women's Magazine Finds that Many Non-transgender Women are 'Autogynephiles'! Read all about it!!!"

Well, to be fair, Korin Miller does not say a word about the  "autogynephilia" theory in the recent piece "Here's What It Means To Be Autosexual, According To Experts."

But here's the thing: The "autogynephilia" theory – which says that many trans women  are suffering from some autoerotic perversion where they are attracted to themselves as women (looooong story) – requires that cis women never get turned on by the idea of being sexy.

Because if cis women feel this way, autoerotic fantasies in trans women can be seen as a confirmation of the gender identity and not an invalidation.

Feeling sexy

Sensible people have know for a long time that many cis women may feel sexy and like what they see in the mirror. Autoeroticism is part of human nature. 

But when Dr. Charles Moser pointed out that cis women had such fantasies, the transphobes did everything they could to discredit him.

<irony> Becaaaaaaause... well, cis women only get aroused by the bodies of men. It has to be that way, because if they got turned on by their own sexuality, they would not need men, and we cannot have that in a patriarchal society. 

And no, do not mention the lesbians. They do not fit the evolutionary theory about sex being for procreation only, either. Haven't you read the Old Testament, or evolutionary psychologists or Ray Blanchard? 

This is the same kind of men that once banned masturbation for being a sin or a perversion (or preferably both), so lesbians are no role models. And especially not trangender lesbians. </irony>

Being autosexual "means loving the skin you’re in"

Anyway, Korin Miller writes an article to help cis (and not explicitly trans) women handle "autosexuality," and if Women's Health finds that interesting, this must be a real phenomena, right?

A quote:

If you get turned on when you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror getting out of the shower or love a good solo sex session, there's a chance that you might be autosexual. Autosexuality isn’t new, per se, but the fact that it’s a sexual identity with a name is a pretty recent thing.

"Sexuality is so diverse that is important to have words to describe one’s experience," says Janet Brito, PhD, a clinical psychologist and sex therapist in Honolulu. "Sexuality is so subjective, and unique to the individual that it is best to be open to learning about how folks define their sexuality."

Despite finally having a name to go with those desires, since autosexuality's recognition is relatively new, it might be a bit confusing. “We live in a conflicting culture,” says sex therapist Jess O’Reilly, PhD, creator of the Sex with Dr. Jess podcast. “We’re supposed to like ourselves, but we’re judged when we admit that we like ourselves—sexually or otherwise.”

"Unfortunately, this sexual identity is also a little misunderstood," writes Miller. "And, as a result, even if you feel like you’re autosexual, you might not feel comfortable declaring it over mimosas at brunch."

Women in general have been taught how to keep quiet about their sexuality. They are not really supposed to have a sexuality, as such, only a deep desire to have babies and please their man. This is obviously also why it has been so easy for transphobes to use the sexual fantasies of trans women to invalidate them.

Let me add one thing, though: Most women experience a meaningful balance between loving others and loving themselves, and that applies to both trans and cis women.

See also: Kourtney Kardashian (really!) on "Autogynephilia" in Non-transgender Women

Photo: Moyo Studio