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Transgender or non-binary (TGNB) people are often present as protagonists of pornographic material. This study is the first to consider TGNB people as critical consumers of sexually explicit material. The sample included 212 self-identified TGNB individuals: 47.2% trans man/transmasculine, 15.6% trans woman/transfeminine and 37.3% non-binary. The online questionnaire consisted of a sociodemographic data collection, multiple-choice questions about preferences and habits concerning pornography, and open-ended questions about the sensations experienced when watching pornography, opinions on the representation of TGNB people in pornography, and their experience in watching pornographic videos with cisgender or TGNB protagonists. The answers were analyzed using the qualitative method of thematic analysis. We identified four themes that appeared across the responses: 1) heteronormativity and cisnormativity in pornography: the need for deconstructing the current cis-het-patriarchial normative and binary system, which dominates pornography except for the ethical porn industry, 2) cisgender pornography compared to TGNB pornography, 3) pleasurable sensations (e.g., identification and empowerment) associated with TGNB pornography, and 4) negative sensations (e.g., objectification and dysphoria) associated with TGNB pornography. Results are discussed in light of the objectification framework and the minority stress model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have established the importance of body image self-consciousness in predicting sexual distress and dissatisfaction in women. However, there is a dearth of information analyzing whether the same relation applies to men. Sexual perfectionism is a sexual correlate that has shown diverse links with sexual-related outcomes. The aim of the present study was to determine the degree to which certain sexuality-related factors, such as body image self consciousness and sexual perfectionism, and certain personality traits, namely grandiose and vulnerable narcissistic traits, may be associated with sexual discomfort in men. An online survey including self-report measures of sexual correlates variables and narcissistic personality traits was administered to a sample of 212 men, who provided the data used to investigate these associations. We performed a stepwise regression analysis, including the sexual-specific variables in the first step and vulnerable and grandiose narcissism in the second step. Sexual distress was linked to vulnerable narcissistic features and body image self-consciousness, according to our research. The clinical implications of our findings emphasize the need of evaluating body image concerns and taking personality characteristics into account when addressing sexual difficulties in men. Sexuality is affected by variables that are related to sex, such as the discomfort with one's body in sexual contexts, or the expectations toward the sexual performance of the partner. We investigate the role these variables play in men's sex life, and we also consider the impact of narcissistic personality traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Past research has constructed a medicalized model of trans women's sexuality, where trans women are believed to be hyposexual and distressed by their bodies pre-transition, and are cured of their sexual dysfunction as a result of gender affirmative medical procedures. The current study engaged a community sample (N = 169) of trans feminine and nonbinary individuals assigned male at birth (TFNB) to investigate predictors of sexual experiences after addressing methodological biases of prior studies, including body satisfaction (using a modified Body Image Scale) and social contextual factors. Hierarchical regressions were conducted to test the hypothesis that after accounting for demographic variables and social contextual aspects (i.e., body satisfaction, social dysphoria, and fetishization), medical transition (i.e., hormone therapy) would not significantly predict five outcomes of sexual experience (i.e., receptive penetration, insertive penetration, importance of sex, sexual pleasure, and sexual intimacy). Across all models, medical transition was not a significant predictor of sexual experiences; however, sexual orientation, age, body satisfaction, and experiences of fetishization were frequent predictors. Results suggest that the sexual experiences of TFNB individuals do not align with the medicalized model and that demographic and contextual factors play an important role in the sexual outcomes for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study explores the effects of being in a relationship with a transgender or non-binary (TGNB) person on an individual's sexual and/or gender identity. To this aim, the responses of 107 partners of TGNB individuals to the following open-ended question were collected: "What effect, if any, has having a relationship with a transgender person had on your gender and/or sexual identity?." Through thematic analysis, 4 overarching themes emerged from the participants' responses: 1) No reason to change; 2) Exploration and changes; 3) New perspective; and 4) Negative effects and confusion. Overall, this study suggests that being in a relationship with a TGNB person may prompt a reflection on the concept of sexual and gender identity, and an exploration of one's own identity, which is usually experienced as positive, but may also be a source of distress for the individual and/or the couple. Also, in many other cases, the relationship has been observed to have no effect on the partner's identity, due to a number of reasons. These findings constitute a relevant addition to the understanding of couple's dynamics in trans-including couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisexual + people experience severe forms of structural stigma that are associated to negative mental health outcomes. In order to eradicate hate crimes against LGBTQIAPK + people, on the 4th of November 2020, the Italian deputy Alessandro Zan proposed a Bill entitled "Measures to prevent and combat discrimination and violence on grounds of sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability" (also known as "Zan Bill"). On October 27, 2021, the Italian Senate silenced the Bill. This study aimed to explore whether a worsening in mental health before and after the Zan Bill's rejection occurred among bisexual + people. Data from 299 Italian bisexual + people after the Zan Bill's rejection were compared with data on the same measures from 381 Italian bisexual + people before the Zan Bill's rejection. We observed a worsening in the levels of discrimination, anticipated and internalized binegativity, resilience, anxiety, and depression after the rejection of the Zan Bill. Outness remained unchanged in the two groups. Results suggested that the rejection of the Zan Bill has had a strong effect on the well-being of Italian bisexual + people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In present study the process of choosing a name in the transgender and non-binary (TGNB) community was investigated. A qualitative investigation with open-ended questions was conducted to achieve this goal. The total sample included 124 individuals (46 non-binary, 66 trans masculine, and 12 trans feminine). Seven overarching themes emerged from the reflective thematic analysis, which can be divided into two broad macro areas: 1) the process of deciding on a name; 2) identity values that the TGNB person's choice of name may have. The peculiarities of the Italian context and the ways they affect the process are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual imagery and fantasy are key aspects of human sexuality. They are associated with sexual arousal and response and are reflective of societal influences on sexuality. A limitation of the existing literature on sexual fantasies is the pervasive focus on cisgender heterosexual individuals, whose behavior is considered normative in a cis-heteronormative society. This research has established the strong influence of gendered sexual scripts on the functioning and content of (presumably) cisgender individuals' sexual fantasies. How these gendered scripts might apply to individuals whose gender identity falls outside the binary is an under-researched area of study. The present work is aimed at providing a better understanding of non-binary individuals' sexuality through a qualitative investigation of sexual fantasies in a matched sample of Italian non-binary and cisgender individuals. Participants included 44 adults, 22 of whom identified as non-binary, 13 as cisgender women, and 9 as cisgender men. Results indicated that the sexual fantasies of non-binary individuals were generally comparable to cisgender individuals but were significantly more likely to contain references to non-normative genitals, and less likely to refer to themselves as the object of desire. Discussion focuses on how the differences in non-binary individuals' sexual fantasies affirmed, or were the result of, their gender identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the study of transgender and non-binary (TGNB) individuals' romantic and sexual relationships. The present study explored, from TGNB people's partners' perspective, how the couple experiences sexuality and intimacy, the effects from gender dysphoria in these relational domains, and how dysphoria is managed. For this purpose, 99 partners of TGNB individuals were recruited for an online study. Participants were asked to answer the following open-ended questions: "In the intimacy and sexuality with your partner, are there any parts of your or your partner's body that are/were off-limits?" "How did you manage this before, during, and after transition?" The data were analyzed through thematic analysis, and four overarching themes emerged: 1) Positive Aspects of the Relationship; (2) Challenges; (3) Strategies to Manage Dysphoria; and (4) Expected Improvement through Access to Medical Affirmation. The results suggest that gender dysphoria is one of the main challenges in experiencing intimacy and sexuality, but TGNB individuals and their partners can rely on several relational and practical resources to navigate it and enjoy positive experiences with intimacy and sexuality. The findings provide valuable information about how TGNB individuals and their partners build healthy and fulfilling relationships, and they can help clinicians better understand both members' perspectives in these romantic couples in the context of couples' therapy and sexual counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]