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Introduction: Stereotypes around sex and gender have played an important role in shaping experiences of discrimination and social injustice for trans individuals. In addition, trans identities have been historically associated with sexual deviance and pathology in the psychomedical literature. In the present study, we investigated stereotypes associated with trans people’s sexuality. Methods: We recruited 297 transmasculine and nonbinary individuals for an online study. In an open-ended question, participants were asked to describe stereotypes they have encountered regarding the sex lives of trans people they felt were inaccurate. Results: Thematic analysis revealed four overarching themes: (1) deviance; (2) discomfort with trans sexuality as stigmatizing; (3) stereotypes based on gender; and (4) absence of stereotyping. Conclusion: Results highlight the ways trans sexuality is exoticized. Findings also underscore that sexual stereotyping of trans individuals is, at times, based on assigned sex and, at other times, based on gender identity. Policy Implications: Stereotypes, particularly those related to sexuality, may seem harmless, but they can have far-reaching consequences on interpersonal relationships and societal systems. Challenging stereotypes in policies and social environments is crucial for promoting inclusivity and community welfare.

The Maryland Trans Survey is a community-based research project conducted by Trans Maryland and the Queer/Trans Collective for Research on Equity and Wellness examining experiences of trans people in the State of Maryland in areas such as health and healthcare, employment and economic wellbeing, and legal and policy experiences. To date, it is the largest survey of trans people in the State, with 750 trans people representing all 23 counties in Maryland and Baltimore City. Data were collected from May to December 2023 through in-person and online community outreach and the project was approved by the Towson University Institutional Review Board. This brief contains preliminary descriptive results from the project for advocates, policymakers, and community-serving entities to better understand and support the current needs of trans people in Maryland.

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.

Prior qualitative research has noted that gender dysphoria impacts sexual engagement and satisfaction for many trans masculine and nonbinary individuals. As such, the current cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the exact relations between distinct aspects of gender dysphoria (i.e., genital, chest, other secondary sex characteristics, and social) and engagement in, and enjoyment of, specific sexual acts. To achieve this aim, a sample of 141 trans masculine and nonbinary participants who were assigned female at birth and whom had not undertaken a medical transition were recruited. Participants were identified as trans masculine (n = 52), nonbinary (n = 72), and agender (n = 17). Participants completed a survey rating both body and social gender dysphoria and their engagement and enjoyment of receptive and performative roles across six partnered sex act domains (i.e., insertion, oral sex, sex toys, manual stimulation, nipple stimulation, and anal stimulation), as well as masturbation and noncoital activities. The overall results demonstrated that gender dysphoria is more salient to sexual acts that involve receiving versus providing sexual pleasure. In addition, genital and chest dysphoria were often significantly related to lower ratings of engagement and enjoyment. These results support the understanding that trans masculine and nonbinary individuals are likely negotiating sexual encounters to avoid sexual acts that involve areas of their body they find most distressing and marks an important area for future interventions and research.

The present study investigated the ways trans masculine and nonbinary individuals describe aspects of their sexual satisfaction. Sexual satisfaction refers to an individual's subjective evaluation of their sexual experiences, and is influenced by relational, contextual, and personal experiences. Prior research with sexual satisfaction among trans individuals utilized quantitative measures, restricting the ability for respondents to describe trans-related aspects. Further, the pervasive focus on the effects of medical transition on binary trans individuals' experiences in prior research limits our understanding of those who do not desire a medical transition or live outside of the gender binary. Participants represented a community sample of 358 trans masculine and nonbinary individuals who responded to the question: "In what ways are you satisfied with your sex life?" Thematic analysis revealed eight overarching themes that represented two categories: universal and trans-related. Discussion focuses on the ways in which clinicians and researchers can utilize the current findings to improve the sexual satisfaction of trans masculine and nonbinary individuals.

Despite the growing interest in the experiences of transgender individuals, the phenomenon of fetishization of transgender bodies and identities has been overlooked. The present study was aimed at investigating the experiences of fetishization of transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) people. Participants in the current study represent a sample of 142 TGNB volunteers from the community who answered the prompt: “If you feel comfortable, could you describe your experience of being fetishized?” Using thematic analysis, we developed three overarching themes relevant to the experiences of fetishization of TGNB participants: (1) context of fetishization; (2) negative experiences of fetishization; and (3) positive or ambiguous experiences of fetishization. The results demonstrated that, in most cases, fetishization was understood by TGNB people as a negative experience of sexual objectification, although some individuals experienced fetishization as a positive experience, perceiving the sexual desire of the other person or living it as a kink. Consistent with the integrated theory of dehumanization, the results demonstrated that both sexual objectification and minority stress contributed to participants’ understanding of fetishization for TGNB individuals. Implications for clinical work with TGNB individuals are discussed.

Science and medicine are littered with the images of men. Introduces an interdisciplinary course devoted to the subject of women, gender, and science issues. Discusses possible ways to encourage females to pursue careers in science. (Contains web resources.) (YDS)

Discusses challenges faced in teaching a curriculum based on multicultural theory: the large volume of scholarship on diversity, student resistance to diversity issues, and professor attitudes toward diversity. Presents a technique for meeting these challenges based on modeling appropriate diversity-sensitive behaviors that involves the use of language and course content to model respect for several forms of diversity. (EV)

The present study investigated the ways trans masculine and nonbinary individuals describe aspects of their sexual satisfaction. Sexual satisfaction refers to an individual’s subjective evaluation of their sexual experiences, and is influenced by relational, contextual, and personal experiences. Prior research with sexual satisfaction among trans individuals utilized quantitative measures, restricting the ability for respondents to describe trans-related aspects. Further, the pervasive focus on the effects of medical transition on binary trans individuals’ experiences in prior research limits our understanding of those who do not desire a medical transition or live outside of the gender binary. Participants represented a community sample of 358 trans masculine and nonbinary individuals who responded to the question: “In what ways are you satisfied with your sex life?” Thematic analysis revealed eight overarching themes that represented two categories: universal and trans-related. Discussion focuses on the ways in which clinicians and researchers can utilize the current findings to improve the sexual satisfaction of trans masculine and nonbinary individuals.