Unpacking Blanchard's Autogynephilia Theory & How it Relates to Gender Dysphoria?
Dr. Z delivers a comprehensive analysis of Blanchard's autogynephilia theory—what it claims, why it's problematic, and why some trans people still identify with it. After 17 years working exclusively with trans adults, she shares crucial insights.
Blanchard's theory claims: Only two types of trans women exist—"homosexual transsexuals" (lifelong feminine traits, attracted to men, no sexual arousal from feminizing) and "autogynephilic transsexuals" (masculine traits, sexual arousal from imagining themselves as women, not attracted to men). He claims sexual orientation is the root cause of gender dysphoria and desire to transition—a sex-based theory rooted in paraphilia (mental disorder).
15 major problems: Deeply reductionistic (only two types), dismisses lesbian/bisexual/asexual trans women, rooted in paraphilia classification, negates feminine embodiment fantasies, heteronormative assumptions, invalidates feminine gay men who don't transition, testing issues, negates compensatory behaviors (joining military to "prove" masculinity), ignores repressed content, cannot be generalized, disregards context, no room for gender variability, contradictory accounts, deeply stigmatizing, implies sexual orientation causes gender identity.
Watch to find out why some trans people identify with the theory and what's actually happening.
