Overview

There are few topics in sex research as compelling and confounding to researchers, clinicians, and the general public as that of transsexualism. Upending normative notions of gender, eroticism, and identity, it poses significant scientific and clinical challenges. The book addresses a fascinating and largely unexplored topic within the study of transsexualism: The feelings and desires of conventionally masculine men who are attracted to women yet want to become women themselves. Through a collection and discussion of vivid first-person narratives, the book provides an in-depth examination of these men's unusual propensity to be sexually aroused by the thought of themselves as women and how these men's sexual feelings influence their decisions to seek or undergo sex reassignment. These narratives about autogynephilia by autogynephilic male-to-female (MtF) transsexuals provide the first comprehensive documentation of the erotic ideation that underlies the most common form of MtF transsexualism. The narratives provide empirical evidence for Blanchard's theory of MtF transsexual motivation, and thus are of interest to researchers and theorists studying the phenomenology of MtF transsexualism. The narratives are likely to be eye-opening to psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians, and other professionals who work with MtF transsexuals: Most clinicians probably do not fully appreciate the erotic underpinnings of their clients' condition. A better understanding of their clients' autogynephilic feelings and motivations would enable these professionals to provide more empathetic and effective clinical care.    

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9781461451815

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Reviews

In this highly informative book, Lawrence analyzes theory and research on autogynephilia and presents excerpts from a rich array of first-person narratives collected from autogynephilic individuals. ... Her prose is clear, crisp, precise, and facilitates understanding of a complex phenomenon. In sum, Lawrence has written a book that will be of great value to researchers, clinicians, lay people, and, perhaps most importantly of all, to people who experience autogynephilic feelings and desires. (Richard A. Lippa, Archives of Sexual Behavior, Vol. 44, 2015)

Anne Lawrence's Men Trapped in Men's Bodies: Narratives of Autogynephilic Transsexualism is directed toward transsexuals, transsexual researchers, sociologists, and others with an interest in human sexuality. The central tenets of the book are derived from Ray Blanchard's (1993) theory of autogynephilia... In the midst of one of the most serious controversies in the field of transsexualism, Lawrence stands with Blanchard's typology (which she identifies with) and presents dozens of narratives from other transsexuals that support Blanchard's theory of autogynephilia as a male paraphilia. The theory argues with certainty that there are only two types of transgendered individuals: individuals who are either effeminate gay men who change gender to make themselves sexually attractive to heterosexual men or heterosexual men who change gender so they can lust after their new female bodies. In the latter case, the desire and lust are paraphilic in origin. Leslie M. Lothstein PsycCRITIQUES August 28, 2013, Vol. 58, Release 35, Article 9 Men Trapped in Men's Bodies: Narratives of Autogynephilic Transsexualism is directed toward transsexuals, transsexual researchers, sociologists, and others with an interest in human sexuality. The central tenets of the book are derived from Ray Blanchard's (1993) theory of autogynephilia... In the midst of one of the most serious controversies in the field of transsexualism, Lawrence stands with Blanchard's typology (which she identifies with) and presents dozens of narratives from other transsexuals that support Blanchard's theory of autogynephilia as a male paraphilia. The theory argues with certainty that there are only two types of transgendered individuals: individuals who are either effeminate gay men who change gender to make themselves sexually attractive to heterosexual men or heterosexual men who change gender so they can lust after their new female bodies. In the latter case, the desire and lust are paraphilic in origin. Leslie M. Lothstein PsycCRITIQUES August 28, 2013, Vol. 58, Release 35, Article 9

Anne Lawrence's Men Trapped in Men's Bodies: Narratives of Autogynephilic Transsexualism is directed toward transsexuals, transsexual researchers, sociologists, and others with an interest in human sexuality. The central tenets of the book are derived from Ray Blanchard's (1993) theory of autogynephilia... In the midst of one of the most serious controversies in the field of transsexualism, Lawrence stands with Blanchard's typology (which she identifies with) and presents dozens of narratives from other transsexuals that support Blanchard's theory of autogynephilia as a male paraphilia. The theory argues with certainty that there are only two types of transgendered individuals: individuals who are either effeminate gay men who change gender to make themselves sexually attractive to heterosexual men or heterosexual men who change gender so they can lust after their new female bodies. In the latter case, the desire and lust are paraphilic in origin. Leslie M. Lothstein PsycCRITIQUES August 28, 2013, Vol. 58, Release 35, Article 9 Men Trapped in Men's Bodies: Narratives of Autogynephilic Transsexualism is directed toward transsexuals, transsexual researchers, sociologists, and others with an interest in human sexuality. The central tenets of the book are derived from Ray Blanchard's (1993) theory of autogynephilia... In the midst of one of the most serious controversies in the field of transsexualism, Lawrence stands with Blanchard's typology (which she identifies with) and presents dozens of narratives from other transsexuals that support Blanchard's theory of autogynephilia as a male paraphilia. The theory argues with certainty that there are only two types of transgendered individuals: individuals who are either effeminate gay men who change gender to make themselves sexually attractive to heterosexual men or heterosexual men who change gender so they can lust after their new female bodies. In the latter case, the desire and lust are paraphilic in origin. Leslie M. Lothstein PsycCRITIQUES August 28, 2013, Vol. 58, Release 35, Article 9 [Lawrence] meticulously describes the life experience of her subjects and expands upon Blanchard's typology. She imagines the arguments of her critics and rebuts them carefully and extensively. Lawrence is methodical, linear and logical, precise, and exhaustive... Lawrence also comes across in the book as open, ethical, kind, and genuinely caring about the fate of transgender people. (p. 71) Margaret Nichols, Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 40 (1), Jan. 2014 Anne Lawrence, in her recent book, Men Trapped in Men's Bodies: Narratives of Autogynephilic Transsexualism, attempts to enhance understanding of the nonhomosexual transsexual through a careful review of the research literature and a qualitative analysis of personal narratives of natal men who experience both gender dysphoria and autogynephilia. She is very successful in her effort. Her synthesis and critique of previous work is thorough and insightful, and her presentation of the experiences of such transgender individuals is rich and revealing. The book also serves as an excellent example of the value of qualitative, but empirically grounded, research. It is a scholarly and carefully reasoned exploration of a complex experience. (p. 73) [Note that the title, Men Trapped in Men's Bodies: Narratives of Autogynephilic Transsexualism, was set in italics in this review] Lawrence's book is a very important step forward in understanding why some men wish to become women. This book is necessary reading for anyone interested in the field of gender dysphoria and transgender experiences. Rather than reducing these feelings in men to a sexual deviance, it enriches our understanding of these transgender experiences. Clinicians and researchers alike will benefit. The book will also be valuable to men who seek to resolve their gender dysphoria. (p. 75) Richard A. Carroll, Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 40 (1), Jan. 2014 Researchers and educators will find Lawrence's book an extremely up-to-date, thorough, and helpful source of information on autogynephilia. Lawrence has not turned a blind eye to criticism of the theory, and she also discusses the studies that have produced results that seem to refute its central tenets... In addition, the narratives are rich with material that can be used to develop novel hypotheses for empirical testing. Lawrence makes an effort to point out informants' interesting or illuminating remarks that have potential to be explored. Clinicians will benefit from the narratives in the book by using what autogynephilic transsexuals and nontranssexual autogynephiles have to say about their experiences to help them understand and treat clients who may be in similar circumstances. The reports could be a useful reference to orient clinicians to the experiences of autogynephilic transsexuals, to help them understand particular issues related to autogynephilia that may arise in clinical practice, and to plan treatment. Individuals who recognize that they have autogynephilia, whether they are transsexual or nontranssexual, will find this book enlightening. Because the narratives were written by others like them, they will be able to relate to some of the experiences and validate their own. In fact, many of Lawrence's informants expressed relief or validation when they read about autogynephilia and other autogynephilic transsexuals' stories... In addition, many aspects of autogynephilic transsexualism are not reflected in the traditional and more widely circulated stories of homosexual transsexuals. By knowing that other MtF transsexuals share their experiences, autogynephilic readers may find the courage to seek professional help or to finally accept themselves as transsexuals and pursue SRS. Kevin J. Hsu, Journal of Sex Research

Author Information

Anne Lawrence is widely considered one of the foremost authorities on transsexualism, from both scholarly and clinical perspectives. The author of over 40 publications on the topic, Dr. Lawrence also serves on the Editorial Board of the Archives of Sexual Behavior and is Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta. In addition, she has amassed a wealth of direct clinical experience providing counseling and assessment for hundreds of individuals with gender identity and sexuality concerns. As both an MD and a Ph.D. in Sexology, Dr. Lawrence also brings a bio-psycho-social perspective to this complex topic. Importantly, the author is herself an autogynephilic male-to-female (MtF) transsexual and has personally experienced many of the same feelings and behaviors that her informants describe. That combination is rare indeed and augers well for a scholarly text fully infused with the lived experience of the only people who can directly attest to the phenomenology of autogynephilia - autogynephilic MtF transsexuals.

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