Being Talked to Like I Was a Sex Toy, Like Being Transgender Was Simply for the Enjoyment of Someone Else”

Fetishization and Sexualization of Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals

Dados Bibliográficos

ID8355693
AutoresAnnalisa Anzani (0000-0002-8755-6188, University of Milano-Bicocca, autor correspondente), Louis Lindley (0000-0003-1080-0813, University of Wisconsin System), Giacomo Tognasso (0000-0002-6108-4645, University of Milano-Bicocca), M Paz Galupo (0000-0002-7991-9970, Towson University), Antonio Prunas (0000-0001-8248-5555, University of Milano-Bicocca)
Ano2021
Volume50
Fascículo3
Páginas897-911
Data de publicação2021-04-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoArchives of Sexual Behavior (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0004-0002 • E-ISSN: 1573-2800
EditoraSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s10508-021-01935-8
PMID33763803
OpenAlexW3139179782
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas48
Referências citadas38

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

Developmental psychology · Gender dysphoria · Gender identity · Human sexuality · Psychoanalysis · Public health · Sexual behavior · Sexualization · Sociology · Transgender · Transgender Person · Gender Studies · Gender, Feminism, and Media · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Medicine · Psychology · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology · Social Psychology