Lesbian/Feminist Orientation Among Male-to-Female Transsexuals

Autobiographical case studies of two male-to-female transsexuals reveal a pattern of strong female identity couples with lesbian sexual-affectional preference and feminist value orientation. For both informants there is evidence of social concern and activism from an early age, which led them to perceive their gender dilemmas in a political as well as personal way. This case material challenge the notion that transsexuals are necessarily "sexualy Uncle Toms" and demonstrated that male-to-female transsexuals (like genetic women) can achieve an affirmative lesbian identity; it suggests more generally that the development of sexual identity is an ongoing, lifelong process.