Transsexual Couples: A Qualitative Evaluation of Atypical Partner Preferences

The sexual and romantic lives of persons who have made a gender transition are an area that has not been widely discussed by professionals. This study will describe a phenomenon that appears to be occurring more frequently: the couple wherein both members are transsexuals. A review of the literature reveals that “transsexual couples” is a label typically used to describe the relationship between a transsexual and a non-transsexual partner. This article will describe couples wherein both members are transsexual. Twenty such couples (40 individuals) were evaluated and salient features of sexuality and love in these atypical couples are discussed. Three representative case studies are presented to illustrate some common elements of these unions. All the participants were psychotherapy clients, who had initially sought access to medical or surgical interventions. Demographic variables and behavioral observations are discussed. The therapeutic implications of intimacy in these couplings are also discussed.