This is something I thought about while reading that “despite a huge population with some level of sexual interest in trans people, it’s the rare person who discusses this interest openly”. Aside from the fact that there’s still a stigma attached to anyone whose sexual attractions are “different” it must be difficult for those who don’t want to be jerks who are attracted to transgender people to say so without sounding like or coming across as a jerk. The old line “gentlemen prefer blondes”, bland as it may seem, is objectifying, but admitting an attraction to transgender people becomes even more so. Because they are so often shunned some transgender people turn to sex work, which reduces them to sex objects and further pushes them to the periphery.
That’s why I’m glad this story came out, and that it’s being widely discussed, but I’d also like to see more. It’s one thing to hear from a guy who’s admitting his attraction, but I’d really like to see more mainstream media treatment of transgender people as people.
And with that I’ll shut up.
