In preparation for the 3/27/22 episode of my podcast Whore School, I was doing some research and came across a paraphilia I hadn’t really studied in depth before. I’d thought I’d do a nice light episode and feature two or three unusual fetishes, picked off the Wikipedia list of paraphilias. I mean, dendrophilia, right? Takes tree hugging to new, er, depths. But the very first link I clicked on changed my plans for the entire show, and taught me a whole new set of terms to help with describing an aspect of human sexuality! Autogynephilia is such an interesting term, and can be easily applied to any sissy who loves  feminine clothes. And I do mean ‘loves‘ feminine clothes.

A lot of sissies have described themselves as experiencing autogynephilia without realizing!

If you’re a sissy who gets an actual sexual kick out of wearing feminine clothes, behaving like a woman, or fantasizing about being a woman… Well, that’s pretty much the definition for the paraphilia autogynephilia! A person who feels sexual arousal when they think of themselves as a woman, engage in feminine behaviors, or wear feminine clothes is experiencing a typology first described by Dr. Blanchard in the 1980’s and1990’s! His research built on the work of other sexologists (yes, that’s a real career), and was centered around understanding the types of trans experience. Now, there’s a fair bit of controversy surrounding his work, so tread carefully and read up with all due care.

What’s the controversy around Dr. Blanchard’s work?

His work trying to define ‘types’ of trans persons in the late 20th century was firmly centered in the medical model of the time. Basically, the thought of the time was that there was ‘normal’ sexuality, and then ‘abnormal’ sexuality. Unfortunately, lay people took the word ‘abnormal’ and applied bias and assumptions to it, and instead of it being simply “not cis het sexuality” it became “deviant, abnormal, gross, and wrong sexuality.” The medical model largely supports and sustains transphobia, because it places trans-ness as a thing that is an illness. Let me be very clear here: in modern thought and understanding, being trans is not an illness, there’s nothing abnormal or ‘wrong’ about being trans, and there is no need whatsoever to try to “cure” a person of being trans.

So the controversy around autogynephilia is that trying to define ‘types’ of trans people medically contributes to medical bias and transphobia.

Ok, so, controversy aside, why is this term even still in use?

Same reason any term is still in use. It’s useful! It describes a state of being that a lot of people experience. As with all labels and categories for humans, sometimes just knowing that you’re not alone is incredibly helpful and uplifting. A person who experiences autogynephilia may or may not be trans. They may or may not be a sissy! They might engage in crossdressing, or tampon play, or wearing makeup because it turns them on. They may enjoy dressing  up and doing housework, and get a sexual charge from those things. Or maybe it’s all a mental fantasy with no real world physical elements. The range of expression is huge! But the common element is a self reported feeling of sexual arousal based in thinking of oneself as female, dressing as female, or acting as female. It’s the sexual arousal that sets this one apart!

Whore School is adult sex education

You can stream the episode on Autogynephilia on demand or download it to your device to listen to later. Whore School airs every Sunday evening from 11 pm Eastern to midnight (8 pm to 9 pm for Pacific coast folks). You can join the chat for the live show, if you’re into the interactive part of the experience. There’s also the Whore School Discord, where we share memes and chat about sex ed topics. Ask questions, get guidance, and hang out with other fans of the show.

Listen to “WS 295 Autogynephilia” on Spreaker.

Do you experience autogynephilia?

Your use of the word to describe yourself is totally up to YOU. Like all labels, only you can apply it to yourself with any meaningfulness. If it works, great, if it doesn’t apply, that’s cool too. But, if you do see yourself reflected in the description, just know that you’re not alone in the world, and there’s nothing wrong with you for experiencing this sort of arousal! While previous years may have tried to use the types of arousal we experience to label us as deviant and wrong, we know a whole lot better now, and can reject the medicalized view of human sexuality in order to embrace the wide and wonderful range of sexual expression we’re all capable of!

If you see yourself in the line “sissy loves feminine clothes”, I want you to know you’re perfect just as you are.

You can always call or email me to arrange a session to discuss your intense sexual feelings for feminine clothes, behavior, and more! After all, while solo sex can be a lot of fun, it’s also a lot of fun to share your fantasies and dreams with someone who understands and accepts all of you. And sissy, crossdresser, transvestite, or trans woman, you can bring your whole self to the session with me, I promise.

Your Sex Educator Mistress, Harper