Autogynephilia Kink: A Man’s Love for Himself as a Woman

Autogynephilia is About Being Infatuated with an Imaginary Version of Yourself

Dear reader, this week’s kink, autogynephilia, initially fascinated me. Imagine being a man and getting turned on by the thought or image of yourself as a woman. To me, it seems perfectly harmless and kinky. My mind immediately went to the myth about Narcissus going out to hunt one day. He went to get a drink, and as he bent down to drink the water, he saw himself and fell in love with his reflection.

However, as I started researching autogynephilia, I uncovered a few alarming facts. I’m honestly intrigued by how people connected this kink to gender dysphoria and being trans. So, in this post, we will cover all three concepts and discuss how autogynephilia is about being infatuated with an imaginary version of yourself. It has nothing to do with gender dysphoria. It is an autosexual orientation.

What is "autosexual orientation"?

@screenwriterlisi Autos**ual / Autos**uality♬ Mount Everest - Labrinth

Gender dysphoria is a feeling of discomfort or distress that happens when a person's gender identity, their internal sense of being male, female, or something else, doesn't match the sex they were assigned at birth. It can affect a person's mood and well-being.

As always, anything and everything I write is meant to inspire and educate and comes from a place of profound respect and curiosity about the world we live in and the people around us. As a queer woman, there is only so much I can understand about the trans experience or even how it feels to experience specific kinks that aren’t my cup of tea. I watched different people talk about their experiences and insights regarding autogynephilia, and that is what I’m sharing with you. Phil Illy, author of “Auto-Heterosexual: Attracted to Being the Other Sex,” explains that a person with a high degree of autogynephilia is more likely to require a cross-gender fantasy to be able to become interested in sex.

TikToker explains autogynephilia

@lilith_nightrose Reply to @hi_im_elli remember all those bad approaches to #psychology that became popular in the ‘60s? It’s that for #trans people #transandproud #queer #agp #explainer ♬ original sound - Lilith ️‍⚧️

This is different from the experience that many trans people report of having to imagine themselves in the gender they identify with to enjoy sex before transitioning. The “why” is different, but the “how” is the same. As far as sexual identity labels go, Phil Illy identifies as a transvestite, autogynophile, or auto-heterosexual.

Arielle Scarcella is a lesbian who speaks on LGBT culture, politics, and women’s issues and has controversial conversations on YouTube. She has also described a similar experience, which I can relate to. I have imagined or fantasized about having a penis when I’ve had sex with women. Arielle interprets this to be a sort of internalized misogynism, and I don’t necessarily disagree. This only highlights the natural gender fluidity queer people experience that is still unrelated to transgenderism.

Autogynephilia is a complex and often misunderstood kink that involves being sexually aroused by the idea of oneself as the opposite gender. While it may seem harmless and kinky on the surface, it has been linked to misconceptions about gender dysphoria and being transgender. It is essential to differentiate between autogynephilia, which is an autosexual orientation, and gender dysphoria, which is a genuine feeling of discomfort when one's gender identity does not align with one's assigned sex at birth.

Trans and autogynophile

@jonigeno Reply to @mjki4ed2 #transgender #transwoman #lgbtqi #riseup #loveyourself #strong ♬ original sound - Joni Genovesi

As we continue to explore and learn about different sexual identities and orientations, it is crucial to approach these topics with respect, curiosity, and an open mind. The experiences and insights shared by individuals such as Phil Illy and Arielle Scarcella offer valuable perspectives and shed light on the complexities of human sexuality. Let us strive to educate ourselves, challenge stereotypes, and create a more inclusive and understanding world for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

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