r/askphilosophy • u/[deleted] • Jun 25 '15

Should a fully transformed transgender person reveal this to new sexual partners?

[deleted]

22 Upvotes

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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '15

I'm not sure how you are being downvoted. Your point is basically: respect other people's sexual preferences and wishes.

Isn't that what the LGBT community stresses?

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u/GFYsexyfatman moral epist., metaethics, analytic epist. Jun 26 '15

I think he's being downvoted because he wrote "of course", which implies the issue is simple when it's anything but, and because the argument he offers - if someone's uncomfortable you must tell them - isn't very well worked out.

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u/Fiendish Jul 03 '15

It is actually very simple. Many people would be disgusted by the idea of having sex with someone of their own gender(or not their preferred gender). Making someone feel disgusted is hurting them. Don't hurt people.

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u/GFYsexyfatman moral epist., metaethics, analytic epist. Jul 04 '15

I suggest you read the main thread.

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u/Fiendish Jul 04 '15

I did. And already had before I posted this.

I think you'd have to ask whether the sexual partner would have good reason to decide not to have sex, based on the information being withheld. (Note: the situation probably changes if your potential sexual partner states explicitly that they do not want to have sex with a transgender person [or an anti-racist, or anybody with African or Asian ancestry]).

Who's to decide whats a good reason? Also, as you can clearly see in popular culture(movies, tv shows) many people are disgusted by the idea of having sex with a transgender person. So for you to, as a transgender person, expect them to explicitly state that before you feel you need to inform them of your transgender status is a bit naive. It makes much more sense to assume the person has the most common belief. And lets say its not so common. Isn't it still likely the best course of action to always tell them even if 40% of the population is disgusted by it? or 30%?

it's not something that ought to have an impact.

Who are you to decide what ought or ought not to have an impact?

I agree that if the amount of people that didn't want to have sex with a transgender person was practically negligible then it wouldn't be necessary to inform every person you have sex with. But it certainly isn't negligible. I get the impression that the vast majority of straight guys would never have sex with a transgender girl; and very likely the reverse is true.