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Dehumanization can be defined as the deprival of a person or group of positive human qualities. For the purposes of this poster, this definition will be extrapolated to include the themes of animalization and mechanization proposed by Nick Haslam.

Transgender individuals are dehumanized on every level, both in public and private sectors.

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Conclusion: Placed within the Framework of "Positive Sexuality is Humanizing"

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Conclusion: Placed within the Framework of "Positive Sexuality is Humanizing"

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When engaging in discussions of positive sexuality, it is important to broaden the lens and consider why individuals may go against what is on the face a non-controversial statement. Dehumanizing language and roleplay can be a healing experience through which one experiences their gender and sexuality.

As with all uses of BDSM and kink, it is important when engaging in this consensual dehumanization that there are clear boundaries and discussions to ensure that it is a healthy and safe practice for all involved as well as aftercare. There is a line between consensual and healthy dehumanization and negative dissociation from one’s physical self.

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Examples of Consensual Dehumanization in Kink

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Examples of Consensual Dehumanization in Kink

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-Engaging in animal like behaviors (Pet play)
-Engaging in non-human behaviors (Teratophilia)
-Dissociation from gendered language through degradation
-Overarching acts of Dehumanization

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Transgender individuals experience non-consensual sexual dehumanization, even those in T4T relationships.

This may look like playing into harmful stereotypes about transgender people, diminishing a transgender person's identity by focusing on their genitals, or fetishizing an individual because of their gender.

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1. Anzani, A., Lindley, L., Tognasso, G. et al. “Being Talked to Like I Was a Sex Toy, Like Being Transgender Was Simply for the Enjoyment of Someone Else”: Fetishization and Sexualization of Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals. Arch Sex Behav 50, 897–911 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-01935-8
2. Bauer, R. (2014). Queer BDSM intimacies: Critical consent and pushing boundaries. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.
3. Haslam, Nick. “Dehumanization: An Integrative Review.” Personality and Social Psychology Review, vol. 10, no. 3, Aug. 2006, pp. 252–264, doi:10.1207/s15327957pspr1003_4.
4. Muzacz, Arien K. “Expressions of Queer Intimacy: BDSM and Kink as Means of Self-Actualization.” Journal of Humanistic Psychology, June 2021, doi:10.1177/00221678211022638.

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"T4T" (transgender for transgender) is a movement of transgender individuals who prefer to only engage in romantic, sexual, and intimate relationships with other transgender people.

T4T relationships are vital to the exploration of these kinks, as both individuals understand and experience trans-specific dehumanization.

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On the Choice of Reclaiming Dehumanization

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On the Choice of Reclaiming Dehumanization

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It is important to note that not every transgender person will find consensual dehumanization healing, and reclamation is an individual choice.

Risk aware discussions of whether or not these forms of exploration are harmful or helpful to an individual are necessary when engaging in a sexual encounter.

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Relationship between BDSM, Kink, and Transgender Individuals 

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Relationship between BDSM, Kink, and Transgender Individuals 

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Themes emerging in current research indicate transgender and non-binary individuals are more likely to participate in and be open to relationships involving kink or power dynamics.

Kate Bornstein, transgender activist and performer explains this connection best: "Sadomasochism intersects with gender at the point of performance. We perform our identities, which include gender, and we perform our relationships, which include sex. Transgender is simply identity more consciously performed on the infrequently used playing field of gender. S/M is simply a relationship more consciously performed within the forbidden arena of power."