In society, women are pressured to look thin and petite, even at the risk of their own health. In the case of trans-women, however, the pressure is all the more relentless. If a trans-woman wants to be taken seriously by society, then she must meet all the cruel and unhealthy demands to avoid being labeled a false transsexual. The author, being herself a trans-woman, has struggled greatly with her body image and anorexia, and in her conversations with local trans-friends, she has become all the more aware of the harsh realities.

First and foremost, when a non-op or pre-op transsexual wishes to begin transition, she is typically subjected to the overreaching scrutinies of a Gate Keeping therapist. Whilst some therapists have the trans-woman’s best interests at heart, the majority are paid to see she that she meets each and every stereotype. The list of stereotypes drags on and on, and with these, comes an unhealthy body image.

Second, when a non-op or pre-op trans-woman wishes to date, she commonly finds herself at the mercy of “tranny chasers.” As a trans-woman with personal experience, the author can say that they are not worth the time. These so-called “admirers” are the ones who constantly fetishize and hyper-sensationalize trans-women, and because of them, poor body images are reinforced. Time and time again, the author has been warned that she had “better be thin and petite, like a real woman,” and not to mention, “large breasts are a plus.” With that, the reader should be cringing. How on earth could could a person expect a thin and petite woman to have large breasts without the help of expensive surgery?

Third, the tranny porn industry does the transsexual community no service. Before continuing however, the author would like it known that she has no issue with porn. Instead, she sees it as something fun, that can be beneficially used for sexual satisfaction. With that said, however, there is nothing beneficial in dehumanization and exploitation. Type the word “transsexual” into any search engine and the individual will be hit with sex sites containing every stereotype known to womankind. The photographed women are thin, petite, most have large breasts and excessive surgery, etc. Not once has the author discovered a site celebrating the organic beauty of trans-women.

With the above said, it is no wonder that trans-women lack positive role models and suffer eating disorders. In the case of the author and many of her local friends, such experiences required extensive therapy. Anorexia is a disease, and hence, must not be encouraged. If the reader-or a friend of the reader-is experiencing an eating disorder, Sacramento’s River Rock Counseling can help. Experienced in the field of trans-issues, they can be contacted without the fear or worry of being turned away.