I have an honest question.

[Magenta]

This has bothered me for awhile now and I've always been afraid to ask in case someone got offended... but I have a transgender friend and it's always made me curious.

He used to be a girl and always was attracted to men. Now, as a man himself, he is still attracted to men. Is he gay or still technically straight? Or do transgender people just not identify this way? This has always confused me. I'd assume gay because they gender identify as male but...

I've been curious and rather reluctant to ask. Hoping someone can shed some light on this for me so I don't always feel awkwardly in the dark.

Also, transgender people, would you personally be offended if someone asked you this?

[Kujiro]

I no transgender, but i find this question really interesting,
I feel that your friend is technically straight, but why the transgender i believe he has certain reasons behind it.

It could be personal reasons, or a spark in "her" which causes her to hate being a "her" but to face the world as a man.

If im not wrong, your friend has a very strong character, so strong that it is dorminating.
But deep inside he is soft and yet requires care and concern from a male figure, afterall he was a lady from the start.

I am just listing possibilities though.

[humanesquire]

He's gay. Your friend is a guy that is attracted to guys. If you explained your curiosity, it shouldn't be offensive, but to Kujiro, using the wrong pronouns is really offensive. That is probably the quickest way to piss any trans* person off.

[Kujiro]

Sorry did not mean to.
:(

[ShatteredWings]

Woot, token transguy being useful :D

Sexuality is self-determined, but usually based off of gender identity - you assume right! Unlike most people...

He's a guy who likes men. He's gay in my books. You can ask, but that's the answer you'll get a good 90%+ of the time.

@Jermey. Really.
No. He's a he. Not a her.You can be gay and trans, it's really not unheard of.

*is so glad I don't have this issue with sexuality. I like people :P*


Protip for all people with questions regarding trans issues:
Respect gets you a loooot further. If someone asks you to respect something (name, pronouns*, sexuality), do so.
If you have a question, make a point to phrase it w/o derogatory language
...and seriously. Asking for a birthname is just a dick move. It's not their name, legal change or not. Just don't.


*this goes for third gender pronouns (their, ze/hir, ect)

[Magenta]

Thanks, Kyle and everyone else. That basically sorted that out for me. I doubt my friend would mind if I asked him but just in case I met other trans* (which I don't doubt I will), I just wanted to be sure.