Shemale: Definition, Origin, and Why This Term is Offensive

What does the term “Shemale” mean?

Shemale is the English word for “transsexuals.” This word is composed of “she” and “male” to signify that it refers to the “3rd sex.” However, “Shemale” is a term primarily used in the porn industry to refer to a transgender woman who has not undergone sex reassignment surgery and therefore still has a penis. It is a word that is often considered offensive and degrading by transgender people, as it reduces them to their anatomy and fetishizes them.

Why is this word problematic and offensive?

• It is fetishizing: The term “shemale” is used to sell porn to cisgender men who are attracted to the fantasy of a woman with a penis. It turns trans women into exotic and deviant objects of desire.

• It is dehumanizing: Like “tranny,” “shemale” reduces a person to their trans identity and their genitals. It denies their identity as a woman and their complexity as a human being.

• It is inaccurate: Not all trans women have a penis, and not all trans women with a penis identify as “shemales.” It is a term that is imposed from the outside and does not reflect the diversity of trans experiences.

What words to use when talking about transgender women?

If you want to talk about a transgender woman, use the words she has chosen to define herself. In general, we use:

• A trans woman

• A trans woman with a penis (if relevant to the conversation)

In Short:

The word “shemale” is a porn term, not a respectful term for a transgender woman. Avoid using it. If you are looking for porn with trans women, you will find it under that name. But in everyday life, use language that respects the identity and dignity of trans people.