The changing public and private experience of transgender people

Chapter 4 -Mate preferences among transgender individualsThere is ample evidence of sex differences in mate preferences for a long-term relationship in both, heterosexual and gay and lesbian groups (Buss et al., 1990;Lippa, 2007).Regardless of their sexual orientation, in general, men tend to value physical attractiveness more than women, whereas women tend to value social status and resources more than men.However, no study has explored this topic in transgender individuals, a group that provides a unique opportunity to study the interaction of sex and gender on mate choices.Therefore, Chapter 4 presents the results of a study that aimed at identifying the mate characteristics that are most and least valued by transgender individuals who define themselves as heterosexuals and to examine to what extent their biological sex or their gender identity determines their mate preferences.