Summary

Boyfriends – In this chapter, the author discusses the experiences of the young transwomen she knows, and of transwomen in general, in search of relationships with men. She makes clear distinctions between the transwomen who consider themselves straight women in men’s bodies, many of whom refuse to think of themselves as gay (that is, men attracted to men): they see themselves as women attracted to men.

The author begins her narrative with stories of Foxx’s search for a man to be with, and her frequent disappointments. The author then comments on how the flirtatious attitude and sexy clothing of young transwomen sometimes can work both for them (in that they get affirmation for being perceived as female) and ultimately against them (when men discover that they are in fact male). There is also, the author writes, an element of transwomen being...