And in the blue corner…

Thank you for taking an interest in the issues raised in the ANU Reporter article on my research. I think I can clarify the points you raise because they are reasonable, especially given the loaded title to the article and the absence of detail in the text.

First, the notion of a 'poor result' is not something that I would want to defend. I didn't think I said anything to the reporter than implied an absolutist tone, such as 'poor', 'not poor' . Rather, my emphasis was on the comparative success of different categories of transsexuals in maintaining stable sexual relationships.

Second, the role of physical appearances in attaining/maintaining a stable, sexual relationship is something that comes across in the article as being close to mono-causal. I'm not denying that other factors may be involved: they almost certainly are and probably include wider homophobic and transphobic practices. My claim about the role of physical appearance is, I would stress, a theoretical one. Put differently, it is an informed conjecture. I'm not suggesting that it is a concrete certainty, although the overseas evidence certainly supports my stance (eg. Docter's research in the UK). The lack of prominence in the article of the role of gender specific socialisation could lead to the impression that I have adopted a blame the victim approach. The structured nature of that socialisation does negate a victim blaming stance.

Many thanks for your comments

Frank Lewins
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My thoughts? I'd still like to know the success ratio for "normal" heterosexual people. I'm also not really sure what he means by "structured nature of that socialisation does negate a victim blaming stance", but the quote in the original article of "MtF's are fixated, often to the point of obsession, with their looks. Some have multiple bouts of surgery to change their appearance significantly" certainly left an impression that 1) transsexuals are obsessed with their looks and 2) fail in their relationships because of this obsession. If you were to insert "women" instead of "MtF's" the whole article might read just as true (you don't think it's just obsessed trannies keeping those plastic surgeons in business do you?) but it would be more dangerous to print such a thing. Since trannies are an unpopular minority it's Ok to belittle them.
I am not certain of what he means by "The structured nature of that socialisation does negate a victim blaming stance", though I have the feeling he is saying "It's something society did to you, so it's not your fault that you're obsessive."

For those who came in late, Frank Lewins authored a book in the mid-90's entitled "The sociology of MtF transsexuals" which uses Australian data and hence is somewhat relevant to those living on the world's biggest island. Dr Lewins decided to bring this book together after the transition of his now daughter thus bringing an interesting viewpoint to bear. His data was from the Monash Gender Clinic which many people see as a "If you want surgery, walk this walk and talk this talk" kind of place. Most researchers of this type use data from Gender Centers, which makes me wonder how much bias it therefore has.