Since I made the decision three years ago to involve myself with the question of Autogynephilia I have been constantly asked why I have placed myself in such a position. Indeed, there have been times when I have wondered so myself. The intensity of hatred shown towards anyone who considers autogynephilia to be scientifically sound would make most people pause in their tracks. But the realization that the causative factor for their animosity is often fear makes it imperative to provide a venue for the dissemination of factual information about the theory.

My initial step was to involve myself with the creation of an e-mail discussion list on Autogynephilia. My hope was to create a dialogue between those on both sides of the controversy regarding the theory. However, it was during this time that Autogynephilia was becoming a focal point of politicalism within the transsexual community, and civil discussion was becoming quite difficult. One of the casualties of this environment was my own neutrality. As the arguments against Autogynephilia grew more emotional, and the decision was made by some of more visible members of the community to extract an ounce of blood from advocates of the theory I found myself compelled to speak out against such excesses. Along the way I came to believe that the motivations of these individuals came more from self-aggrandizement than concern.

Their attempts at discrediting the theory had the result of increasing awareness of it. I cannot answer with certainty whether this was an unexpected outcome, or one which the leaders had no concern towards; their only true goal was increasing their own public profile.

The need for factual information on Autogynephilia became quite plain. The source for such information would have to be those who are most familiar with it, and best able to explain it precisely and clearly.

Since the Internet (and its various search engines) makes it relatively easy to find material on almost any subject a web site devoted to Autogynephilia would be invaluable. This despite the fact that there was some intelligent content already available.

Dr. Anne Lawrence has made some important contributions to the theory, and has some excellent pages on her web site concerning the subject. http://www.annelawrence.com/agfaqs.html Professor J. Michael Bailey’s book, can be read in it’s entirety at Nat'l Academies Press, The Man Who Would Be Queen: (2003) The writings of Dr. Ray Blanchard, who conceived and defined Autogynephilia, were more difficult to obtain.

A website devoted to Autogynephilia would not be complete without the involvement of Dr. Blanchard. His encouragement and advice over the past three years have been invaluable, and I am quite grateful for the support he has given me since this project began.

As a writer, I am most interested in process. Earlier on, when I had some small success as a songwriter I kept copies of prototype versions of my compositions. In a larger scope, I could see how I was developing a certain form over a period of time. There was a linear pattern of growth over a number of years and in retrospect I find observing this pattern interesting.

Extended beyond my own efforts, I am quite fascinated with discovering how others arrive at an aesthetic or intellectual destination. So I wrote Dr. Blanchard asking if he would write an essay on the development of the Autogynephilia theory. That this page is the most read article on the web site perhaps is an indicator that others also wish to know about the process.

The article also establishes that Autogynephilia did not develop in a vacuum.

Of course, the negative spin doctors have attempted to discredit those whose work has influenced the conception of the theory. This is to be expected, and the critical reader should consider the aim of the writer.

One should especially be skeptical of writers who use phrases such as “sex-fueled mental illness”. The redundant use of that particular descriptor indicates, at least to me, the lack of process which goes into the writings of many of the critics of Autogynephilia.

Along with the Origins article we have here a number of other hard to find source materials written by Dr. Blanchard. Assembled here they provide a background that provides balance against the suppositional attacks made by others.

The aim of this website was never to propagandize. Science should be presented without a sales pitch. Thusly, we may not win converts among those who have decided strongly against this theory. But we will achieve the task of informing those whose motive in reading these pages is to gain understanding.

Some may view my work on this site as misplaced idealism. Others may have a far more venal opinion of what I have created with this site. At least one has done some extensive writing towards the end of discrediting my efforts.

Such developments are mostly beyond my abilities to change. I suppose that all of us will continue having our own roles to play. The only role which has not been cast is that of conciliator. Perhaps in Act 3 Scene 2.

But one thing I am sure of is that I will be asked, again and again, why I continue to involve myself in this controversial arena. And, as always, I shall refer the questioner to these very pages.

Lisanne Ferne Anderson