What does shemale mean?
What is Shemale?
A shemale is a popular nickname for a male-to-female transsexual, generally one who still has a penis.
Definition
Shemale is a term primarily used in pornography and other parts of the adult industry to describe a male-to-female transsexual who has the appearance of a woman, breasts and a penis. These transsexuals identify themselves as female rather than male, and should be referred to as she rather than he. Some transgender women find the term shemale offensive.
History
While a male-to-female transgender woman often never has surgery to add breasts, and should be considered a woman, in shemale porn the models generally do have breasts as well as a penis. The term shemale is fairly recent but has become quite widespread.
About
Many pre-op transsexuals perceive anal intercourse and giving oral sex as being more like a "genetic" woman but there are still many who enjoy having their cocks sucked or even having intercourse with a partner.. Shemales in porn are often presented as beautiful and more sexually aggressive than regular women, and shemales are generally more attractive to straight men or else to men who prefer transsexual women. A shemale who can penetrate a partner with her penis is referred to as "fully functional".
Some shemales, or transsexuals, are unable to become erect as the hormones they take that help them grow less facial and body hair and develop other female characteristics interfere with the ability for the penis to become erect. There are some very active transgender communities and there are many support groups and organizations to help transsexuals with legal, personal and medical issues.
Similiar Terms
See also transgender and transsexual.