Does liking shemales make you gay?

[Amy]

To be gay you need an openly recognisable sexual attraction to male characteristics. And I mean the whole nine yards. A gay man won't be attracted to mtf transexuals because of the female characteristics they openly display. A BISEXUAL man may do, because he finds female and male characteristics sexually attractive.
Whether you consider yourself straight or bisexual also can tie in to how much respect you show for trans women as well. If you think of them as women, respecting their sense of gender identity, then you think of yourself as straight. if you think of them as something in-between, then you most likely at least partly see yourself as bisexual, whereas if you see them as men, well, I don't think anyone fits that definition of both being attracted to them and seeing them as men.

[kilgoretrout]

I think I fall into the camp that sees them as mostly females, but a bit different on at least one characteristic.

[jigenbakuda]

Yea I'm new to this too, I ask myself the same questions. But I'm sure of 1 thing, I'm attracted to feminine characteristics, so I'm not gay... I have never been with a transexual, but I like watching the porn... Well seeing as I would consider transexuals chicks with dicks, and not men, I guess I'm straight.

So Amy has helped me discover myself a bit more....

[orion]

Very well put Amy ...

IMHO .. your explanation should be posted as a "sticky" .. 'cos as sure as God made little green apples this old "chestnut" will crop up time & again ..

[TigerDragon]

Originally Posted by Amy

To be gay you need an openly recognisable sexual attraction to male characteristics. And I mean the whole nine yards. A gay man won't be attracted to mtf transexuals because of the female characteristics they openly display. A BISEXUAL man may do, because he finds female and male characteristics sexually attractive.
Whether you consider yourself straight or bisexual also can tie in to how much respect you show for trans women as well. If you think of them as women, respecting their sense of gender identity, then you think of yourself as straight. if you think of them as something in-between, then you most likely at least partly see yourself as bisexual, whereas if you see them as men, well, I don't think anyone fits that definition of both being attracted to them and seeing them as men.

Amy, you have described it, the way I view transexual girls. In their heart, mind and soul, they are without doubt a woman. I was so confused for so long, being attracted to a t/g?!! But, you are so right. You know within yourself if you are bi, gay, straight or a t/g lover! And, if it is not hurting yourself or anyone else...so what? Live and love.