Porn has always disgusted me.  It is not something I have ever had the slightest interest in.  However, I feel I should comment because I had the same "other neighborhood boy" experience that was described in some of the early posts in the thread.  When I was in maybe 6-7th grade, stereotypical older neighborhood boy showed me nude pictures of women (celebrities specifically), but they were nothing like porn.  My reaction was pretty much "yeah, and?" but I also felt wrong looking at them and wanted out of there.

The only similar pictures I've been able to look at since then are the tasteful nudity type without sex in them, and I never used them to satisfy any urge.  Unless you call the whole "wishing I looked like them" thing an urge.

Quote from: Zoë Natasha on August 13, 2011, 11:16:01 PM
+1

Thank you for that poignant observation!  I've had the exact same thoughts too.

regardless of how lovely her tits are i feel really uncomfortable getting sexual gratification from a stranger, even if it's through a video. i feel the same irl obviously.

I guess you people are more mature than I. For me, right now, sexual urges are nothing but a nuisance that must be eliminated with as little collateral damage as possible. Yes, I am at war with my genitalia, and they're using guerilla tactics to annoy me ever more every time.

I do look forward to actually having feelings develop into desire and fulfillment with a loving partner, and everything, but for now, I can only look at such wonderful feelings from a distant, dirty window. For now, what that ->-bleeped-<-stick wants and love are as unrelated as friendship and quartz. The last time I had a "fantasy" about someone I loved... still brings shivers.

(Btw, about nude pictures during the youth, isn't it normal to be repulsed? I'm not sure I get it.)

Quote from: A on August 13, 2011, 10:39:39 PM
Well, I did come out, and am trying to transition. It's just that for now, physical urges remain, and dysphoria does too. I don't really see the point of inflicting myself pain by doing this annoying action otherwise.

Quote from: A on August 13, 2011, 11:39:09 PM
I guess you people are more mature than I. For me, right now, sexual urges are nothing but a nuisance that must be eliminated with as little collateral damage as possible. Yes, I am at war with my genitalia, and they're using guerilla tactics to annoy me ever more every time.

I do look forward to actually having feelings develop into desire and fulfillment with a loving partner, and everything, but for now, I can only look at such wonderful feelings from a distant, dirty window. For now, what that ->-bleeped-<-stick wants and love are as unrelated as friendship and quartz. The last time I had a "fantasy" about someone I loved... still brings shivers.

(Btw, about nude pictures during the youth, isn't it normal to be repulsed? I'm not sure I get it.)

No A, I wouldn't say you are less mature, from what you write it reflects maturity, and I know what you are going through also. It has only been in the past 2 months that I have been able put the porn "aside", it has been a blessing actually, and has allowed that "sexual healing" I needed to start my journey. Guerrilla tactics is right, now I hate waking up an erection, it calls out to be fed(lol). But I have found a shift from "porno sexual fantasies" to intimate fantasies, more romantic ones actually that are turning me on. When it comes time to "clean the dirty window" you'll  know, it will kinda  be like a choice, one you'll be ready and willing to make.

Quote from: -Ryan- on August 13, 2011, 10:51:02 PM
from "the other side", i am a straight male who is (very) turned on by anything sexual. yay for testosterone....

but seriously, half the time i'm watching porn the thoughts keep coming in my head how degrading it is to women (and men) and the fact that the actors are peoples children...

as much as i like sex, having it and watching it, there's still a part of me that knows our society exploits it and objectifies it and feels uncomfortable with that.

Kinda puts a damper on it sometimes wouldn't you say? The "war inside", like the scene from Animal House where Pinto is about to take advantage of his date...hopefully Zoe will see this "request" and put that video on this thread (hint,hint).

Quote from: SandraJane on August 13, 2011, 10:25:06 PM
Its when you rely on porn and live vicariously through it , and use it because its "safe", that it becomes harmful to you. With porn you don't have to expose yourself (not that kind) to others, or face the challenges of coming out.

Who's that referring to? ME! Yeah I liked porn, find I pause momentary when I do stumble upon it- then I shut my eyes and turn my head away , but it was one of the "chains" that was holding me back. I'm not throwing stones at anyone...cause I'd be the first target...

After the first few minutes I always found porn to be boring.  There are only so many things two people can do without it becoming repetitive.  I guess I was always relating to the women in straight porn, and getting turned on by that, rather than the male viewpoint.  The female actors generally have the minor role in most, which could explain the feeling of boredom that ensues. 

Lesbian porn seems to be  almost always for the titillation of straight men, but I have found some that I have enjoyed as it was obviously made by lesbians, for lesbians.  I would call it erotica rather than porn though, because of the way it is presented.  Erotica can be written too, and I find that more enjoyable because I can make the characters look, and act to an extent, however like.

Thanks to the wonders of HRT I no longer have to be concerned with male sex drive, and the associated efforts anyway.

Karen.

I would call it erotica rather than porn though, because of the way it is presented that's what everyone else does too.

Everyone is different. Every man is different, every woman is different.

What you feel about porn is going to be different than I feel about porn which is going to be different than my sister feels about porn...

The feminist in me thinks its disgusting and degrading.

The transactivist in me thinks its degrading and pushes bad stereotypes in re to trans porn.

The wild part of me thinks some of those things seem like they might be fun and feel good.

The human part of me thinks it might suit some needs but not others.

Quote from: Lily on August 12, 2011, 08:04:04 PM
I never had much of an interest in porn until I discovered the "made for women" sites like Abby Winters, the ones where the actors look average and the sex looks real and intimate.

I had to read about it. I don't like that it was founded and is owned by a male named Garion Hall. "Made for women," made by women, but it's still women being exploited by a man.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbywinters.com

Yeah, one of the top 'barely legal' websites, great choice.