Well I originally made this topic out of an interest to see how common my friend's reaction was (pretty common, it seems).
I've ended up exposing some pretty awful attitudes and assumptions about transwomen. I've done some reading and research online about the topic as a result, and wanted to address some of the things that have been said here.
I just want to stress I am *not* trying to change anyone's mind about whether they'd date a transwoman, but I also don't want to be complicit in allowing mistruths to spread about a group of people who already face massive challenges in life.
So, to address some of the things said here:
1 - The Neo-Vagina
a) The penile inversion method of creating the vagina is being phased out in favor of a newer more complex technique, which gives the patient a regular-looking vagina, located in the same place as a natal woman's, with the same angle of entry. Everything listed below refers to the type of vagina created by this newer method.
b) A Neo-Vagina has all the parts of a regular vagina, except the cervix, which is right up the back and completely undetectable and irrelevant in so far as how the sex act feels.
c) You would not feel or see any difference between it and a natal vagina, keeping in mind that there is no one standard natal vagina - that they vary in shape and size and proportion quite a bit.
d) It smells like a regular vagina, and orgasm is possible, including ejaculation. It does self-lubricate to an extent, however additional lubricant may be needed in some cases.
e) It does NOT look like something has been cut up and put back together.
f) In short, only a gynecological exam would reveal that it is not a natal vagina.
Pictures and a description of the procedure are available at:
(NSFW)
http://www.supornclinic.com/restricted/SRS/Results.aspx
Remember that you don't normally see vaginas so up-close and presented in such a cold, medical type of way, unless you are a gyno or watch some really weird porn, so be prepared to be confronted.
g) The vaginal cavity *will* shrink over time if it is not stretched regularly. After the first year or so this involves using a vibrator-like device for 30 minutes once a week. If the transsexual is having sex regularly they don't need to worry about it.
2 - "At least you'd get anal sex"
There is no reason why a post-op transsexual would be any more inclined towards anal sex than an average woman as she has a vagina for sexual penetration, just like any other woman. If you're talking pre-op, then yes, you'd probably get to have anal sex, but as many natal woman are willing to do this it's hardly a reason to date a trans woman.
3 - "Man-sweat"
After being on hormone therapy for a while these types of biological processes change. Sweat, urine and sexual fluids lose that "musky" scent that men have. Skin also becomes softer as female hormones cause more fat to be distributed to just under the skin. Body hair falls out, and what doesn't is thinner and lighter (legs, underarms etc). Some need electrolysis to remove hair if they were hirsute men.
4 - Does the beard still grow after hormones are added?
Yes it will, unless the person gets laser and electrolysis done on their face to permanently remove the hair. Most do this early on in the process before they have the "big operation", as hair on the face feels "wrong".
5 - They are still a man even if they have boobs and a vagina.
This is a personal opinion, and if you feel that a woman must have a particular genetic code to really be a woman, then I am not here to convince you otherwise.
I will say though, that whatever your personal opinion is, I think it is extremely disrespectful to persist in calling a male-to-female transsexual "he" and "him". It is not like they wake up on a whim and decide they are women.
A post-op male to female transsexual has to spend about 100,000 dollars to get electrolysis, hormones, sexual reassignment surgery, and facial feminization surgery - surgeries which are extensively invasive, risky and take a few years to recover from. They have to completely re-learn how to talk and move and dress. They have to go through a period of looking like a man in a dress and take all sorts of abuse and ridicule and discrimination before they can become "passable" as a woman, and they often have to give up marriages, family and friends who can't accept their transition. Many move to a new place to start life over because they face so much rejection where they come from. You can see in this thread how difficult it then must be to find someone to love them.
I think if someone is willing to sacrifice so much to be perceived as a particular gender, then we should respect that and use the pronouns that they wish to be called by.
I started this topic out of a kind of detached interest in my friend's attitude to this woman he met, but it has really opened my eyes to the plight of transsexuals. I hope this post has helped educate someone by dispelling some of the myths about them. I know I've learned a lot.