Fear of being “just gay”
Several detransitioners say they once believed that becoming the opposite sex was the only way to make their same-sex attraction feel “normal.” One gay man remembers, “I quickly identified as ‘trans’ because being considered gay wasn’t really appealing to me… people considering you mentally ill, a degenerate… that’s what I’d always heard.” By calling himself a straight woman instead, he hoped to escape the shame and widen his dating pool at the same time. – GenderHurts source [citation:4417fef1-9659-407c-b86a-8a54c6b9a3d6]

“Become the girlfriend”
Some gay males describe the heterosexual dating market as so broken or intimidating that they decide to “psy-op” themselves into transition. One explains, “So what is there for a hetero guy to do… transition to become a ‘transbian’? At least you’ll get a girlfriend… Satisfied and partnered heterosexuals without involving any women.” – I_want_to_cry_4875 source [citation:4670b620-42e1-4d01-9940-5c5827b9a946]

Legal and cultural survival
In countries where homosexuality is punished, transition can feel like the only safe route to love. “In some places like Iran it’s specifically for that reason. It’s illegal to be homosexual… but perfectly legal to be a ‘straight’ transsexual.” – HeForeverBleeds source [citation:15ddae02-bc74-499b-a43d-e17ffd4d50bd]

The ethics of hiding
Detransitioners warn that chasing straight partners often tempts people to hide their birth sex, an act they later call sexual coercion. “That line of thinking strays towards… lying and sexual coercion that many transgenders engage in… Make sure to realize you can’t just have a straight woman.” – AnKelley92 source [citation:ea118e6a-6f59-4218-bd53-8c191f709a5f]

Long-term results
Almost every account ends in disappointment: straight people still sense the difference, the dating pool shrinks, and relationships become built on fetish or secrecy rather than genuine attraction. “Straight cis men like femininity… they won’t go for a woman with a T-induced low voice, Adam’s apple, removed breasts.” – I_want_to_cry_4875 source [citation:27e31345-3535-4226-be18-7dff012f2aa3]

Hopeful closing
The stories show that trying to “turn straight” through transition rarely brings the love or safety people hope for. True relief, detransitioners say, comes from dropping the disguise, facing internalized homophobia, and learning that same-sex love is already whole and worthy exactly as it is.