Story perspectives

Professor Calls to Abolish Sexual Identity Labels for Trans Liberation

3/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Brandon Robinson, an associate professor at the University of California, Riverside, argues that sexual identity labels such as 'gay' and 'lesbian' harm trans people and should be abolished.
Robinson promotes Trans Pleasure: On Gender Liberation and Sexual Freedom and urges moving beyond gender essentialism.
Robinson's remarks come from interviews with trans women and follow a Supreme Court decision blocking a California parental-notification law for gender identity changes in schools.

1 of 1

Story summary

Brandon Robinson, an associate professor at the University of California, Riverside, argues that sexual identity labels such as 'gay' and 'lesbian' harm trans people and should be abolished.
Robinson promotes Trans Pleasure: On Gender Liberation and Sexual Freedom and urges moving beyond gender essentialism.
Robinson's remarks come from interviews with trans women and follow a Supreme Court decision blocking a California parental-notification law for gender identity changes in schools.