Hi

I am in the process of completing a book about body modification. The book focuses on groups such as amputee wannabes and devotees, trepanation advocates, and surgical fetishists. The idea of the book is to propose that people should have the freedom to pursue their interests. I am hoping to include a chapter on castration, not from a transgender perspective where a male becomes a female, but from the perspective that some men choose to be castrated but still retain a gendered identity of being male, and identify as eunuchs. I am thus posting because, although I have managed to speak to people who have undergone amputations, trepanation, and other forms of surgery, I have yet to speak to a eunuch, or a man waiting / preparing to become a eunuch. I was wondering if anybody would be willing to answer a few questions, by email, telephone, or in person (I am in the UK). I would be glad also to answer any questions about my project should that be necessary.

many thanks

Jack

Hi

Jack writer (imported) wrote: Tue Feb 01, 2005 1:32 am I am in the process of completing a book about body modification. The book focuses on groups such as amputee wannabes and devotees, trepanation advocates, and surgical fetishists. clip... I was wondering if anybody would be willing to answer a few questions, by email, telephone, or in person (I am in the UK). I would be glad also to answer any questions about my project should that be necessary.

many thanks

Jack

There have been requests before, but the product was not repesented truefully. Members which had been interview felt that they have been burned.

Other than that history good luck.

_g :-\

As _g said, I don't know if you'll have much luck.

After the fiasco that was the film "American Eunuchs", I doubt if anyone here will be too forthcoming.

I agree,

There is nothing worse than a burnt member...

A-1

I don't buy it!!!!

As a social scientist who has done a great deal of field research and who has published books and articles behind him, I have serious doubts that any valid researcher would suddenly drop in like this to announce that he is nearly finished with a project and only now wants to interview a "real eunuch". Any human subjects research requires, and not just for ethical reasons, a careful approach where the "subjects" get to know the researcher well enough to know whether or not to trust him. Whether or not to provide him with any information.

If "Jack writer" is really serious about this project, he needs to join in the conversation here and make himself known as an intelligent and sympathetic observer of the scene.

I know that there are valid research projects underway on eunuch-related topics, mostly historic ones. The thread on The 10 Most Significant Eunuchs in History was started by me in response to a request from an historian who is beginning to write such a book. He wanted some feedback from the members of the Archive, though he will not be doing any research on the Archive itself. He has read the Archive on occasion and knows that there are intelligent and thoughtful people here whose ideas can help him with his work. The thread has definitely been productive.

There are several other historians and, at least one, musicologist whom I know to be at work, but who have no contact with the Archive. I expect that they will produce books and articles that will be able to review here once they are in print.

We need to know far more about "Jack writer" before I would be willing to suggest that anyone contact him.

Hi

Ok. Many points here, firstly by the book being nearly finished I should clarify, I have spent three-years researching and interviewing people involved in extreme body modification, I have spoken to people involved in trepanation and amputation. Castration / nullification only forms a part of the book. This section contextualizes castration within a history that includes cults in India, Russia, etc, as well as European cults. I am attempting to contextualize contemporary castration within this history, but also as separate from it.

I actually posted a request for individuals to come forward on BME, although I got a couple of replies from amputees, I also got replies from photo-journalists looking for stories, another reason why I've largely avoided going the on-line research route. However, because the eunuch community is by necessity largely secretive I have been unable to meet any eunuchs and hence am posting on this site. I understand that people may be unhappy that I am posting 'late' on this, but partly that is because I didn't want to waste people's time, I wanted to know what I needed to ask prior to posting.

I understand that people feel betrayed by other representations of the 'community'. My motives are simple, I am not looking for spokespeople, but for people who can offer an insight to their own personal motivations for becoming eunuchs. While most literature discusses castration as symbolic of 'illness', 'gender disorder' etc, I am interested in it as a personal choice.

As to how I represent people, I appreciate that people feel burned by the way in which they were represented in other places. I can't comment on these, or say that any representation I offer will be either definitive or authentic, however I am not interested in creating a psychological profile, but, as I said, presenting individuals who have made personal decisions that challenge many cultural conventions.

As to what I have done previously, I have written largely on culture and subcultures.

Hope that helps.

Jack

Ok, I've compiled some questions, I know that they are really general and I would really like to hear personal stories as well. If anybody is upset by my questions I apologise, additionally I can understand that some of you may think this is all nonsense and have no interest, but if anybody is interested in replying then please do. Many thanks.

1.There are many castration fantasies posted on-line and much fiction, did you have fantasies of castration prior to having the operation, or is this totally unrelated in your experience? Did you engage in genital torture as a form of sex play prior to making the decision to be castrated, or is this unrelated?

(my thinking is that people's fantasies and the reality are very different, and that those who fantasize about the PROCESS rather than the RESULTS are actually more interested in fantasy than actually acting on desires).

2. Castration and nullification are probably the most extreme physical changes a man can voluntarily undergo, how does one even begin to make such decisions?

What made you choose to become a eunuch? Is it a desire that people have from childhood, or is it something that emerges over time? (I am thinking of gay men and members of the transgender community who all know their gender / sexuality from very young ages, despite some parts of society suggesting otherwise).

3. Have you chosen castration and / or penectomy?

4. To what extent do people from the community identify as 'male' (before and after undergoing castration) and to what extent do they wish to identify as 'asexual' (or any other gendered identity)?

5. Clearly castration costs money if you can find a sympathetic surgeon, how many people have castrated themselves, or seen a cutter? Do people ever travel overseas (Mexico, South Pacific etc) to have the operation? Should the operation be more readily available?

6. Have you seen any kind of psychologist prior to the operation, did he / she help at all? To what extent do you feel the psychology establishment merely see castration in negative terms, as a symptom to be 'cured'?

7. What advice would you give to people seeking castration and/or nullification, should they see a therapist / psychologist, should they try chemical castration first?

8. How do you tell people that you are castrated / nullified? How many people know? Do you take testosterone or prefer not to?

I think I've made my interests clear, but I am happy to answer any questions so feel free to email me.

Thanks

Jack