Pornhub's Yearly Review Shows Increase in Trans Porn Searches

Pornhub recently released its 2022 Year in Review, which shows what users have been looking for the most on the video-sharing platform. This year, the website got a lot queerer, with a notable increase in trans porn, which became the third most popular category in the U.S. and the seventh in the world.

Group sex searches also saw a 34% increase, while "scissoring" saw a 96% jump in search terms next to "pegging." A report from Them notes that Pornhub gathers data for PornhubGay separately and not by gender. PornhubGay also reported a 202% increase in searches for FTM, making it the 20th of the top 20 gay searches. It didn't rank at all last year.

The increase in trans porn interest also comes alongside a number of anti-trans and general anti-LGBTQ+ bills lawmakers are trying to enforce. Last year, an Alabama Republican lawmaker was caught liking trans porn on Twitter after voting to criminalize doctors who provide minors with transition-related healthcare.

Additionally, a Lawsuit.org study showed that users in Republican states are the most responsible for the popularity of certain trans-related porn terms like "tranny" and "shemale." Texas was the "most obsessed" state with transgender porn.

The HuffPost further discussed the difference between visibility and equality, as well as whether the increase in these searches poses a sign of fetishization. That said, it's likely a combination of fetish and genuine curiosity about exploring gender and sexuality. With nearly one in five members of the Gen Z population identifying on the queer spectrum, this could easily be the case.

Regardless of the reason, trans people are still far more likely to have to face dangers and stigmas that prevent them from living happy and healthy lives. Overall, advocates worry that the possible fetishization of trans people might increase the stigma surrounding a vulnerable group in the LGBTQ+ community.

RELATED | International Olympic Committee Updates Framework for Trans Athletes