[NimrodClover]

Intriguing poll. From the replies so far I find that I must not really be a good respondent, just judging from where the categories lie. My interpretation of the whole futa, futanari, hermaphrodite, transsexual, ambiguous gender realm must be too grounded in reality to get much from the fanciful stories.

First, I feel I should define terms as from what I have seen "Futa" is a bit blurry:
Futanari = “hermaphrodite” in Japanese.
Hermaphrodite = individual with indistinct gender.
Indistinct Gender = one with malformed, incomplete, or non-existent sex.

What is seen in porn is the exact opposite of that. Therefor I will use "Futa" thus:

Futa = to depict individuals with both fully functional sex organs (or exaggerated male sex organs on an otherwise female body). However, they sometimes lack female sex organs, essentially making them simply a trans-male however exaggerated. I my mind if you do not have a character with both functional sex organs then you are NOT Futa as that is what makes it distinct in the universe of blended gender morphology.

This is not to say I don't find the concepts fascinating. It is just that few stories, artwork, or comics move in a direction that would hold my interest as they don't deal with the subject in a very "realistic" fashion. By that I mean in a more science fiction and less fantasy mode.

The most engaging plots for me are those that essentially start with the premise that a third gender exists. One that is a combination gender and not just a woman with a penis or a man with mostly girl parts (we have those in the real world). Rather, something along the lines of what we see in a few modern futanari plots, a true third gender that fulfills some biological / sociological function.

I can recall reading some sci-fi books that had variations of the number of genders and how it impacted the whole species. Enemy Mine had a single gender race, Alien Nation, the TV show, had a small population third gender, essentially a lightly effeminate neutered super male that served a biological need, to name a few. Why would futanari exist in this world?

The most interesting stories I have found, and there are few in this mode, are those that approach the futa as a distinct group with their own place in society and their own resulting conflicts and function. They just are not girls with dicks or guys with a vag.

If there is a logical reason why, in the story, they are equipped the way they are, then I can roll with it and anticipate or appreciate the plot more, as extrapolating the motivations is more intuitive. Too many times there seems to be the misconception that by just plugging on a cock that explains everything. That insults either gender and does not acknowledge that men and women range across a spectrum, and are not just slaves to the particular genitalia.

That being said, I do like that in an odd way, the entire hermaphrodite universe does seem to acknowledge that having both genders in one person does modify their sexuality. Notice I say modify and not amplify. Very often the stories are obvious and go for the low hanging fruit so to speak. If you have a penis at all it implies that you are more sexual, are more motivated, etc. The corollary to this implies that with a vagina you are less sexual and less motivated. It really does feel like there is a pervasive "Let's plug on a dick to give a women more motivation" thinking. This is a big turn off in my mind as it affronts both genders.

I would enjoy reading a story that actually deals with what a valid, functioning, biologically necessary third gender would entail. What would an individual in that group deal with? Would they be ostracized as in Alien Nation or would they have sufficient numbers or biological function to exert some power on society? What would make this 3rd gender unique on the sexual spectrum? Would they range across various intensity, have some manner of cycle, have a season, be triggered by external events, etc - just how would they fit into society?

So yes, as soon as I see the cliche slap a big cock on an otherwise hot woman and run her around humping everything is sight is a total killjoy. Having a guy wake up one morning with both sets of junk who then zips off to find the first schlong sh-he can get into sh-his holes is an immediate veto for me. Having a big penis and testicles is not the sole motivation for someone. I find that insulting and sophomoric.

Here are my responses to the poll:
SF: 5 - a guy getting female parts, let's be balanced here. Still a bit too "plug it on" for me.
RP: 10 - if described as a valid third gender.
SS: 1 - it is science fiction, so it gets a single point.
B: 7 - again, does a third gender need them? Yes, No, Maybe?
CF: 8 - there is little room left in the spectrum already in this respect.
ESS: 3 - I split these...
ESM: 3 - three across...
ESL: 3 - each range.
T: 1 - Remember a valid third gender would be born, mature, and die - so some change.
BC: 1 - Really?
MDC: 4 - What would a third gender need functionally?
MC: 2 - Ah, but what function and what evolutionary factors select for that!?!
AF: 2 - Again, not magical and to account for variation. Yes, you can be too small/big!!!
SCS: 5 - with a corresponding vagina size, otherwise what is the point?
SCM: 2 - with a corresponding vagina size, "docking" is just too painful a concept and an instant "NOPE!"
SCL: 1 - with a corresponding vagina size