The internet never ceases to amaze.

A Tanzanian fashion designer alleged that former Department of Energy official Sam Brinton , who identifies as "gender fluid," a variation of "nonbinary," has been seen wearing her custom-made outfits publicly after her luggage went missing from an airport in 2018. The designer came with receipts, posting a thread on social media that has since gone viral that depicts photos of models wearing her bright and colorful designs and jewelry alongside photos of Briton wearing what looks to be the same items. As you may recall, Brinton faces up to 15 years in prison for allegedly stealing the suitcases of two other women .

As a former sex researcher who studied paraphilias, which are unusual sexual interests known more commonly as sexual "kinks," I can’t speak to Brinton’s case. I do, however, have a few thoughts about why people born male will steal and wear women’s clothing in public.

Instances of men stealing women’s undergarments for the purpose of cross-dressing are popular cultural lore. This behavior has also been documented in the disturbing cases of convicted serial killers , who have been known to collect and wear their victims’ lingerie and shoes as mementos or "trophies." In addition to cross-dressing, autogynephilia , or sexual arousal at the thought of being a woman, can explain the desire to wear women’s undergarments. Over the course of a lifetime, one can amass a collection of hundreds of stolen items.

Wearing women’s clothing in public may also be driven by sexual masochism. It’s frowned upon in society for men to dress like women, and some are aroused by the shame and embarrassment associated with doing so.

Not everyone with one, or a combination, of the paraphilias above will feel compelled to steal from other people. Many purchase women’s clothes lawfully, including online, and don’t wear them in plain sight, so as to remain inconspicuous. Those who do obtain items unlawfully likely experience some form of kleptomania, which is the inability to resist stealing, particularly if the thefts aren’t motivated by monetary value.

Because paraphilias occur almost exclusively in men, nowadays, any man who has feelings of wanting to wear women’s clothing for sexual reasons is funneled down the path of believing he is transgender or a so-called third gender. Denying this reality forecloses young men’s ability to get the self-understanding and care they need.