Embodying Transgender: An Analysis of Trans Women in Online Forums

Abstract

This paper discusses the way that trans women embody their transgender identity, focusing on identity questioning, gender dysphoria, clinical gatekeeping and medicalized narratives. Situated within the hermeneutics methodological approach, we adopted the unobtrusive research as our research method, where data was derived from online forums where trans women posted content about their perspectives and experiences of gender and gender transitioning. Thematic analysis method was used for data analysis. Our findings suggest that gender identity is embodied and socially negotiated. Many trans women were initially ambivalent about their transgender identity and some continued to question their desired identity throughout adulthood. When presenting to healthcare professionals many trans women reported being expected to adopt a ‘wrong body’ narrative in order to gain access to treatment and surgery for gender transitioning and affirmation. In doing so, trans women interact with significant others and health care providers, and face many challenges. These challenges must be understood so that trans women can perform self-determination practices as a way to achieve gender autonomy.

Transgender Healthcare and Medical Education: An Inductive Thematic Analysis of Digital Discourse

“…This method promotes an unobtrusive form of data collection, where participants are not directly interacted with. Anonymity complements the data collection procedure as data is authentic to their experiences and participants may feel less apprehensive to speak on sensitive topics [4]. Furthermore, adopting an inductive thematic framework enables standardized coding, labeling, and organization of data under broader themes and categories.…”

“…One major contributing factor to this surge in TGD self-identification is the online discourse on gender identity [3,4]. Participants join forums and support groups and involve themselves in discursive identity development with other community members.…”

Effect of Simplified Kundalini Yoga with and without SKY Chanting on Anxiety and Depression among Transgender Women

“…Transgender individuals are at higher risk in physical and mental health as they buy hormones from local private pharmacies or abroad through friends (Regmi 2019). Transgender women face many challenges in getting hormonal treatment and sex reassignment surgery (Liamputtong, 2020). Due to their poor socio-economic status and low educational status, transgender women face many issues in receiving proper health care services (Lombardi et al, 2001).…”