Experiences of Life and Intersectionality of Transgender Refugees Living in Italy: A Qualitative Approach

Abstract

Transgender refugees are at risk of experiencing increased minority stress due to experiences of trauma in their country of origin, and the intersection of multiple marginalized identities in their host country. Adopting a transfeminist and decolonial approach, the present study aimed at exploring transgender refugees’ experiences of life and migration. A semi-structured interview protocol was developed, grounded in the perspectives of minority stress and intersectionality. Participants were five transgender refugees (four women and one non-binary) from different cultural/geographic contexts, professing different religions. Using thematic analysis, the researchers identified three themes: pre- and post-migration minority stress and transphobia; religion as a protective factor for gender affirmation; and individuation and the synthesis of social identities. Participants reported traumatic experiences and the inability to openly live out their gender identity in their country of origin as the main push factors to migration. They also reported feelings of isolation and experiences of victimization during interactions with the Italian asylum services, due to a lack of adequate training, racial prejudice, and transphobia. Participants demonstrated positive individuation, linked to gender affirmation treatments and religious protective factors. The interview protocol may be used by social operators to support the claims of transgender asylum seekers, and to clinically assess transgender people with an immigrant background.

Post‐migration psychosocial experiences and challenges amongst LGBTQ+ forced migrants: A meta‐synthesis of qualitative reports

“…The theme contains three categories: intersectional challenges encountered as an LGBTQ+ forced migrant (ES 97%; Akin, 2017; Alessi, 2016; Alessi et al, 2018, 2020; Alessi, Greenfield, et al, 2021; Cerezo et al, 2014; Dhoest, 2019, 2020; Golembe et al, 2020; Held, 2022; Kahn, 2015a, 2015b; Kahn & Alessi, 2018; Karimi, 2020a, 2020b, 2021; Kostenius et al, 2021; Lee & Brotman, 2011; Llewellyn, 2021; Logie et al, 2016; Mulé, 2021; Murray, 2014a, 2014b; Novitskaya, 2021; Oren & Gorshkov, 2021; Rosati et al, 2021; Wimark, 2019, 2021), psychological reactions and manifestations (ES 86%; Akin, 2017; Alessi, 2016; Alessi et al, 2018, 2020; Cerezo et al, 2014; Golembe et al, 2020; Held, 2022; Kahn, 2015a, 2015b; Kahn et al, 2018; Kahn & Alessi, 2018; Karimi, 2020a, 2021; Kostenius et al, 2021; Lee & Brotman, 2011; Llewellyn, 2021; Logie et al, 2016; Mulé, 2021; Murray, 2014a, 2014b; Oren & Gorshkov, 2021; Rosati et al, 2021; Wimark, 2019, 2021), and practical issues related to resettlement and living conditions (ES 66%; Akin, 2017; Alessi, 2016; Alessi et al, 2018, 2020; Cerezo et al, 2014; Golembe et al, 202...…”

“…The theme contains three categories: resilience and strengthening resources (ES 90%) (Alessi, 2016; Alessi et al, 2018, 2020; Alessi, Greenfield, et al, 2021; Cerezo et al, 2014; Dhoest, 2019, 2020; Golembe et al, 2020; Held, 2022; Kahn, 2015a, 2015b; Kahn et al, 2018; Karimi, 2020a, 2020b, 2021; Kostenius et al, 2021; Lee & Brotman, 2011; Logie et al, 2016; Mulé, 2021; Murray, 2014a, 2014b; Novitskaya, 2021; Oren & Gorshkov, 2021; Rosati et al, 2021; Wimark, 2019, 2021), identity formation (ES 62%; Akin, 2017; Alessi, Greenfield, et al, 2021; Cerezo et al, 2014; Dhoest, 2020; Golembe et al, 2020; Held, 2022; Kahn, 2015a, 2015b; Karimi, 2020a, 2020b, 2021; Lee & Brotman, 2011; Llewellyn, 2021; Logie et al, 2016; Murray, 2014a; Oren & Gorshkov, 2021; Rosati et al, 2021; Wimark, 2019), and establishing and maintaining social relationships (ES 45%; Dhoest, 2019, 2020; Held, 2022; Kahn, 2015a; Karimi, 2020a, 2020b, 2021; Mulé, 2021; Murray, 2014a, 2014b; Oren & Gorshkov, 2021; Wimark, 2019, 2021).…”

Migrating Populations and Health: Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease and Metabolic Syndrome

“…The probability of overweight and obesity was found to increase with age and with length of stay in Italy and to be higher among the unemployed and less educated immigrants. Compared to European born persons, the probability of overweight and obesity was lower among immigrants from Sub-Saharan Africa and Central-Western Asia, and higher among immigrants from the Americas [54].…”

“…Overweight and Obesity Among Adult Immigrants to Italy from Sub-Saharan Africa, Central-Western Asia, and the Americas In 2012, there were nearly three million foreign citizens in Italy, according to the Italian National Institute of Statistics [53]. Currently, there are almost 5 million non-Italian citizens in Italy, representing about 8 percent of the country's population [54]. This increase places a greater burden on Italy's health care system.…”

Non-Binary Clients’ Experiences of Psychotherapy: Uncomfortable and Affirmative Approaches

“…There is evidence that sexual and gender minority people present worse mental health conditions if compared to the general population [ 4 , 61 ]. There is a growing need to identify and differentiate the specific forms of stigma affecting the different subgroups of the LGBTQIA+ population in order to increase knowledge and improve the quality of psychological support in clinical settings [ 62 , 63 ]. The research on non-binary people is still lacking, and there is a need to conduct additional studies able to identify the unique forms of stigma and resilience associated with such a population.…”