Stress and coping amongst cisgender male partners of transgender women

Abstract

The cisgender male partners of transgender women have received little attention beyond their sexual behaviour. This is an issue, as marginalisation and social environments determine sexual behaviour and subsequent health outcomes. This article assesses in-depth interviews with cisgender male partners of transgender women in Atlanta and Baltimore, USA. Analysis suggests men experience minority stress that may lead to ameliorative coping processes such as coming out and LGBTQ group affiliation. Specifically, the interviews identify stressful, marginalising reactions from family and friends concerning men’s relationships with transgender women. In turn, men described uniquely supportive ties to LGBTQ communities, which included ongoing relationships with transgender women, having close sexual and gender minority friends, and occupying notably LGBTQ spaces such as Pride events. The LGBTQ social connectivity of the cisgender male partners of transgender women could prove critical to future targeted HIV prevention efforts.

Keywords:

• Minority stress
• LGBTQ
• cisgender male partners of transgender women

Acknowledgements

The author thanks the editor, four anonymous reviewers as well as Erin Cooney, Mannat Malik, Derek Dangerfield and Jordan White for their feedback. The author is especially appreciative of Tonia Poteat who provided mentorship and served as principal investigator to the study.

Disclosure statement

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author.