The family and romantic relationships of trans and gender diverse Australians: an exploratory survey

Abstract

The present paper contributes an Australian focus to the growing body of research on trans and gender diverse people's family and romantic relationships. A survey designed by the authors was completed by 160 trans or gender diverse Australians. A negative correlation was found between discrimination from families of origin and perceptions of support, and conversely a positive correlation was found between perceptions of support and emotional closeness. Analysis of open-ended responses suggested that support was primarily constituted by (1) emotional support, (2) utilising correct pronouns and names, and (3) financial support. Discrimination by families of origin was primarily constituted by (1) refusal to use correct pronouns and names, (2) exclusion from family events, and (3) pathologising responses. The findings in regard to romantic relationships suggest that trans women were more likely than trans men or gender diverse people to experience challenges in negotiating romantic relationships. A negative correlation was found between difficulties in negotiating romantic relationships and belief in the likelihood that an “ideal” romantic relationship would occur in the future. Difficulties in negotiating romantic relationships were primarily described in terms of (1) anxiety over potential responses, (2) discrimination from potential partners, and (3) lack of self-acceptance. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of these findings for clinical practice.

Keywords:

• discrimination
• families of origin
• gender diverse
• romantic relationships
• support
• trans

Acknowledgments

We begin by acknowledging the sovereignty of the First Nations people upon whose land we work and live. Thanks must go to the participants for giving their time in completing the survey reported here, and to the two reviewers whose comments and suggestions helped strengthen the paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This project received no specific funds. It was supported by The Bouverie Centre, La Trobe University.

Notes on contributors

Damien W. Riggs

Damien W. Riggs (PhD) is an associate professor in social work at Flinders University and an Australian Research Council Future Fellow. He is also a Lacanian psychotherapist in private practice.

Henry von Doussa

Henry von Doussa is currently researching in the areas of sexuality, sexual health among men who have sex with men, relationships and family. He is currently working at The Bouverie Centre, La Trobe University.

Jennifer Power

Jennifer Power (PhD) is a sociologist whose work focuses on sexuality, sexual health, relationships, and family studies. She is currently a research fellow at the Australian Research Centre for Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University.