“I feel like I’m living the authenticity of my being”: gender identity developmental trajectories of trans youth in Portugal

Abstract

Background

Research into the identity development of trans people has been emerging, but there is still a need for further study. While significant processes for identity construction take place during late adolescence and early adulthood, it is important to understand which milestones are associated with the trajectories of gender identity (GI) development.

Aims

The present study aimed at exploring the gender identity (GI) developmental trajectories of young Portuguese trans people and the processes associated with them.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with sixteen young people aged between 16 and 26, recruited through LGBTI+ formal associations and informal online groups, as well as through psychology and sexology consultations. The interviews were conducted face-to-face and online and were analyzed through thematic analysis, which aims to identify, analyze and report patterns in a qualitative data series.

Results

Six themes were identified and linked to developmental milestones. These were related to: (1) Discomfort in relation to the gender assigned at birth and its social roles; (2) Body discomfort; (3) Discovery of trans identities; (4) Disclosure of GI; (5) Perceived support; (6) Authentic living of GI. Linked to these themes, four sub-themes were identified as well.

Discussion

Based on the life course theory, moments of transition and turning points were identified, as well as social influences such as historical time and place. Thereby, this study contributed to a better understanding of trans youth’s GI developmental trajectories in the Portuguese context, where the study on this topic is still emergent, also contributing to inform the path to be taken at the international level regarding socio-legal policies concerning trans youth.

Keywords:

• Developmental trajectory
• life course theory
• qualitative study
• trans youth

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.