Support networks of transmasculine and nonbinary young adults during chosen name transition

ABSTRACT

We sought to explore the type and function of support networks of transmasculine and nonbinary young adults (TNBYA) during their chosen name transition. We conducted 12 in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews (2018) to understand who was providing support and how that support was given among Midwestern United States TNBYA who had transitioned from a name given to them at birth to a chosen name. Four support networks were identified: 1) families of origin; 2) chosen family; 3) mental health professionals; and 4) LGBTQ+ community groups. Chosen family and mental health professionals provided the most reliable and consistent support. Families of origin were supportive in some ways but often required intense emotional labour from the TNBYA. Community groups were equally supportive but fraught with obstacles, such as access and lacking racial diversity and sensitivity. The four support networks identified were all described as important to the TNBYA chosen name transitioning process, but they also at times created other obstacles. Clinicians can use this research to help TNBYA identify the support networks that help affirm their identity transition. Future direction for researchers to better understand the complicated functioning of support networks for TNBYA are also provided.

KEYWORDS:

• Gender identity
• support networks
• transmasculine and nonbinary health
• young adults

Acknowledgments

No other writers or employees contributed to the development of this manuscript. We wish to thank our participants for their openness with sharing their stories with us.

Disclosure statement

No competing financial interests exist for any author.

Disclaimer

The results from this study were presented previously at the Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine’s annual conference in 2019. The abstract for that presentation was previously published in The Journal of Adolescent Health, 64(2), S107.

Additional information

Funding

Participant compensation was provided by author 4’s Michigan State University discretionary funds for research completion.

Notes on contributors

Finneran K. Muzzey

Finneran K. Muzzey (they/them) is a doctoral candidate in Human Development and Family Studies at Michigan State University. 

M. Killian Kinney

M. Killian Kinney (they/them) is a doctoral candidate in Social Work at Indiana University School of Social Work. 

Megan K. Maas

Megan K. Maas(she/her), PhD, is an assistant professor in Human Development and Family Studies at Michigan State University. 

Heather L. McCauley

Heather L. McCauley (she/her), ScD, is an assistant professor in Social Work at Michigan State University.