Sexual and gender identities in transgender men: Fluid and binary perspectives

ABSTRACT

Little is understood about how sexual orientation and gender identity actually interconnect with transgender men. Eight transgender men were interviewed in depth, multiple times, and their perspectives gave insight into how sexual and gender identities are related, and how one informs the other. The present study found fluidity in gender and sexual identities among transgender men, but some trans men were more binary than others with regard to gender. These binary-leaning trans men also tended to be more binary in their sexual orientation. Fluidity in gender in pre-transition often reflected fluidity in sexual orientation. Mental health professionals may gain a better understanding of how the intersectionality of sexual and gender identities manifests in trans men. Implications for practitioners are included.

KEYWORDS:

• Fluid sexual orientation
• gender fluidity
• intersectionality
• trans men
• transitioning

Notes

1. “Trans” as a modifier before the word “person,” or “men/women” is commonly used today to include all transgender or gender nonconforming persons, defined as: “Individuals whose gender identity and expression does not align with their anatomical sex” (Singh, Hays, & Watson, 2011, p. 20).