The experience of navigating sexuality for transgender and gender non-conforming people: a meta-ethnographic review

Abstract

Background

The current research builds on a previous review of the literature which explored sexuality during gender transition. There has been increased attention toward TGNC people across academic, political, and healthcare fields since the previous review, as well as shifts in language use and health interventions, justifying a need for more contemporary understandings.

Aim

The current systematic review explores the experience of sexuality during gender transition.

Methods

A meta-ethnography was conducted on 16 papers that focused specifically on TGNC people’s experiences of their sexualities.

Results

The main findings were the intersection of gender and sexuality; the importance of re-writing labels around sexuality, bodies and relationships; (re)negotiating changes in sexual, romantic and/or physical relationships due to transitioning; and changes in a sense of community and belonging.

Discussion

The results have implications for supporting TGNC people navigating their identities by recognizing the multiple and intersecting levels of influence within which they are situated.

Keywords:

• Meta-ethnography
• sexuality
• transgender
• transition

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, Dr Alastair Pipkin, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

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