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Articles

Experiences of female partners of masculine-identifying trans persons

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Pages 62-75 | Received 07 Nov 2012, Accepted 18 Mar 2013, Published online: 13 May 2013
 

Abstract

This paper explores the intimate relationship experiences of the cisgender (i.e., not transgender) female partners of masculine-identifying transgender persons, with a particular focus on these partners' self-understanding of their sexual orientation. Limited research about this topic has been conducted to date. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight South African women who are or have been cisgender female partners of masculine-identifying trans persons. Although the interviews showed that the relationship experiences of female partners of masculine-identifying trans persons are diverse, several common themes emerged in the narratives. The way that participants labelled their sexual orientation did not change from before to after their relationship with a transgender partner. The participants reported varied family and community responses to their relationships. Specific emotional and informational support needs for women with transgender partners were identified.

El presente artículo explora las vivencias experimentadas en sus relaciones íntimas por las parejas femeninas cisgéneras (es decir, no transgéneras) de personas transgéneras que se identifican como masculinas, centrándose, en particular, en la autocomprensión que las mismas tienen de su orientación sexual. Hasta la fecha se han realizado pocos estudios sobre este tema. En este caso, se llevaron a cabo ocho entrevistas semiestructuradas con mujeres sudafricanas que son, o han sido, las parejas femeninas de personas trans que se identifican como masculinas. Si bien las entrevistas demostraron que las vivencias experimentadas en sus relaciones por las parejas femeninas de personas trans que se identifican como masculinas son diversas, de sus narrativas surgieron varios ejes en común. La forma en que las participantes identifican su orientación sexual no cambió después de tener una relación con una pareja transgénera. Las participantes reportaron varios tipos de reacciones tanto de su familia como de su comunidad con respecto a su relación. Asimismo, entre las mujeres con parejas transgéneras se reconocieron necesidades emocionales y de información específicas.

Cet article explore l'expérience des relations intimes des partenaires féminines cisgenres (donc, non transgenres) de personnes transgenres s'identifiant comme masculines, en se concentrant particulièrement sur la compréhension de leur propre orientation sexuelle par ces femmes. À ce jour, peu de recherches se sont penchées sur ce thème. Des entretiens semi-structurés ont été conduits avec huit femmes sud-africaines qui sont ou ont été les partenaires cisgenres de personnes transgenres s'identifiant comme des hommes. Si ces entretiens témoignent d'une diversité dans ces relations, plusieurs thèmes communs ont émergé des récits. La manière dont les participantes qualifiaient leur propre orientation sexuelle est restée la même avant, pendant et après leur relation avec une partenaire transgenre. Les participantes ont fait part de réactions diverses par rapport à ces relations au sein de leur famille et de leur communauté. Nous avons pu identifier des besoins en soutien, tant sur le plan émotionnel que sur celui de l'information, pour les femmes qui ont des partenaires transgenres.

Acknowledgements

Kate Collier's contribution to the manuscript was supported by a Center Grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to the HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies (Grant no. P30 MH43520; Principal Investigator: Anke A. Ehrhardt).

Notes

1. Although only the first author, her research supervisor, and the transcriptionist had access to the interview material for purposes of this research, all of the participants were willing to have their interviews shared with Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action (GALA) for archival purposes.

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