Feminist Participatory Action Research with Transgender Communities: Fostering the Practice of Ethical and Empowering Research Designs

ABSTRACT

Research on topics related to transgender people in psychology has gradually increased over the last 2 decades, with a noted increase in scholarship over the last 5 years (Bockting & Coleman, 2007; DeSutter, Kira, Verschoor, & Hotimsky, 2002; Devor, 2004). However, there has been less attention to the use of participatory action research (PAR) frameworks with transgender people and communities. This article proposes specific strategies for feminist researchers engaging in PAR studies with transgender people and communities that are grounded in feminist theory. These strategies are summarized in a checklist that feminist researchers may use throughout the duration of a study's activities with transgender individuals and communities.

KEYWORDS:

• Empowerment
• participatory action research
• social justice
• trans
• transgender