A first-of-its-kind study by the University of Michigan, published in Pediatrics journal, found many trans and gender diverse young people experience difficulties regarding dating and relationships, with some reporting being misgendered by partners or experiencing transphobia on dating apps. The report, titled Romantic Relationships in Transgender Adolescents: A Qualitative Study, interviewed 30 trans identifying adolescents to discuss engagement in romantic relationships, disclosure of gender identity in romantic relationships, experience with abusive relationships, and perceived impact of gender-affirming hormone care on romantic experiences.
One transmasculine participant said they had a partner who refused to acknowledge their gender identity, in which their partner “continued to call me her girlfriend and say that she was a lesbian.” A transfeminine respondent also said potential partners misunderstood their identity: “I can’t date gay guys because I’m not a man. I can’t date any straight women since I’m not a man, but I also can’t date any gay women or straight men because they still think I’m a guy. It’s kind of in that weird twilight zone middle space right now.”
Some participants reported transphobia while using dating apps, with two saying their Tinder accounts were locked after being reported for perceived discrepancies between their appearances and stated gender. A handful also described emotional and sexual abuse, with one detailing emotional manipulation within a relationship, with the aim of preventing medical transition, and others reported sexual abuse happening as early as age 14. However, a positive finding of the study was that gender-affirming hormone therapy generally improved trans people’s dating lives and romantic relationships, with one transmasculine respondent saying they had become more “assertive” since receiving treatment.
The study concluded: “Trans adolescents are engaged in romantic experiences before and during social and/or medical transitioning and are cultivating relationships through both proximal peers and online connections. There is perceived benefit of gender-affirming hormone care on romantic experiences. Risk of transphobia in romantic relationships impacts the approach that transgender adolescents take toward romance and influences decisions of identity disclosure. Trans adolescents have experience with relationship abuse in different forms. Providers can incorporate these findings in their approach to counseling and screening when caring for trans youth.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.