Some transgender individuals experience gender euphoria when they become parents and build strong family bonds. This aspect of the transgender experience often goes unnoticed in media coverage and discussions about anti-trans legislation.
In recent times, there has been a surge in anti-trans bills introduced by 49 U.S. state legislatures. While violence and discrimination against trans individuals are frequently reported in the media, many scholars and activists argue that focusing solely on these negative aspects fails to capture the full range of transgender experiences.
Inspired by movements like the Black Joy Project, which aims to promote healing and community-building among Black individuals through art, trans activists are challenging one-dimensional portrayals of their community by highlighting the unique joys of being transgender.
As part of my research on trans parents, I conducted interviews from 2019 to 2021 with 54 transgender women, including both current and prospective parents from diverse racial and class backgrounds across the United States. I discovered that while many of them have faced discrimination in their journey as parents, they also have fulfilling relationships with their children, often with support from their partners, families, and communities.
Gender euphoria is a term used by scholars and community members to describe the joyful feeling of being in alignment with one’s gender or sex. It differs from gender dysphoria, which refers to the distress and discomfort associated with a conflict between one’s assigned sex and gender identity.
While gender dysphoria is a valid experience for some transgender individuals, it has historically been used by physicians as a means to limit access to gender-affirming care. For instance, doctors may only prescribe hormones to individuals who can provide a letter from a therapist conforming to a narrow understanding of transgender identity that includes expressing hatred for one’s body.
Gender euphoria celebrates feeling comfortable with oneself and how one is perceived by the world. Some transgender individuals have specific goals when transitioning, while others discover new sources of joy and facets of their identity over time.
Many of the trans women I interviewed expressed their gender euphoria in their roles as mothers. For example, one young Black trans woman, whom I’ll refer to as Gloria, finds immense joy in being recognized as a mother and cherishes the experience of seeing her child’s beautiful face every morning.
Others find gender euphoria in their gender expression. Naomi, a white trans woman in her 40s, experienced a moment of euphoria at a nail salon when she realized that her long fingernails, a gender-affirming aspect for her, brought her great happiness.
Transitioning opens up new possibilities for many transgender individuals. When asked about coming out as trans, Adriana, a trans-Latina in her 30s, described it as the happiest day of her life, second only to the birth of her daughter.
While some transgender individuals do face rejection from their families, this is not the case for the majority. In a national survey, 60% of over 27,700 trans adults reported having supportive families. Liza, a white trans woman in her 20s, emphasized that although things may change, her relationship with her brothers remains strong and intact even after her transition.
Trans women also form chosen families with friends, co-workers, and other community members. Building relationships with other trans individuals can have a profoundly positive impact on identity development, emotional resilience, self-acceptance, and a sense of belonging.
For instance, Jane, a young Black trans woman, has a close-knit group of first-time parents whom she considers as her family. They provide each other with support and a sense of community. Jane’s friends are always there for her, bonding with her son and spending quality time together.
In addition to caring for their own children, the trans women I interviewed felt a responsibility to care for their broader community. Some acted as parental figures to LGBTQ+ youth,
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Adapted from: Derek P. Siegel’s article in The Conversation
https://theconversation.com/
Derek P. Siegel
Ph.D. Candidate, Sociology, UMass Amherst