Looking back: a retrospective study of shared perspectives on gender identity

Abstract

Recent studies examine how families assist gender-diverse individuals in exploring their gender identity. Specifically, there is increasing interest in how gender-diverse people leave subtle clues, or ‘breadcrumbs', for significant others in their lives to signal their gender identity. Previous research indicates that having a supportive partner can significantly influence the outcomes for a gender-diverse person throughout this process. Chapter One begins by providing personal background, sharing my motivation for completing this research journey, alongside a review of the current research context and ethical considerations. As the gender identity disclosure of a young person within a family impacts all members, Chapter Two presents a systematic literature review of current articles investigating the experiences of close family members - parents, grandparents, and siblings – when a young family member makes a gender disclosure. The review included 17 studies. Four main themes were identified through thematic analysis, capturing the shared experiences of parents, grandparents, and siblings: change and transformation; needing to find your role, pressures of societal influences, obstacles on the path, and acceptance. These themes unfold within the context of an overarching ‘emotional storm’, which influences all described experiences. These findings have implications for professionals supporting families as they navigate a young family member's gender disclosure, promoting enhanced support, guidance, and improved communication for all family members. Chapter Three describes an empirical study, exploring the retrospective experiences of a gender-diverse person, alongside a significant other who played an important role following their gender disclosure. Four interviews with dyads (a gender-diverse person and a person of significance to them) were conducted, recorded, and transcribed. Reflexive thematic analysis identified three main themes: ‘What binds us’, ‘What divides us’, and ‘Meeting in the middle’. The findings demonstrate how gender-diverse people and their allies experience the process of gender disclosure, including the strategies employed by both to enhance the resilience of their relationship and how they mitigate the potential stresses and strains they encounter.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Lucy Ann Beynon: orcid.org/0009-0004-5139-0755

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