A Partner's Perspective: A Qualitative Exploration of the Experiences of the Female Partners of Trans Feminine Individuals

This study explored the experiences that female identified persons undergo when partnering trans-women through gender transition. Participants completed the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) and a short survey containing demographic questions and open ended questions about the participant's experiences. Participants were asked questions about their experiences before, during, and after gender change. They were divided into four categories based on their BSRI results and were also compared using various demographic categories. It was found that participants' themes were consistent across categories. Participants reported themes of sadness, loss of community, social isolation, and loss of family support. They also reported an increase in marriage satisfaction and sexual satisfaction following gender transition. Overall there was a dichotomy marked by both an increase in love and connectedness in the marriage and a decrease in community connectedness as the couple took on minority status. Further exploration into the needs of this population is warranted and this work could serve as a foundation for future more in depth research.