Impact of gender transition on sexuality and diversity of practices: a qualitative analysis of reddit discussions

Abstract

<h3>Objectives</h3> Transgender people are a heterogeneous and growing population in visibility and numbers. There is little research on their sexuality, especially outside of a heterosexual binary approach. The physical, psychological, and social changes associated with transition make knowledge developed about cisgender people difficult to apply. Internet remains the preferred source to access information. In addition, transgender people face documented difficulties in accessing health care systems, including lack of knowledge among professionals and discrimination. The objective of this study is to report on the diversity of practices and issues related to the impact of transition on sexuality. It is conducted in a participatory manner, under the direction of a transgender person and in connection with the community. <h3>Methods</h3> A quantitative content analysis was performed on a pool of most relevant threads and comments about the topic "asktransgender" on Reddit. In accordance with the participatory approach, the relevant threads have been selected by two researchers, one of whom is transgender. Corpus analysis techniques were used to highlight the potential impacts of transition on sexuality and the diversity of practices. Secondly, the results were analyzed by gender and experience of transition. <h3>w?>Results</h3> Reddit is mostly used by transgender people asking for advice to other users about behavioral and hormonal impact of gender transition, as well as sexual practices outside of gender binarity. The results show a significant gap between research evidence and the needs of those involved. Social exclusion and fear of violence appear as central aspects of actual or anticipated sexual experiences. <h3>Conclusions</h3> There is an important need to develop research and clinical approaches to support transgender people in maintaining and developing positive sexuality. This field largely questions the established boundaries between normal and pathological and raises epistemic questions about the sexological approach and more broadly about the Western social conception of gender and its impact on sexuality. <h3>Conflicts of Interest</h3> For this presentation, the authors declare having no conflict of interest.