Transgender microaggressions in the context of friendship: Patterns of experience across friends’ sexual orientation and gender identity.

Abstract

Microaggressions are subtle forms of discrimination that occur daily and can manifest as behavioral, verbal, or environmental slights. Whether intentional or unintentional, these microaggressions shape the daily experience of transgender individuals and are central to the way in which they navigate their social and personal relationships. The present study investigated transgender microaggressions in the context of friendships. Participants included 207 adults who self-identified as transgender, transsexual, gender variant, or having a transgender history. Participants completed an online questionnaire and provided both qualitative and quantitative information regarding their experiences of microaggressions in their friendships. Results indicated that the frequency of microaggressions differ across the sexual orientation and gender identity of the friend. Participants reported that although transgender microaggressions were most frequently received from cisgender heterosexual friends, microaggressions were most hurtful when coming from an individual with a similar identity. From their written descriptions of transgender microaggressions, it was clear that the friendship context and the specific identities of the friend in question influenced the way microaggressions were received and interpreted by participants. Given that friendships provide support not often available to transgender individuals through families of origin and through the traditional health care system, discussion focused on the disruption of social support that occurs when microaggressions are present in the context of friendship.