The Lived Experiences of Dating Post Social Transition

AbstractA hermeneutic phenomenological study explored transgender or gender non-binary individuals’ dating and relationship experiences after undergoing social transition. Participants had to be at least 18 years old, identify as transgender or gender non-binary, have undergone social transition, and indicate that they had begun pursuing romantic relationships or were “dating.” Twelve participants, aged between 24 and 64, were interviewed. Six themes emerged: (1) life and death, with the thematic element of protective boundaries; (2) misconceptions and the power of the pronoun; (3) the kaleidoscope of intersectionality; (4) internalization and emotional distress; (5) affirmative love; and (6) resiliency and finding hope. Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.