Publication year
2010
Citation Title
Creating spaces to support transgender youth.
Journal Name
Prevention Researcher
Journal Volume
17
Issue Number
4
Page Numbers
17-20
DOI
10.1037/e509042011-005
Summary
Transgender youth encounter unique experiences and thus have particular needs. Researchers conducted focus groups with 36 transgender youth to identify their unique experiences and needs and their recommendations for how programs can best support transgender youth. Multiple youth expressed concerns centered on the experience of harassment and systems for giving feedback to programs.
Key Findings
Transgender youth reported specific needs with regard to medical care, housing, work, school, and bathrooms.
These youth highlighted the need for protection from harassment and systems to report harassment if and when it does occur.
It was important to transgender youth that program staff be educated about transgender issues and open to feedback about the community center.
The availability of gender-neutral bathrooms was important for transgender youth, who reported experiencing increased harassment in bathrooms segregated by gender.
Implications for Military Professionals
Engage in conversations with transgender youth regarding their needs and experiences
Advocate for transgender youth to ensure that their unique need are being met
Implications for Program Leaders
Create systems for youth to report harassment and give general feedback about the program
Develop rules and procedures that foster an environment without harassment
Implications for Policy Makers
Recommend training for professionals who work with military families regarding the experiences of transgender youth and their needs
Continue to support the development of inclusive programs for youth from military families
Methods
Researchers conducted focus groups at LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) youth centers during weekly transgender support groups.
Groups consisted of 3 to 16 participants and lasted between 1.5 and 2 hours.
Youth were asked about their perceptions of the needs of transgender youth, their experiences in community centers, and their recommendations for supporting transgender youth.
Responses were coded to identify common themes throughout youth responses.
Participants
Participants were 36 transgender youth between the ages of 12 and 23 years.
With regard to race/ethnicity, 61% of participants were Black, 16% were Latino, 14% were White, and 9% were multiple races/ethnicities.
Of the youth, 78% identified as being female-to-male transgender and 22% identified as being male- tofemale transgender.
Limitations
Researchers did not report what percentage of youth spoke about each of the identified themes, so it is unclear whether some themes emerged more universally than others.
Youth who participated in the focus groups were all attending transgender support groups at an LGBT community center; the experiences of these youth may be different from the experience of youth who do not have that same type of support.
There was a wide range in the age of the youth with no mean age reported. It is unclear how these needs and experiences may differ over adolescence and into young adulthood.
Avenues for Future Research
Consider the experience of youth who do not have access to transgender support groups or LGBT community centers
Examine the way needs and experiences of transgender youth change over adolescence and young adulthood
Identify the needs and experiences that are most salient among the population of transgender youth as a whole
Focus
Civilian
Target Population
Population Focus
Abstract
This article explores the opportunity to create spaces within the family, school, and community that specifically promote the well-being of transgender adolescents and young adults. When social contexts are supportive, transgender youth report significantly less risk. Supportive home and school environments have been linked to better outcomes among transgender youth. In some cases support via youth organizations can mitigate the influences of a negative home or school environment through direct services to youth and their families, outreach to community allies, and advocacy in local policies. The article concludes with recommendations for youth organizations to be inclusive and supportive of all gender identities and expressions.
Abstract Document
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