Transitioning Together: Narratives of Sexuality and Intimacy in Partners of Trans People

Abstract

Historically trans people have been advised that the gender role transitional process will undoubtedly result in the breakdown of their relationships. Research into trans people’s sexuality is growing, yet research into the sexuality of cisgender partners, in the context of their partners’ transition, is sparse. This project presents an in-depth narrative analysis of six cisgender women who have been partnered with trans identified individuals. The findings are presented through individual overall impressions of the participants and the collective narratives told. The main story plot that emerged was ‘the quest to stay together’ which is told through sub plots of identity, the body and invisibility. Further sub plots are offered in regards to the support participants accessed to assist in ‘the quest to stay together’. The analysis includes the ways in which narrators drew on, and/or challenged, social discourses of gender and sexuality and also performative aspects of identity. Clinical implications, limitations of the study and future research are also discussed.