The present study aimed to expand current understandings of gender dysphoria by explicating the social context in which it is experienced and by centering the analysis on the lived experience of trans individuals. Data were collected online from a nonclinical sample composed of 610 transgender participants.Participants answered 2 open-ended prompts to describe their gender dysphoria as experienced in a social context. Thematic analysis was used to code the data and determine main themes. Four socially salient themes emerged regarding gender dysphoria: 1) External Triggers; 2) Internal Processing; 3) Interruption of Social Functioning; and 4) Moderated by Transition. When describing their experiences, participants identified external triggers for dysphoria that were social in nature as well as internal processes that occurred in response to those triggers. Often this led to an interruption of social functioning. For some of our participants, gender dysphoria was moderated by transition. Results of the present study suggest that trans individuals' experience of gender dysphoria is greatly impacted by social context. Discussion focuses on the way the present findings may be best understood in relation to the literature on minority stress. Consideration of gender dysphoria as a proximal stressor may help to conceptually disaggregate gender dysphoria from psychological stress in the way we frame mental health considerations for trans individuals.

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Microaggressions can shape the everyday experiences of individuals who identify as transgender, and how they approach their relationships. Microaggressions involve subtle forms of discrimination that can come across as environmental, behavioral, or verbal slights. The present study focuses on transgender microaggressions that occur in the context of romantic relationships. Participants included 343 adults who identified as transgender, transsexual, gender non-conforming, and/or having a transgender history.These participants were either currently in a romantic relationship, or had been in a romantic relationship within the last five years. Participants completed an online survey and provided information regarding their experiences of microaggressions from their romantic partners. Responses were analyzed via thematic analysis resulting in four relationship-salient themes: 1) questioning identity; 2) gendered expectations; 3) public negotiation of transgender identity and relationship; and 4) relationship dynamics.Discussion focuses on understanding how microaggressions are shaped by expectations of the gender binary and how they serve to reinforce power differences in romantic relationships of transgender individuals.