Ambiguous Loss in Coming Out and Trans*itioning

Little prayer: Ambiguous grief in the LGBTQIA+ movement in Turkey

“…Inevitably bound by clinical frames, she contends that until ambiguous loss is resolved, people cannot move on with their lives: ‘Without some kind of closure, the absent stay present’ (Boss, 1999: 44). Mae- Lynn Germany et al (2019) explore how ambiguous loss manifests in experiences of coming out as trans and gender transitioning. Their chapter aims to provide clinical recommendations for trans people and families struggling with ambiguous loss.…”

“…Their chapter aims to provide clinical recommendations for trans people and families struggling with ambiguous loss. While doing so, they do not reduce coming out or transitioning to loss, but try to ‘create space for validating these experiences and avoiding further disenfranchisement’ (Germany et al, 2019: 113). From social relationships to the ‘past selves’ of which trans people speak before/during/after their processes of transitioning, the authors trace ambiguous loss, and strongly emphasize the significance of naming and validating the loss/es.…”

“…From social relationships to the ‘past selves’ of which trans people speak before/during/after their processes of transitioning, the authors trace ambiguous loss, and strongly emphasize the significance of naming and validating the loss/es. ‘In working with ambiguous loss’, they expand on Pauline Boss’ (2006) works, ‘treatment goals surround resiliency, i.e., learning to both tolerate ambiguity and change, and move forward despite uncertainty’ (Germany et al, 2019: 121).…”