How Transgender and Gender Expansive Youth Cope with Oppression: Making Sense of Experiences and Resiliency Factors

A systematic review and qualitative research synthesis of the lived experiences and coping of transgender and gender diverse youth 18 years or younger

“…Engaging with broader trans communities online could be an introduction to diverse gender identities and the realization they were not alone in their experiences. Learning more about trans-related and intersecting factors within a broader context, including oppressive forces and concurrent stressors, also played an important role in their process of meaning-making and self-understanding (Clark et al., 2020 ; Katz-Wise et al., 2020 ; McGowan et al., 2022 ; Saltis et al., 2023 ; Selkie et al., 2020 : Vrouenraets et al., 2016 ).…”

“…To be recognized by others was described as a deeply existential experience connected to being more valid as human beings (Weinhardt et al., 2019 ). Some youths also underlined the importance of being seen as a whole person, as a human, and not just as their gender identity (Saltis et al., 2023 ), ass described by this young person: I like the gender-pointed questions. But um, I also like answering questions, as kind of me as a whole person.…”

“…Because even though this thing is about my gender identity, I also want to just like, talk about my experience as a person, like who has this or who’s experienced this blah, blah, blah, not as a result of this. 15-year-old, genderfluid (Saltis et al., 2023 , p. 15) Many of the binary youths in the studies were not identified as “trans male” or “trans female” but simply as male or female (Budge et al., 2021 ; McGowan et al., 2022 ; Pullen Sansfaçon et al., 2019 ; Selkie et al., 2020 ). For them, “passing” as their identified gender was of major concern, strongly affecting them both ways.…”

“…This could be expressed as: Before I came out we were flying down to [location] and the airplane guy who was checking in our bags said “ma’am, come along with your son” and that was before I came out and I had just had my hair cut and my mom said that that whole week we were down there people were calling me boy and she said that I was smiling and way happier than I [had been]. 11-year-old, trans boy (Budge et al., 2021 , p 156) TGD youth appreciated engaging in ordinary conversations and creative activities with peers, especially with other trans kids where gender did not have to be an issue at all (Budge et al., 2018 ; Katz-Wise et al., 2020 ; McGowan et al., 2022; Saltis et al., 2023 ). For youth who had not come out “offline,” contact with online peers could help decrease feelings of isolation by finding belonging in an online community (Selkie et al., 2020 ).…”

“…For youth who had not come out “offline,” contact with online peers could help decrease feelings of isolation by finding belonging in an online community (Selkie et al., 2020 ). The importance of finding their own relaxing, nurturing space, whether in trans community groups, at Student Associations with Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), in creative contexts, or maybe online, was underlined by youth, as well as “being their own best friend” (Budge et al., 2018 ; Katz-Wise et al., 2020 ; Kelley et al., 2022 ; Leonard, 2022 ; McKenna et al., 2022 ; Saltis et al., 2023 ).…”