Transgender children are at an overall heightened risk for negative mental health consequences (Perez-Brumer et al., 2017), and the religious beliefs of family members and healthcare practitioners may have the potential to cause emotional harm to transgender youth (Anderson & McGuire, 2019). Despite these claims, research regarding the role religion plays in the lives of transgender youth is scarce. Information regarding the impact of religion on transgender children is important in order to understand how to better support them. To gain insight into the lives and development of transgender youth, a larger, longitudinal study including 49 primary caregivers of transgender children (ages 6 to 12 years at T1) was conducted using telephone interviews and questionarries. The current study utilized a thematic analysis to code religious content in interview transcripts. This analysis aimed to understand the experiences that participants have had with religion, both positive and negative. Themes identified in this analysis pointed to religion as being both a benefit to and barrier of supporting transgender children. Some participants reported that having limited access to religious institutions, losing religious family and friends, and anticipating or experiencing rejection from others acted as barriers to providing community acceptance to their transgender children. Other participants described religion as beneficial to their families, in that it was a source of support, especially when LGBTQ+ church members and leaders were visible, and when religious institutions were open to change. This information should be used to further educate the community by adding to the current literature about the way religion can impact the lives of transgender individuals. Regardless of career, being aware of and understanding how to better support transgender individuals is imperative to being an active ally in society.
Authors: Gianna Valentic & Hannah Seinfeld
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Katherine Kuvalanka, Family Science and Social Work Department
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