Benjamin Jordan
Research Mentor: Wesley Correll-King
Mentor Department: Population Studies Center, Institute for Social Research, Other
Author(s): Not Available
Session: Session 3 (11:00 AM – 11:50 AM)
Presentation Type: Poster 56
Abstract
Despite the increasing research with transgender communities in recent years, there is limited research on transgender adults over 50 and, in particular, older transgender adults of color. The aim of this specific analysis is to determine how positive experiences in a transgender person’s youth can impact their perception of younger transgender individuals, their general contentment later in life and how that relates to the negative experiences throughout their life. 16 interview transcripts from transgender people of color over 50, living in the Midwest were analyzed and coded using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2022). During the initial analysis, a pattern became apparent. Participants who reported at least one safe place or connection in their youth were generally less likely to lash out at the younger generation than those who did not report any. Those who had a safe space tended to focus on creating new safe spaces for the younger generation and those who come after them, while those who had no safe space lashed out at the younger generation and tended to isolate themselves much more, often directly citing their fear as the reason for their isolation. These findings can be used to suggest that safety in a person’s youth is incredibly important for their future mental and social wellbeing. Those who have no experience of true safety become hyper-vigilant, always expecting danger around every corner. Those who have that safety net as a child, adolescent, or young adult have a base of reference for what safety can look like, and as a result don’t have the need to lash out or isolate
