Exploring the lived experience experiences of coming out as transgender

Background: Coming out is used as a metaphor for sharing one’s minority sexual or gender identity. Studies on transgender people have previously concentrated on experiences of their social relationships, gender dysphoria, mental health and social support. Due to limited studies on the transgender coming out experience this review aimed to synthesise and analyse research focussed on this event.

Method: A systematic literature search was carried out across three databases (PsycInfo, ASSIA and Taylor and Francis) on 31 July 2023. Papers were quality assessed using the Critical Skills Appraisal Tool for qualitative studies and a thematic analysis was undertaken to generate results.

Results: Five papers were identified from database searches and six from hand searching. Five overarching themes were developed: ‘Power and privilege’, ‘Managing stigma’, ‘Weathering family and social reactions’,’ The role of support systems’ and ‘Cultural context and attitudes’.

Conclusion: Coming out is negotiated through the reactions of those disclosed to and based on the societal and cultural narratives they consider acceptable. While some transgender people may choose to disclose their gender identity and experience this as liberating, the majority of transgender people approach coming out with caution and feel at risk if obligated to disclose. This indicates that professionals working with transgender people should maintain an awareness of interpersonal and structural stigma and work to reduce this through improving resources and education within services. Limitations of the review’s applicability to transgender people and future directions for research are discussed.