Experiences of Community Connection and Belonging for Sexual Minority Trans Individuals

While previous studies have demonstrated that connection to community may act as a buffer for negative mental health outcomes for marginalized individuals, more recent studies show that trans individuals may have a more complicated relationship with community connection. Participants included 26 sexual minority trans adults who ranged in age from 18-43 (M = 23.88, SD = 5.38). Participants attended one of five focus groups that centered on feelings of community connection and belonging within the sexual minority trans community. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, data were organized within the following categories: (a) Impact of Interlocking Systems of Oppression, (b) Experiences of Community and Belonging, (c) Facilitators of Community and Belonging, (d) Interpersonal Barriers to Community and Belonging, and (e) Mental Health and Wellbeing. Findings from the present study can be utilized to help clinicians assist their sexual minority trans clients as they explore feelings of connection to a broader sexual minority trans community.