Evaluation of the stigma in transgender's sexual partners

• Published in: European psychiatry Vol. 33; p. S795
• Main Authors: Seyedreza, M, Asadi, M, Eftekhar, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Masson SAS 01.03.2016
• Subjects: Internal Medicine; Psychiatry
• ISSN: 0924-9338; 1778-3585
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.2388

Introduction Gender dysphoria and its treatment have been legalized in Iran since 1976. Study on transgender people in Iran is very difficult. Perhaps, one of the most problems is stigma. Negative attitudes and discrimination in society make them and their partners to be socially isolated. No extensive research has been done entirely on their sexual partners in the field of stigma. Aim The aim of this study is to evaluate the attitude toward stigma of sexual partners of transgender people. If there are problems, what are they? What is the impact of stigma on their life? Method Because there is little information about the research subject, grounded theory methodology was used. This methodology can be used to build a theory. Participants were partners of transgenders who referred from the Forensic Medicine Center to Tehran Institute of Psychiatry and met these inclusion criteria: 1 – being in the relationship for at least 6 months and meet at least one of these criterias: A: they are cohabiting, B: they have regular sexual relationship, C: they recognize each other as their steady partners. 2 – at least 18 years of age. Five males and 6 females participated. All of them had given a written consent. In depth face-to-face and semi-structured interview were used to collect information. Participants were asked to attend to second interview after coding and analyzing the first session. The codes were classified and categories, using the constant comparative method. Conclusion It seems that transgender's sexual partners suffer from the stigma. According to the codes, they suffer from multiple problems in their personal and social life.