Trans Masculine Experiences and Practices of Reproduction: An International Exploration

• In Event: 2266 - Family Section Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: 16. LGBTQ Families and Polyamory

Abstract

This paper arises from an on-going qualitative research project funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC): ‘Trans Masculine Experiences and Practices of Pregnancy: An International Exploration’, which addresses the experiences and practices of pregnancy and birth for trans masculine people in the UK, Europe, the US and Australia.

Coupled with technical advances around reproduction, changing attitudes and practices concerning gender diversity across legal, social and cultural realms have allowed for more equal access to fertility technologies for some trans people in many countries in the West. Trans masculine pregnancy shows how shifts in gendered and intimate practices occur within changing social institutions and cultural understandings. Vice versa, such social and cultural transformations impact on how individuals live their gendered and intimate lives.

The paper first sets out the context, aims and methodology of the presenter's research project on trans reproduction. It moves on to draw on existing literature to explore trans practices and experiences of parental ‘becoming’, Next, it considers the demographics of trans parent families and explores issues of social perception and discrimination.

The paper then considers five substantive themes: ‘coming out’; family dynamics; the impact of transition on family systems, identities and social roles; the strengths of trans parent families; and clinical practice towards trans parents and families.

Finally, the paper identifies existing gaps in the research on trans parents and families and indicates the ways in which the project ‘Trans Masculine Experiences and Practices of Reproduction: An International Exploration’ seeks to shape future directions of the field and, in particular, to offer new considerations for sociological studies of gender; sexuality; intimacy, family and kinship; and the body.

Authors

• Sally Hines, University of leeds

• Carla A. Pfeffer, University of South Carolina

• Kierra B Jones, University of South Carolina

• Ruth Pearce, University of Leeds

• Damien Riggs, Flinders University

• Francis Ray White, University of Westminster

• Elisabetta Ruspini, University of Milano