Transiting genders: Psychosocial contributions and questions about transgender identity

Transgender identities have recently become a relevant and controversial topic in diverse social sciences interested in gender and power relations, including social psychology. The traditional perspective that considers transgender identities as a deviant form of gender and sexuality has been contested and new psychosocial approaches to these gender trajectories are required. This presentation focuses on two aspects regarding psychosocial approaches to transgender identities. In the first place, we present a qualitative study carried out in Mexico exploring some psychosocial factors playing an important role in the construction of transgender identity and in the social experience of transgender people. The study is conducted with transgender subjects and uses interviews and narrative methodologies to inquire into the participants’ views and perspectives. Results of the study allow discussing three particular aspects: a) the ‘social actors’ significantly involved in the construction of transgender experience in this particular context; b) the conceptions of ‘masculinity’ and ‘femininity’ mobilized by the participants; and c) the forms of violence to which this population is subject to and its relation to psychosocial conceptions and practices. Secondly, we conclude by proposing different ways in which transgender identities and transgender studies can question and transform traditional preconceptions that inform the psychosocial perspective in gender research.