Trans Feminine Sexual Violence Experiences: The Intersection of Transphobia and Misogyny

Abstract

Trans feminine individuals are at a higher risk of sexual victimization than any other subset of the U.S. population. This New York City (NYC)-based study employed an intersectional framework with a phenomenological interview format to explore the experiences of trans feminine adult study participants with sexual victimization. A total of 10 in-depth interviews with a diverse sample of trans feminine individuals were conducted. Analysis revealed themes specific to (1) the diversity of experiences within sexual victimization, (2) transmisogynistic sexual victimization, (3) internalized transmisogyny and cissexism, and (4) the health consequences of sexual victimization. Recommendations for policy and programmatic enhancements, future research directions, and implications for social workers are provided.