“Trans”-Ness and Shaming: A Thematic Analysis of Shame Among South Asian Transmen/Transmasc

A transgenderTransgender person is someone who does not affirm the biological sex assigned to their birth. TransgenderTransgender persons often experience dysphoria related to their genderGender identity, and the process of “transition” helps them to cope. The term TransgenderTransgender involves Trans-man, Trans-woman, and non-binary or genderqueer individuals. A transman is a person who was assigned female at birth. They may or may not undergo “sex reassignment surgery” or medical transition. TransmenTransmen are often subject to discrimination, known as “Transandrophobia,” which results in shamingShaming, harassment, and alienation. ShamingShaming of transmenTransmen often comes from family, peers, and support system, which impact their mental healthMental health from various aspects. The study focuses on understanding the various sources of shameShame encountered through in-depth interviews with transmen. The study further aims to explore the systemic impact that shamingShaming has upon transmenTransmen and what is the outcome of such influences. The interview aims to tap into the mental healthMental health aspects of transmenTransmen as a result of shamingShaming. The variables in focus are coping styles, resilience, beliefs, self-image, social attitude, and help-seeking behaviors resulting from shamingShaming. The study follows a thematic approach where the emerging themes from the in-depth interviews will be analyzed in detail to form a theoretical framework for shamingShaming among TransmenTransmen. The analysis adopts a feminist approach and Kristeva’s concept of AbjectionAbjection to elaborate on the effect of shamingShaming among transmenTransmen.