Gender Identity Development among Transgenders in Odisha

Abstract

Transgender identity development model given by Gagne, Tewksbury, and Mc Gaughey in 1997proposed that the period of identity exploration was often very long, but there tended to be threemajor outcomes or desired outcomes. The transsexual MTFs (Male to Female) desired to transformcompletely to women. The cross-dressing men sought opportunities to vary their identitypresentation, both publicly and privately. And last, the gender radicals desired recognition astransgendered.Present study explores the nature of gender identity development and coming out experiencesamong transgender people. Major focus is given to transgender community in Odisha. The studytrie to analyze the role of social stigma and discrimination in identity formation and coming outexperiences, and to explore how social support mediate one’s psychological well being and thereby affect one’s gender identity. The discovery of one’s sexual orientation being toward the samegender can be a shock, and sometimes it may lead to identity crisis, which without accurateinformation and support may manifest into a traumatic experience.