Presentation by Pacific NorthWell's LGBT+ affirmative counselor, Kristen Martinez, M.Ed., Ed.S., LMHCA, NCC, of a research proposal about discrimination against transgender-identified individuals within the larger LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community as a whole.

1. A Phenomenological Exploration
of Transgender People’s
Experiences Within the LGBT
Community
Kristen Martinez

2. Introduction
• Transgender persons “experience a
mismatch between their biological sex and
their psychological awareness of gender,
feeling more comfortable in the identity of the
other gender” (Wester et al., 2010).
• Though studies of LGB (lesbian, gay,
bisexual) individuals are common, knowledge
and research of the life experiences of
transgender persons is needed in order to
more effectively counsel these clients.

3. Literature Review
• Stigma is “a mark of disgrace associated with a particular
circumstance, quality, or person” (“Stigma”, n.d.).
• Though T is included in the LGBT umbrella, transgender
people still experience stigma (Singh et al., 2011).
• “[T]ransgender populations experience more intense
discrimination and victimization than LGB populations
because they challenge cultural norms related to both
sexuality and gender” (Clements-Noelle et al., 2006).
• Being both non-trans and non-hetero enables LGB persons to
form a close ingroup, whereas T persons may remain in the
outgroup (Morrison, 2010).

4. Research Question
• “How do transgender individuals
experience their positioning within the
LGBT community with regard to stigma?”

5. Method
• A phenomenological research design was
chosen in order to more fully understand
the essence of the lived experiences of
transgender individuals as members of the
LGBT community.

6. Participants
• Participants were self-identified
transgender individuals living in the
Gainesville, Florida, area who were willing
to describe their lived experiences in the
LGBT community.

7. Procedure
• Snowball sampling was used to identify
participants.
• Participants from the local gay club, UC, and
the local university’s Pride Student Union
organization were interviewed, then asked to
give names of other transgender persons
who could potentially become participants.
• This research study was reviewed and
approved by the IRB.

8. Instrumentation
• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the
participants. Sample questions include:
• “How has your status as transgender facilitated your
involvement with the LGBT community?”
• “Do you find yourself a valued member of the LGBT
community? Describe what this feels like for you.”
• “Have you ever felt excluded from the LGBT
community? If so, what was this like? If not, have you
ever felt that someone else has been excluded?”
• “Is there a difference with whom you are close with in
the LGBT community with regard to their sexual
orientations and gender identities?”

9. References
• Clements-Noelle, K., Marx, R., & Katz, M. (2006). Attempted suicide among
transgender persons: The influence of gender-based discrimination and victimization.
Journal of Homosexuality, 51, 53-69.
• Morrison, E. G. (2010). Transgender as ingroup or outgroup? Lesbian, gay, and
bisexual viewers respond to a transgender character in daytime television. Journal of
Homosexuality, 57, 650-665.
• Singh, A. A., Hays, D. G., & Watson, L. S. (2011). Strength in the face of adversity:
Resilience strategies of transgender individuals. Journal of Counseling &
Development, 89, 20-27.
• Stigma. (n.d.). In Oxford Reference. Retrieved from
http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20111007171501221
• Wester, S. R., McDonough, T. A., White, M., Vogel, D. L., & Taylor, L. (2010). Using
gender role conflict theory in counseling male-to-female transgender individuals.
Journal of Counseling & Development, 88, 214-219.