To Örebro University

LGBTQ+ people and especially trans* people are at an increased risk for developing mental and physical illness compared to cis people. This is explained by the higher risk of experiencing minority stress, that is, the increased risk for being exposed to both external stressors, such as violence, threats, and questioning, as well as internal stressors, such as worry about being exposed and internalized transphobia.

Despite this, many trans* people do well and are generally satisfied with their lives. The important, focus on stressors and ill-health can therefore be problematized as giving a one-sided picture of trans* peoples' lives. It can be assumed that a trans* identity can open up new possibilities and experiences that are experienced as positive. Few international studies and no Swedish study had been done to investigate positive aspects of identifying as trans*.

The present study aims to answer the question if positive aspects, here called minority joy, exist and how they are experienced and described by trans* people. Preliminary data has been analyzed, based on interviews with five trans men and six trans women. Ten more interviews have been done and are being transcribed. And more interviews specifically with people with non-binary identities are ongoing.

Preliminary results show that trans* people describe positive aspects in several areas: Authenticity, Gender euphoria, To break norms, Activism, Unique understanding from living in two genders, Community, and Absence of negative emotions.

The findings are in line with previous positive aspects, but also contribute important information that has not been conceptualized in a Swedish context before. This information can potentially be important for both trans* people, health care givers, and society at large to nuance the ongoing debate. The concept of minority joy could hopefully be a vital part of LGBTQ+ research and minority research in general and contribute to a less problem focused perspective on minority peoples' lives.