Transgender individuals experience differential treatment based on whether they identify as transmen or transwomen, reflecting the deeply entrenched gender hierarchies of a patriarchal society in India. Although both groups encounter social criticism and marginalization, the nature of these experiences differ significantly. The present study explores the distinct lived experiences of transmen and transwomen from a patriarchal perspective.
Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 30 transgender individuals (18 transmen and 12 transwomen) aged between 18 and 25 years. Using the Grounded Theory method, the analysis generated one core category along with multiple categories and subcategories that captured the diverse experiences of each group. Findings suggest that the differential social value attributed to masculinity and femininity in India shapes these experiences profoundly.
Transmen, assigned female at birth and later identifying with masculinity, were frequently reminded of the perceived inferiority of their biological sex. Their unique stressors included intensified gender dysphoria due to female school uniforms, increased parental restrictions
following pubertal bodily changes, and the absence of gender-neutral restrooms. In contrast, transwomen—assigned male at birth but identifying with femininity—often faced rejection and heightened stigma for associating with a socially devalued gender identity. Their experiences included pressure to conceal feminine traits, expulsion from family homes due to perceived shame, and discrimination in securing rental accommodation.
Overall, transwomen appeared to face a greater number of social and structural challenges, reflecting the subordinate positioning of femininity within patriarchal norms.