Transgenderism is a term used as an umbrella term to describe the sexual identities of individuals whose gender identity differs from society's prevailing concepts and expectations of gender. It refers to a socially constructed gender identity that may differ from the sex assigned to an individual at birth. In the case of transgenderism, the disparity between the assigned gender at birth (which the individual has no control over) and their gender identity is central. In my master's thesis, I focused on transgenderism, transgender individuals, and the formation of transgender identity. I was interested in the subjective, societal, and medical aspects of gender affirmation. I explored the formation of transgender identity, its disclosure, and the process of transitioning or affirming gender. I wanted to understand how transgender individuals confront and experience this journey. I conducted a small qualitative research study, including interviews where I engaged with transgender individuals about their life stories. I combined the gathered data and conducted an analysis of these three aspects of gender affirmation. I found that the discomfort and confinement individuals experience in an incongruent gender are so intense that they overshadow any obstacles encountered along the path of transition.
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