In this thesis, I explored the role of community in the gender affirmation process of transgender individuals in Slovenia. Among other things, I also examined the importance of social work in providing higher-quality support and assistance to transgender individuals and the transgender community. The aim of the research was to answer questions about how transgender people experience the meaning of community and which forms of mutual help and support are most valuable to them. I focused on the experiences of transgender individuals with transition, the obstacles they face, access to information, connection and mutual support within the community, and their needs for professional support during the transition process. The theoretical part is divided into three thematic sections: transgender identity (gender construction, transition, discrimination), community (informal ties, the significance of community, mutual support), and social work (its role in developing and supporting community and implementing trans-inclusive practices). I also included findings from Slovenian studies and drew on the work of transgender authors. The empirical part is based on qualitative research involving six participants, with whom I conducted semi-structured interviews and analyzed the data using open and axial coding. The findings show that community plays a crucial role in the transition process, as systemic shortcomings and the lack of knowledge among professionals often force transgender individuals to seek support within the community. The issue of the centralization of LGBT+ support in the Central Slovenia region is also highlighted. The thesis contributes to the understanding of the importance of community and the decentralization of the LGBT+ landscape, and it emphasizes the need for inclusive and accessible professional support and assistance—both from social workers and other professionals.
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