Beyond just bodies : exploring the identity negotiation and community integration of female partners of trans men

This study examines how non-heterosexual (sexual minority) women perceive the effect\ud of their trans partner???s gender presentation on their relationship and their involvement in\ud and support from LGBT/Queer communities. Data were collected from sexual minority\ud women partnered with trans men via an anonymous Internet survey (n = 48) and three\ud interviews. Community integration was negatively associated with relationship conflict\ud and had a complex affect on satisfaction. Participants identified their support networks,\ud specifically friends and family as important factors in the adjustment to their partner???s\ud transitions. Over 80% of participants reported shifts in their sexual identity labels\ud throughout their life, some as a response to their relationship and regardless of sexual\ud desires. Community organizers and support professionals need to be aware of the effects of transition and the complicated influence of community integration on relationship dynamics to best serve populations of sexual minority women partnered with trans men