HEALTH EXPERIENCES OF TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NONCONFORMING COLLEGE STUDENTS AND THEIR PERCEPTION OF THE EFFECTS OF GROWING MEDIA COVERAGE

People who identify as transgender and/or gender nonconforming are a historically marginalized group who experience inequities in care. The purpose of this study was to explore, via semi-structured interviews, the healthcare experiences of participants and their perceptions of the impact of expanding social visibility on the ability to access healthcare and information for college students who identify as transgender and/or gender nonconforming. Participant findings indicate that the transition to college offered autonomy which ameliorated some barriers imposed by parental involvement and the opportunity to embrace their identity. Additional themes included conflicts between the benefits and barriers of visibility, issues of intersectionality and problems of erasure that act as barriers to care. Use of media for health promotion requires further exploration