Exploring gender expression: Experiences of transgender youth in out-of-home care

Background: Gender expression is crucial for transgender youth's self-identity, serving to navigate reactions and foster safety, empowerment, belonging, and social acknowledgment. Objective: The present study aims to explore the experiences of gender expressions among transgender youth who aged out of out-of-home care in Israel. Methods: The study employed a constructivist grounded theory approach. Twenty-two in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with transgender youth aged 16–32 (Mage = 22.2). Results: The findings highlight four main spaces in which transgender youth describe their experiences: 1) The out-of-home care space, in which youth inquire about their identity; 2) The public space, which exemplifies the reactions of society; 3) The sex work space, which presents different motivations to engage in sex work; and 4) The intrapersonal space, which includes self-harm experiences and feelings of regret. Conclusions: The experiences of the transgender youth regarding their gender expressions can be understood along a spectrum ranging from connection to disconnection with their bodies. Furthermore, the findings reveal an ongoing tension and internal dialogue between inner identity and external presentation, namely, the struggle between expressing their gender and conforming to social expectations. These findings point to a unique set of needs for effective interventions to assist in developing positive body image and resilience.