Intersectional Definitions of Outness

This thesis explored how trans participants define, give meaning to, and experience outness, as well as how such may be impacted by race and ethnicity. This thesis was born out of the Trans Healthcare Study run by the Sexuality and Gender Diversity Lab at the University of Guelph. As such, secondary data analysis was conducted on a singular, open-ended question from the original study. A total of 213 responses were coded and analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. While the analysis remained predominantly general, there was an added focus on respondents of colour. Three master themes were found, along with various layered sub-themes. Results suggest that outness remains a highly personalized component of trans participants’ lives, one influenced by relational and sociocultural contexts. Results also demonstrate collective experiences of risk and resilience. The strengths and limitations of the analysis are discussed, along with the implications of the study for clinical practice.