2025/04/06 by Linn Nilsson, Oline Baun, Tsukasa Muraya +1 · 1 voice
Psychology · Social Sciences · #LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy #Gender, Feminism, and Media #Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1080/26895269.2025.2487016
Background Research on the experiences of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals has expanded significantly in recent years. However, there remain gaps in understanding how these experiences unfold across diverse cultural settings, particularly in non-Western contexts. This study seeks to contribute to the growing body of literature by exploring the lived realities of TGD individuals in Japan and Sweden.Aim This study explored how TGD individuals in Japan and Sweden navigate self-expression, societal expectations, and personal well-being. Rather than making broad cultural comparisons, the study focused on how individual experiences are shaped by societal structures and attitudes.Methods A total of 10 TGD individuals, aged 20 to 85 years, participated in the study: three from Japan and seven from Sweden. The material consisted of five in-depth interviews (two from Japan and three from Sweden) and a written inquiry (one from Japan and four from Sweden). Reflexive Thematic Analysis was used to analyze the data.Results The analysis revealed the overarching essence: The pursuit of acceptance, supported by three themes: The first Navigating concealment and the journey toward self-acceptance captures both the struggle of hiding and repressing one’s identity, as well as the path toward embracing oneself. The second theme: Balancing visibility and safety—highlighting the tension between being visible in one’s identity and mitigating risks of rejection by adjusting behavior and disclosure. The third theme Societal progress amidst persistent prejudices—revealing a mix of stigma and growing acceptance, especially in navigating gender-segregated spaces and societal attitudes.Conclusions The study highlights how TGD individuals in Japan and Sweden navigate self-acceptance and social recognition within differing cultural contexts. Despite varying levels of societal support, participants shared common experiences of concealment, risk management, and structural barriers, underscoring the ongoing need for inclusive policies and community-based support.