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MONTREAL – A new study from Université de Montréal has shed light on the experiences of young people who have detransitioned, revealing a sense of misunderstanding and misrepresentation in media portrayals. Researchers conducted interviews with 25 individuals aged 16 to 25 across North America, Europe, and Indonesia, all of whom had completed their detransition.
The study, published in Sexuality Research and Social Policy, involved semi-directed interviews between 2020 and 2022. The participants, eight of whom had undergone social transition only and 17 who had undergone both social and medical transitions, expressed recurring themes of social exclusion, misrepresentation in the press, and adverse impacts from dominant narratives surrounding detransitioning.
“They had gone from their assigned-at-birth gender, transitioned to another gender and then either went back to their assigned-at-birth gender or now identify as another gender, such as a non-binary identity,” explained Professor Annie Pullen Sansfaçon, a lead researcher on the study.
A key question posed to participants was how they viewed media and social representations of detransitioning. The study also explored their perspectives on gender, medical experiences of trans people, and access to care.
Researchers emphasized the importance of an “anti-oppressive, gender-affirming approach,” allowing for diverse narratives, whether participants returned to their assigned-at-birth identity with regret or now identified as non-binary.
Many participants reported a lack of available information on detransitioning, particularly from a medical perspective. “The participants told us there was very little detransitioning information available,” said Morgane Gelly, senior research advisor. “Resources on how to detransition, particularly from a medical perspective, are scarce. Some people actually joined this study so they could learn more about the topic.”
The study found that media coverage often presents a one-sided view of detransitioning, focused on regret and suffering, neglecting the nuanced experiences of individuals. “In the dominant narrative, detransitioning is often depicted as a failure or a mistake. But individual experiences are much more nuanced,” Gelly stated.
Researchers also highlighted the political weaponization of detransitioning by anti-trans groups, and the epistemic and testimonial injustices faced by detransitioning youth, whose credibility is often questioned.
“Claiming that detransition is always the consequence of a mistake or some kind of constraint is denying the diversity of experiences,” said Gelly.
The study calls for more nuanced representations of detransitioning to improve support for young people and foster a more inclusive dialogue that respects all gender identities. “We need to foster dialogue between young people who’ve transitioned and those who’ve detransitioned,” said Pullen Sansfaçon. “This will give us valuable insight into their individual experiences and help us improve our practices instead of creating division.”
Disclaimer: This article is based on a study conducted by researchers at Université de Montréal. It is important to acknowledge that detransitioning is a complex and personal experience, and individual experiences may vary. This article does not endorse any specific viewpoint on gender identity or detransitioning. The study highlights the need for more nuanced and respectful discussions on this topic. It is also important to note that this study is based on a small sample size, and further research is needed to fully understand the complexities of detransitioning.
