Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, characterized as one of the greatest international public health problems in recent decades, has had different impacts on the lives of LGBTQ+ couples. More vulnerable populations, such as transgender people, are even more exposed to a series of social, health, and economic disparities during this pandemic. Therefore, this chapter aims to understand the vulnerabilities experienced by trans couples during the COVID-19 pandemic. When we refer to trans couples, we mean marital relationships where at least one spouse declares themself as a trans person. In view of the scarcity of literature on the effects of the pandemic on trans conjugalities, two narratives of trans couples who had lived together for at least 6 months during the COVID-19 pandemic were used. The main vulnerabilities experienced by couples in the pandemic were related to (1) transphobia, family rejection, and the weakening of the couple’s social support network; (2) disparities in mental health and conflicts in the division of household chores; (3) the economic limitations, unemployment, and challenges the couple face in the gender transition process; (4) obstacles to accessing health services and gender dysphoria; and (5) intersectional transphobia. This study can provide evidence for the development and implementation of affirmative and inclusive public policies, as well as interventions that will support the well-being of trans couples in pandemic and post-pandemic times.
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de Lira, A.N., Noronha, S.F., de Mesquita, L.M.F. (2021). Vulnerabilities Experienced by Trans Couples in Times of COVID-19. In: Morais, N.A.d., Scorsolini-Comin, F., Cerqueira-Santos, E. (eds) Parenting and Couple Relationships Among LGBTQ+ People in Diverse Contexts. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-84189-8_8
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