Navigating Trans Parenthood: Experiences and Challenges in the Italian Context

Background: Over the past decade, attention to the experiences of transgender and gender nonbinary individuals has grown significantly. Nonetheless, transgender parenthood remains a relatively underexplored area, often marginalized within broader professional and academic discourse, particularly within the Italian context. Recognizing that transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming individuals have diverse identities and experiences, which can significantly shape their pathways to parenthood, transgender parenthood can be conceptualized as navigating parenting roles in alignment with one’s gender identity. As with cisgender families, limited literature highlights that families with transgender parents exhibit significant diversity in structure, sexual orientation, age, disability, and religious, political, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Unlike cisgender parenthood, however, transgender parenthood develops within a context marked by systemic barriers, discrimination, and stigma, along with limited human rights protections, introducing significant challenges for transgender individuals. Methods: This qualitative study (N=10 at present) involves semi-structured interviews with transgender and nonbinary parents in Italy, including people who transitioned at different stages of parenthood. Key themes explored include identity affirmation, parent-child relationships, self-perception as a parent versus parenting realities, and evolving relationships with co-parents and extended families. A thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews aims to identify patterns and dynamics central to transgender parenthood. Results: Participants described how their parenthood often positively contributed to their children’s emotional well-being and openness to diversity. However, some parents encountered societal stigma or discrimination, while others expressed concerns about encountering such challenges. Preliminary findings suggest that transgender parenthood involves navigating complex intersections between societal expectations and personal aspirations for parenting roles. Conclusions: This study provides a deeper understanding of the experiences of transgender families in Italy, aiming to reduce stereotypes, prejudices, and perceived differences often associated with this family setting.