Latinx fathers of transgender and gender diverse people: Journey toward acceptance and role of culture

• Published date: 01 October 2023
• Author: Manuel Teran,Roberto L. Abreu,Emily S. Tseung,Jeanett Castellanos
• Date: 01 October 2023
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12799

RESEARCH

Latinx fathers of transgender and gender diverse

people: Journey toward acceptance and role of culture

Manuel Teran

1

|Roberto L. Abreu

2

|Emily S. Tseung

3

|

Jeanett Castellanos

4

1

Department of Counseling, Higher

Education, and Special Education, University

of Maryland, College Park, MD

2

Department of Psychology, University of

Florida, Gainesville, FL

3

Department of Counseling Psychology,

University of Denver, Denver, CO

4

School of Social Sciences, University of

California, Irvine, CA

Correspondence

Roberto L. Abreu, Department of Psychology,

University of Florida, 945 Center Dr, #238,

Gainesville, FL, USA, 32603.

Email: rabreu26@ufl.edu

Abstract

Objective: This article reports on a qualitative study, phe-

nomenological approach, with a sample of Latinx fathers

of transgender and gender-diverse people.

Background: Research shows that acceptance by parental

figures is crucial for the development and well-being of

transgender and gender diverse people. However, little

research has focused on the experiences of fathers. Specific

to Latinx fathers, cultural values, beliefs, and traditions

might be instrumental in their journey toward accepting

their transgender and gender diverse child.

Methods: A descriptive, phenomenological approach was

used in this study with Latinx fathers (N=8). In-depth,

semistructured interviews were completed to explore the

lived experiences of the fathers.

Results: Qualitative analysis yielded seven main themes:

(a) fear of safety and desire to protect child; (b) difficulties

adjusting to child’s identity; (c) seeking out information

and support from other Latinx families; (d) understanding,

respect, and empathy; (e) increased sense of involvement

and responsibility on LGBTQ+issues; (f)positive trans-

formation at multiple levels; and (g) influence of Latinx

cultural values and beliefs.

Implications: Findings provide important clinical implica-

tions for practitioners, such as creating room for Latinx

fathers to process and explore how different Latinx cul-

tural values (e.g., familismo,machismo,caballerismo, reli-

gion and spirituality) might facilitate or hinder acceptance

of their transgender and gender diverse child.

KEYWORDS

fathers, gender diverse, Latinx, parental figures, transgender

Received: 6 January 2022Revised: 31 August 2022Accepted: 15 October 2022

DOI: 10.1111/fare.12799

© 2022 National Council on Family Relations.

1908 Family Relations. 2023;72:1908–1925.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/fare

An important milestone for transgender and gender diverse people is the decision to “come

out,”also known as the disclosure process of a gender minority identity to others

(Zimman, 2009). For some, the disclosure process may be the first step toward seeking social

support (Brooks et al., 2019) and engaging in a process of transition (Klein et al., 2018).

Researchers have documented the importance of parental figures’reactions and support when

transgender and gender-diverse people come out, as well as how these parental reactions influ-

ence the well-being of transgender and gender-diverse people (Abreu, Lefevor, et al., 2022;

Katz-Wise et al., 2016; Simons et al., 2013). For example, parental acceptance is associated

with decreased symptoms of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and substance use among

transgender and gender-diverse youth (e.g., Abreu, Lefevor, et al., 2022; Jin et al., 2020;

Watson et al., 2019). In addition, research shows that parental figures of transgender and gen-

der diverse people experience a range of emotions when they learn about their child’s gender

identity, including shame, denial, guilt, anxiety, as well as empathy, pride, and support (see

review in Abreu et al., 2019).

There is a dearth of research about the experiences of parental figures of color and parental

figures in the role of a father. Research with parental figures of color of lesbian, gay, bisexual,

transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people show that cultural aspects influence the acceptance

journey of their LGBTQ child compared with their White counterparts (e.g., Abreu, Gonzalez,

et al., 2020; Abreu, Riggle, et al., 2020; LaSala & Frierson, 2012). To our knowledge (the

authors), no study to date has explored the experiences of Latinx

1

fathers of transgender and

gender diverse people.

PARENTING A TRANSGENDER CHILD

Although several studies have explored the experiences of parental figures of LGBTQ people,

most have focused on the experiences of parental figures of sexual minorities. While there are

similarities among the experiences of parental figures of sexual and gender-diverse people,

research shows that parental figures of transgender and gender-diverse people face unique

challenges (Abreu et al., 2019; Rahilly, 2015,2018). For example, in a systematic review of

32 studies, Abreu et al. (2019) found that parental figures of transgender and gender-diverse

people navigate complex processes such as worrying about interactions with medical pro-

viders. Over time, some parental figures develop critical consciousness about their child’s

transgender identity (Rahilly, 2015), which helps them understand how systems of oppression

affect them and their child and many parental figures commit to act against such systems by

engaging in activism (Birnkrant & Przeworski, 2017;Bull&D’Arrigo-Patrick, 2018;Katz-

Wise et al., 2017). In addition, over time many parental figures form strong bonds and feel

closer and more supportive of their transgender or gender-diverse child (Coolhart et al., 2018;

Ishii, 2018).

One theoretical framework that helps better understand the psychological, social, and cul-

tural impacts of parenting a transgender and gender diverse person is secondary minority stress

model (see review in Hidalgo & Chen, 2019). This model posits that parental figures of trans-

gender and gender-diverse people experience distal stressors (e.g., discrimination, exclusion)

and proximal stressors (e.g., negative expectations about the future, challenges helping their

child manage their gender identity concealment and disclosures). These stressors lead to myriad

negative mental health outcomes (e.g., stress, anxiety, depression) associated with navigating

transphobic and cis-normative systems (e.g., Abreu, Sostre, et al., 2022; Brill & Pepper, 2008).

This process could be relevant for Latinx fathers of transgender and gender diverse people given

their unique positionality in navigating different systems of oppression such as racism and

cissexism both within mainstream U.S. culture and Latinx culture (Abreu, Gonzalez,

et al., 2020; Estrada & Arciniega, 2015).

LATINX FATHERS JOURNEY TOWARD ACCEPTANCE1909