Small acts make a big difference: supporting partners of transgender individuals

Trans people often experience discrimination and marginalisation, and this affects their partners as well.

These resources were developed from findings from psychology student Krystle Chester’s Masters research exploring the experiences of partners of people undergoing a gender transition.

Research findings show that the gender transition process is challenging for the person going through the changes, and can also affect the people around them, particularly their partners. Krystle’s interviews with partners of transgender people revealed some impacts of their partner’s transition on their own gender identity and how they often felt unsupported during the gender transition process. They also spoke about what acts or interventions from others made a difference during this challenging time, and what made them feel supported by others.

The resources draw on the stories of partners to illustrate some of their common experiences and the ways in which their friends and family could be supportive. Five key ways to support transgender people and their partners are highlighted, with each recommendation illustrated by a composite story drawn from the common experiences of the research participants.

The project highlights the importance of small acts such as listening without judgment and using preferred pronouns. The set of resources includes a two-sided information sheet/handout detailing the composite participant stories on one side, and recommendations on how to support on the other.

Each individual story illustrates the importance of one of the five key ways to support and is produced as an A4 or A3 poster: Listen first and foremost, Respect trans people’s pronouns, Support the relationship, Educate yourself and others and Keep your questions respectful. These resources are available to be freely used and distributed by