Blackness and the Transness Between Us Restricted; Files Only

Abstract

This study explores how transgender individuals across the Black diaspora develop and live their transgender identities by examining the influence of various cultural, social, and legal environments. Although transgender people are legally protected in the United States, identifying as transgender remains criminalized in Nigeria, where social stigma and legal penalties limit visibility and safety. Twenty-eight Nigerian, African-American, and Nigerian-American transgender participants took part in semi-structured interviews that explored identity from multiple angles. This paper begins with cultural context analyses of Lagos, Nigeria, and Atlanta, Georgia, covering legal, social, and historical factors. Next, it provides an overview of patterns among diasporic and gender groups regarding identity questioning, transition barriers, transition stages, sources of support, and threats of violence. Finally, it offers an in-depth discussion of the experiences of two participants whose stories both reflect common patterns and highlight individual journeys. By situating transgender identity within social, cultural, legal, and diasporic frameworks, this research highlights how structural forces shape opportunities and risks for self-expression, underscoring the need for an interdisciplinary approach to understanding identity in global contexts.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Process 1

Research Questions 8

Language Use 8

Methods 10

Participants 10

Interviews 11

Thematic Coding Process and Analysis 11

Case Study 12

Case Study Participant A 12

Case Study Participant B 13

Chapter 1: The Contexts 14

Lagos, Nigeria 14

Legal and Political 14

Social 18

Historical 27

Atlanta, Georgia, USA 30

Legal and Political 31

Social 36

Historical 40

Chapter 2: The Patterns 43

Identity Questioning 45

Barriers to Transitioning 46

Stage of Transition 53

Support Groups 58

Threats of Violence 60

Chapter 3: The Stories 64

Alex (Participant #3) 64

Racial and Ethnic Identity and Transgender Identity Disclosure 64

Religion and Temporary Spatial Constraints in Israel/Palestine 68

Transnormativity and Hierarchy of Transgender Identity Concerns 73

Language, Multiplicity, and the Complexities of Non-Binary Identity 76

Beatrice (Participant #8) 78

Limitations to Access and Acceptance 79

Forced Invisibility and Lack of Agency 82

Social Media for Escape and Authenticity 85

Myth, Passing, and Dysphoria 87

Conclusion: The Implications 91

Limitations and Future Directions 92

Impact 94

Building on the Empirical to Elaborate the Theoretical 95

Appendix 104

Appendix A: Interview Questions 104

References 105

About this Honors Thesis

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• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Emory College
Department	African American Studies
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	African American Studies
Keyword	Black transgender identity
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Erica Britt, Emory University
Committee Members	Alix Chapman, Emory University Karida Brown, Emory University

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