A Typology of Pathways to Detransition: Considerations for Care Practice With Transgender and Gender Diverse People Who Stop or Reverse Their Gender Transition

Research and care provider interest in gender detransition has grown in recent years, yet there are limited resources to clinically support the emerging population of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people who stop or reverse their gender transition. Though some research and typologies exist to guide clinicians, no prior typologies are based upon the lived experiences and in-depth narratives of individuals who themselves have detransitioned. Drawing from the concept of transnormativity, the present study introduces a typology of four detransition pathways to address knowledge and practice gaps. Following constructivist grounded theory methodology, this typology was developed empirically by analyzing in-depth interview data gathered from 28 individuals living in Canada who experienced a change in self-conceptualized gender identity after initiating a transition and who ultimately detransitioned. Interviews were virtual, semi-structured, and ranged between 50 and 90 min. Following a thematic and constant comparative method of data analysis, the analysis discovered four discrete detransition subtypes: (a) discrimination and TGD identity repression; (b) gender-affirming hormone discontinuation and identity evolution; (c) binary transition to nonbinary detransition; and (d) detrans identity development within the social context. This article explicates how the broader sociocultural milieu can influence transnormative transition trajectories and identity development processes, and it discusses implications for practice with those who shift or reverse their gender transition.