Transgender students’ experience at college

Abstract

Objective: To understand transgender students’ experience at college. Methods: This is a qualitative study, carried out using the Thematic Oral History method. Interviews were conducted with nine trans students from a public college in the state of São Paulo. The snowball technique was used to select such participants, who answered the semi-structured script questions. The testimonies were recorded, transcribed, transcreated and submitted to content analysis. Results: Three categories emerged: Being a trans; The college experience; Support for trans students at college. Although they perceived themselves as trans people in their childhood, the transsexualization process began concomitantly with their admission to college. This environment, considered heteronormative and transphobic, potentiated feelings of insecurity and non-belonging, which compromised student permanence. The support of other students and institutional actions were pointed out as possibilities to face these difficulties. Conclusion: Ensuring the permanence of trans students at college depends on the creation of specific inclusion policies for this population and that involve the entire academic community. Thus, concrete actions to combat transphobia and promote the well-being of these students can transform the college into a safe and welcoming place.