The impact on relationships following disclosure of transgenderism : a wife’s tale

Transgender is an umbrella term that describes people whose gender expression differs from their assigned sex at birth. Transgender issues have appeared with increasing frequency in popular culture and the media. However, given the high levels of mental health problems reported by transgender people, and their sometimes negative experiences of contact with healthcare professions, it is surprising that the topic has received little attention in the mental health nursing literature. One area that has been particularly neglected area is the impact of their disclosure on their partners, friends and family. This article provides insights into this area by presenting an account of the impact of disclosure by one transwoman, Pippa, on her wife, Carol, and the effects on their relationship. Carol’s narrative suggests that partners may experience grief, mental health problems and alienation from their friends and family. Furthermore, professional help may be absent, inappropriate or insensitive due to a lack of knowledge of and/or negative attitudes towards transgender people. Carol’s narrative raises a number of issues for education, practice and research within mental health care.