Romantic Relationships Of Female-To-Male Trans Men: A Descriptive Study

The present descriptive study examined the prevalence of romantic relationships in a large-scale international sample of female-to-male (FtM) transgender men, the rates that partners stay together during a gender transition of one of the partners, and the relationship between perceived social support from romantic relationships and the mental health of FtMs. Participants were trans men who completed an anonymous online survey. Of those who were in a relationship before they decided to transition, about half reported that their relationship had been maintained. FtMs who were in a relationship reported fewer symptoms of depression than those who were single. Perceived social support from a romantic partner was found to moderate the relation between being in a relationship and symptoms of both depression and anxiety. These findings highlight the fact that some relationships can and do endure through a gender transition and the importance of close, supportive relationships during and after transition.