“This is the Biggest Thing You'll Ever Do in Your Life”: Exploring the Occupations of Transgendered People

Despite growing attention to occupational justice issues, there has been very little research examining the everyday occupations of those marginalised by sexual orientation or gender identity. Building on a small body of literature concerning the occupations of gay men and lesbians, this paper explores the occupations of five transgendered persons. Qualitative interview data are used to examine both how participants' gender identities shaped their occupational engagements, and how their occupations were used to convey or express gender identities. The occupational focus tended to change over time. While in their early years participants faced occupational barriers and deprivation, during transition they were centrally involved with occupations concerning the health care system and financing bodily transitions. Later the most significant occupations centred on managing disclosure, self-care, managing relationships, and navigating employment. All participants faced occupational losses and adaptations, but also gained new, meaningful occupations.