Trans Students Who Leave College: An Exploratory Study of Their Experiences of Gender Minority Stress

Abstract

This article reports findings from an exploratory study of 14 trans college students who had taken leave, dropped out, and/or transferred institutions. Participants shared complex reasons for leaving college, including institutional and interpersonal experiences of gender-related stress, namely unwelcoming or insensitive campus and classroom climates, as well as a lack of trans-affirming supports and services, which made gender transitions difficult and stressful. Lack of family support and financial and academic concerns, were often intertwined with gender minority stress and contributed to some participants’ leaving.