Working with Older PeopleIntended legacies of transgender women who transitioned at 40+ years old: supporting younger transgender people and inspiring a trans-friendly society

Abstract

[eng] Purpose: This study aims to identify and characterize the intended legacies oftransgender women from Spain and Portugal who embarked on their gendertransition at 40+ years.Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews focusing onintended legacies were performed with seven participants (three Portuguese andfour Spanish), aged 52 to 66 years. The interviews were submitted to thematicanalysis.Findings: The main findings show that all participants reported intendedlegacies: (a) personal, to be remembered as a good person; (b) broader, to supportyounger transgender persons to come out earlier in life and to guide and mentorother transgender persons; and (c) composite, to contribute by being a positiverole model and being happily engaged in contributing to others.Originality/value: This understanding may help in developing adequate practicesthat promote involvement of transgender persons who are in middle to late life insupporting transgender persons rights and well-being.