In recent decades, “transgender” has moved from being tacked on to the end of the LGBT acronym to becoming the new front of the LGBT rights movement. However, coverage of the fight for transgender rights is often sensationalized and/or focused entirely on bathroom bills (legislation regulating who can legally use each gendered bathroom), providing a singular story of what it means to be transgender. This research aims to move beyond that, through exploration of the lived experiences and identities of transgender individuals, in their own words. This study aims to explore transgender identity through a content analysis of blogs and articles written by transgender individuals, coded for themes surrounding identity and the self. The internet has become a major source of connection and acceptance for transgender individuals and those exploring their gender, who often feel isolated and alienated by family and peers. Blogs and articles published online are one way that transgender individuals tell their own stories. Through this research, their voices can take center stage and provide a multitude of stories about what it means to be transgender in today’s society.
