The author seeks to counterbalance the prevailing medicalised approach to statutory support for transgender people which tends to focus on the physical processes of transition rather than on subsequent social role adjustment. Kate Norman relates her own research findings to additional data and publications within three main themes: first, the provision of social support to transgender people by dedicated and generic social care services; secondly, social care issues in relation to transgender identity and transgender status, including discrimination, transphobia and mental health issues; and, thirdly, the effect of ‘coming out’ as transgender, and of transitioning, on relationships between transgender people and their families and friends, colleagues, neighbours and the wider community. The book explores the potential for improved social support to transgender people and also to partners, children and other family members. It concludes by proposing a combination of advocacy and social care support to further the legal and social status of transgender people.
Dr Kate Norman is a retired Social Worker who managed social care services with people with learning and physical disabilities, and with people with mental health problems, before undertaking quality assessment and monitoring of services for elderly people. She is a Visiting Fellow at the School of Health in Social Science at the University of Edinburgh.