Neo-Functionalism Applied to the Lived Experience of a Transgender Person During Gender Affirmation

Transgender people embody and express a gender identity that transcends sociocultural expectations about gender traditionally linked to binary biological sexes. There are forms of pathologization and medicalization of the transgender phenomenon with regard to legal proceedings, as well as medical and psychological practice, where a binary view of gender persists. Focusing on psychological support before initiating any hormonal and/or surgical interventions is a delicate and often debated phase during gender affirmation. The aim of this paper is to outline a reading of a transgender person’s lived experience according to the psychological model of Modern Functionalism. Through thematic analysis, significant themes that shaped this experience were identified. More generally, the neo-functional approach has allowed us to illustrate a perspective of the transgender reality that intends to overcome a dichotomous view of body and mind by approaching the person in its entirety. In this way, we assume, the limiting effects of pathologizing, medicalizing, and binary gender conceptualizations have been minimized. Finally, the results of the data analysis were discussed, and links to relevant scientific literature were provided.