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Being trans in Korea: key milestones and stigmatization across life stages in a nationwide survey of 585 transgender and non-binary young adults
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Sungsub Choo, Ranyeong Kim, Hyemin Lee, Horim Yi, Rockli Kim, Seung-Sup Kim
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Epidemiol Health. 2025;47:e2025032. Published online June 27, 2025
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2025032
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 Abstract
Summary
 PDF Supplementary Material
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Understanding the experiences of transgender and non-binary (TGNB) individuals from a life-course perspective is essential. This article aims to identify ages at key milestones related to transgender identity and assess experiences of stigmatization among TGNB individuals across different life stages.
METHODS We analyzed data from a nationwide longitudinal survey of 585 TGNB adults in Korea collected in 2020 and 2021. Analysis of variance and chi-square test were used to compare mean ages at transgender identity developmental milestones and experiences of anti-transgender stigma across transgender identities.
RESULTS On average, TGNB Koreans realized their transgender identity at age 13, accepted it at age 20, and came out to others at age 21. Regarding experiences of stigmatization across different life stages, 67.4% reported hearing homophobic and transphobic remarks from teachers in secondary school. Among TGNB individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB) who served mandatory military service, 29.0% were classified as maladjusted soldiers, and 12.1% experienced sexual harassment or violence. When asked about the job application process, 57.0% reported discontinuing their job search due to their transgender identity. Financial burden represented the primary barrier to psychiatric evaluations, hormone treatment, and gender-affirming surgery.
CONCLUSIONS Our study identifies key milestone ages related to transgender identity and experiences of stigmatization across life stages among TGNB adults in Korea. With 97.6% of participants under 40 years old, these findings primarily reflect the experiences of TGNB young adults. Further research is necessary to better understand the experiences of middle-aged and elderly TGNB individuals in Korea.
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Summary
Korean summary
한국에서 트랜스젠더 당사자들은 평균적으로 13살에 트랜스젠더 정체성을 자각하고, 20살에 트랜스젠더로서의 자신을 수용하며, 21살에 처음으로 트랜스젠더 정체성을 타인에게 알린다. 시스젠더 이성애자의 몸을 표준으로 구성된 한국 사회에서, 트랜스젠더는 청소년기와 성인기를 거치며 고등학교, 군 복무, 취업, 의료 이용 등에서 차별과 낙인을 경험한다.
Key Message
The average age of developmental milestones related to transgender identity include realizing their transgender identity at age 13, accepting it at age 20, and first coming out at age 21. TGNB individuals faced stigma and discrimination in key set- tings and situations such as secondary school, the military, and job applications from their adolescence and onwards.
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