Gender-affirming health tourism: transfeminine insights from a social identity perspective

The recent advancements in trans health advocacy regarding depathologisation have forged a path for understanding how the transfeminine community can improve their health and well-being through gender affirmation. Drawing from social identity theory, gender affirmation cultivates a feeling of membership and belonging within a gender community that resonates with one’s gender identity, ultimately resulting in greater social acceptance. Transfeminine individuals often consider tourism as a means to overcome barriers to gender-affirming care in their home regions, facilitating the process of gender affirmation and fostering positive health and well-being outcomes. Through qualitative in-depth interviews with ten transfeminine individuals from Thailand and the Philippines, the study aims to investigate the significant role of tourism in gender affirmation, leading to the improvement of their health and well-being. Acknowledging both medical and wellness aspects of their travel experiences, the study uncovers four key themes: physical and psychological alignment, conformity to beauty standards, social belonging and relationships, and freedom and empowerment. These findings are conceptualised as the building blocks of gender-affirming health tourism, highlighting the interdisciplinary intersections amongst tourism, health, and gender studies. Ultimately, this study offers theoretical and practical implications for trans health scholarships and tourism stakeholders.