“Nothing about us, without us”: Rethinking gender euphoria research through trans-led conversations with community
Date
2026
Authors
Kulesza, S.
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Journal article
Citation
International Journal of Transgender Health, 2026; 1-13
Statement of Responsibility
Stella Kulesza
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Abstract
Background: Cisgenderism has led to trans people being studied through an inaccurately transnormative dysphoria-centric lens. Trans-led research on gender euphoria has illuminated a promising perspective on trans communities that transformatively explores the nuances and joys of transness that are recurrently unrepresented. Aims: To investigate how trans people perceive trans gender euphoria research findings and practices. Method: Six trans-led focus groups were conducted over Zoom with a sample of trans people from across Australia to reflect on Kulesza et al.’s (2025) findings on gender euphoria and research practices. Following transcription, data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. A single follow-up focus group was conducted to reflect on the discussions and member check themes. Results: Three themes were developed: 1) Euphoria as authenticity in the face of distrust explores the impact of historical marginalization on our need for authenticity, 2) Research grounded in grassroots connections affirms the importance of trans research being grounded in community, and 3) Decolonizing our sense of gender unpacks the impact of colonization on academic understandings of transness. Conclusions: Gender euphoria is an important area of research that seeks to dismantle institutional privilege and transnormativity in trans research. Through adopting community-informed practices, we can move toward trans research that prioritizes nuance, authenticity, and diversity.
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© 2026 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.