More than Invisible – Unimaginable: parenthood aspirations among transgender and nonbinary people in Italy

Transgender and nonbinary people’s experiences are distinct from cisgender people’s experiences, and relatively little is known with respect to their desire for parenthood or to remain childfree. This study aimed to explore aspirations about parenthood among fif- teen trans men and women (n = 7) and nonbinary adults (n = 8) without children from Italy, adopting a life course theory approach. Employing thematic analysis, we identified three overarching themes: (1) navigating obstacles that excluded the choice of par- enthood; (2) encountering violence and stigma; and (3) future pos- sibilities for transgender and nonbinary parenthood. Results showed that transgender and nonbinary people’s parenthood aspi- rations were hampered by violence, stigma, and difficulties with affirming and care pathways. Participants saw themselves as being potentially competent to be parents. However, they experienced challenges to their aspirations living in a society that rejected their personal ideas about what a family is supposed to be. Although twelve participants desired or considered parenthood, they did not imagine this to be a realistic option. Many of them thought about becoming parents in a different country, through adoption, and of negotiating parenthood outside of limits imposed by binarism, within safe and creative spaces.