ABSTRACT
It would be reasonable to think that the coming out of a transgender partner in a preformed couple might be the beginning of a new chapter for each partner but the end of the story for the relationship. Although it is true that substantive empirical research is still lacking, both clinical and nonclinical narratives oen highlight more hopeful outcomes (Boyd, 2003; Malpas & Davis, 2005; Erhardt, 2007; Lev, 2004; Vitale, 2004). Even though separation is a probable outcome, some couples are open to examine the potential gender transition of their relationship (Hines, 2006; Joslin-Roher & Wheeler, 2009; Malpas, 2006; Samons, 2009). Transgender men, transgender women, and their partners present to couple therapy with questions they face as a couple: What does my partner’s transition mean for us? Can we transition? How will it aect our sex life and our social identity? Can we continue to parent together or will doing so harm our children? Can we remain committed while changing our sexual arrangements?
