Abysmal Afflictions and Everyday Life Challenges of Transgender Older Adults in Kerala

Through a descriptive research design employing a snowball sampling method, 100 transgender elders in the Kollam and Alappuzha districts were interviewed, shedding light on their unique challenges. The interview guide facilitated data collection on TG individuals. The methodology involved extensive fieldwork and participant observation. The researcher immersed herself within the TG community, actively participating in their daily routines to comprehensively understand their lives. The findings reveal a landscape marked by victimization, violence, limited access to healthcare, social isolation, mental health struggles, and structural barriers. Despite strides towards inclusivity, many elders grapple with concealing their true identities due to societal discrimination and lack of support systems. The intersectionality of gender, sexuality, and age plays a crucial role in understanding transgender ageing. Community-level organizing and resistance emerge as pathways to wellness for transgender older adults. This study underscores the urgent need for tailored interventions and recommendations for healthcare professionals and researchers to engage with the transgender older adult population. By creating transpositive spaces within theological and applied ethics, we can support transgender elders in navigating the challenges of ageing with dignity and respect.