Abstract
This study examines the impact of a marginalized sexual orientation identity and gender identity on family support, socialization, spirituality, psychological distress, and suicide risk using secondary data analysis of the 2015 United States Transgender survey. Unique intragroup differences and vulnerabilities between those who identify as transgender and those who identify as transgender and genderqueer/nonbinary, and those who also identify with a marginalized sexual orientation were identified. Genderqueer/nonbinary individuals had lower rates of family support and higher rates of psychological distress when compared to transgender individuals. Genderqueer/nonbinary individuals had higher rates of socialization with the transgender community and lower rates of suicide risk, when compared with transgender individuals. Gender identity did not impact spirituality. Participants who reported a marginalized sexual orientation identity had significantly lower levels of family support, higher levels of psychological distress, were less likely to be spiritual but also had higher levels of socialization with the transgender community when compared with participants who reported a heterosexual identity. Sexual orientation did not impact suicide risk. This analysis presents novel insights indicating the presence of factors related to posttraumatic growth within the transgender community. Implications for practice, policy, and future research for those who identify as transgender and genderqueer/nonbinary, particularly related to risk and protective factors are discussed.