title: Intersections and evolution of 'Butch-trans' categories in Puerto Rico: Needs and barriers of an invisible population.
abstract: Public health research among transgender populations globally has primarily focused on HIV/AIDS. However, trans men remain outside of this conceptual framework, with distinct but overlapping social contexts and needs. In Puerto Rico (PR), the trans men population has remained largely hidden within the 'butch' lesbian community. The objective of this article is to document the identity construction of trans men and 'buchas' (local term to refer to butch lesbians) in PR and its relation to their bodily practices and overall health. We conducted an exploratory qualitative study with 29 trans men and buchas based on ethnographic observation, focus groups, audio-recorded in-depth interviews, and critical discourse analysis. Findings emphasise two domains to be addressed by health policies and initiatives: (1) bodily representations and gender performance, and (2) the meanings of female biological processes. This small-scale ethnographic study represents an initial step towards understanding the social context of this 'invisible' community and significant implications for their health and well-being. We provide several recommendations to address public health concerns of this understudied, marginalised community.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Social Science , University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus , San Juan , Puerto Rico.
authors.forename: Alíxida G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Ramos-Pibernus
authors.affiliation: a Department of Social Science , University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus , San Juan , Puerto Rico.
authors.forename: Sheilla L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Madera
authors.affiliation: b Global and Sociocultural Studies , Florida International University , Miami , FL , USA.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Padilla
authors.affiliation: c Institute for Psychological Research, University of Puerto Rico , San Juan , Puerto Rico.
authors.forename: Nelson
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Varas-Díaz
authors.affiliation: a Department of Social Science , University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus , San Juan , Puerto Rico.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vargas Molina
mesh_terms: D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005783:Gender Identity; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D019370:Observation; D011647:Puerto Rico; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012649:Self Concept; D057545:Social Stigma; D063106:Transgender Persons / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Transgender/transsexual men; bucha; Puerto Rico; social stigma; transgender health