ABSTRACT:
Transgender, travesti, and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people are morevulnerable to food insecurity due to stigma and discrimination related totheir gender identity.1-3 However, there is a lack of qualitative research on thistopic. Therefore, this study examines the vulnerability and experiences oftrans people with respect to food insecurity. A qualitative systematic reviewwas conducted by searching seven electronic databases for studies in March2024. Qualitative studies on the experience of food insecurity among transpeople were included. The quality of studies was assessed using CASP, whilethe GRADE-CERQual approach evaluated the reliability of findings, whichwere then analyzed using meta-synthesis with thematic analysis. A total of673 records were identified, of which five were selected. The most appliedtechnique was semi-structured interviews. In total, four categories emergedfrom the meta-synthesis: vulnerability to food insecurity, experience of hun-ger, repercussions, and coping strategies. The results showed that TGNC peo-ple face high levels of stigma, discrimination, and victimization, which impacttheir food insecurity across different areas of life. Structural barriers, such aslimited access to food and stable employment, exacerbate this insecurity, withnegative consequences for physical and mental health. Factors such as skincolor/ethnicity, gender, gender-based violence and lack of safe housing alsocontribute to this situation, including forced prostitution as a result of socialbarriers. Support networks such as the “chosen family” play an important rolein reducing these effects. For trans people, the complexity of experiencing foodinsecurity is linked to transphobia, which creates barriers and violates theright to adequate food. They cope with hunger by activating support networksand seeking food assistance from institutions.