“A Hundred Percent Myself:” Experiences of Transgender and Gender Diverse Athletes in Competitive Sports

Understanding the experiences and meaning of competitive sports for transgender and gender diverse athletes (TGD) can contribute to the development of gender-affirming approaches in occupational therapy and promote access to the health benefits of sports participation. It also further informs occupational disruption, transition, and identity. Using a qualitative descriptive design and criterion sampling, seven TGD participants completed semi-structured interviews describing interrelated processes of gender transition and athletic participation. Themes of mental unwellness and exclusion, cultivating belonging through self-advocacy and seeking inclusive environments, and empowerment in identity emerged. Limitations included restricted transferability due to a diverse sample and changing regulatory landscape.