Table 3.

Summary of interviews’ emergent themes and relative frequency of discussion by topic

Study topic	Relative frequency of discussiona,b	Emergent themes
Gender transition	****	Transition occurs in stages but does not define womanhood
	******	Financial barriers to medical transitioning
	****	Use of lower-cost and non-prescribed medications
	**	Taking on only small transition expenses
	**	Waiting to “come out” until transition is completed
	******	Limited access to gender affirming services
Employment	*	Termination due to disclosed transgender identity
	******	No transition or full transition is most protective against job discrimination
	******	Sex exchange as source of employment while gender transitioning
	****	Challenges with name change and name preferences at work
	******	Need for trans-sensitivity training for local employers
	****	Higher pre-transition earning power
Housing	**	Useful to have trans-supportive housing
	**	Difficulty accessing housing due to transgender identity
HIV services	******	Linking transition services to HIV testing/care
	****	Concerns for trans discrimination by health care system
	****	Discussing HIV prevention with sex partners
	****	Effect of transition on sex partner accessibility and relationship

[a] Based on n = 19 trans women; [b] Relative frequency of responses are denoted by: * discussed by < 20% trans women; ** discussed by 20 to 35% trans women; ****discussed by 35 to 50% trans women; ****** discussed by > 50% of trans women