Welcome to the TRANSFORM Lab:
Welcome to the TRANSFORM Lab:
Transgender Flourishing through Outreach, Relationships, and Meaning Making
Transgender Flourishing through Outreach, Relationships, and Meaning Making
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Purpose
Purpose
The Transgender Flourishing through Outreach, Relationships, and Meaning Making (TRANSFORM) Lab at the University of Minnesota Duluth researches transgender health, sexuality, and relationships with the goal of advancing Trans Joy. Grounded in interdisciplinary and qualitative methodologies, our work centers Transgender and Queer voices to deepen understanding and promote affirmation.
The Transgender Flourishing through Outreach, Relationships, and Meaning Making (TRANSFORM) Lab at the University of Minnesota Duluth researches transgender health, sexuality, and relationships with the goal of advancing Trans Joy. Grounded in interdisciplinary and qualitative methodologies, our work centers Transgender and Queer voices to deepen understanding and promote affirmation.
The TRANSFORM Lab welcomes undergraduate and graduate students interested in Transgender and Queer research, particularly in the areas of health, sexuality, relationships, and community wellbeing. If you are interested in joining the lab, please contact Dr. Nomi Ostrander (nomi@d.umn.edu).
Current Projects
Changing Speeds: Transition changes under the Trump Administration
This study explores the transition experiences of transgender individuals under the current federal regime. Are people slowing down, speeding up, or pausing any part of their social, legal, or medical transition? (now enrolling)
Gender-Affirming Health Care Provider Stress
This study examines gender affirming care providers’ experiences within the context of increasing federal and state bans against transgender communities.
Cis- and Transgender Relationships
This project explores the lived experiences of couples that remain intact after one partner transitions.
Sexual Debut post-Transition
This project explores experiences around individuals' sexual debuts since begining their transition.
(Image by Rory Midhani)
Recent Publications:
Ostrander, N. (2025). Co-transitions: Understanding the ways couples navigate gender transition together. International Journal of Transgender Health, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/15532739.2025.2464231
Thompson, A. E., Bensen, L., Theis, R., & Ostrander, N. (2025). The Impact of Sex and Type of Sexual Behavior on Judgments of Hypothetical Men’s and Women’s Sexuality: A Comparison Between Mixed-Sex Threesomes and Dyadic Sexual Behaviors. Journal of Homosexuality, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2025.2512114
Thompson, A. E., Ostrander, N., Osborn, M., & Gooch, K. (2025). Initiating and negotiating mixed-sex threesomes: a qualitative analysis with implications for clinical training. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2025.2595425
Couples in Transition: Clinical Approaches for Supporting Transgender Individuals and Their Cisgender Partners (Routledge) is in preparation and is due out in 2027.
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