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Abstract
Trans Latina immigrants experience violence and discrimination in their countries of origin and the United States. Their experiences with oppression are even more challenging when living in the Southern U.S. As a result, many trans Latina immigrants have utilized their individual and collective strengths to resist oppression and generate change in their communities. However, there is limited research on the lived experiences of these generators of change. The current study aimed to explore the meaning that trans Latinas make of their lived experiences as they generate change in the Southern U.S. by asking the research questions: (1) What are the lived experiences of trans Latinas generating change for their communities in the Southern U.S.?; (2) How do the multiple identities of trans Latinas influence their experiences of empowerment in the Southern U.S.?; and, (3) How do trans Latinas experience and overcome challenges? These questions were answered through an interpretive phenomenological qualitative study informed by Latina feminisms. Six trans Latina immigrants from Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas were part of the study. Their testimonios were gathered through multiple semi-structured interviews in Spanish, and data were triangulated using participants’ online posts and videos. Data were analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three thematic patterns were constructed: (1) “Mi comunidad transgénero tiene muchas necesidades”: Trans Latina immigrants’ struggles; (2) “Me llamo luchadora social”: Being and doing social change; and (3) “Juntas todas”: Strength in caring for each other. Overall, the participants’ lived experiences were linked to their experiences with intersectional violence, discrimination, and struggles at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. However, by building community and caring for each other, the participants overcame these challenges. Additionally, becoming luchadoras sociales and doing social change was informed by their trans, Latina, and immigrant identities. The study’s findings are discussed using a Latina feminisms framework. Social work researchers, practitioners, and educators ought to engage in trans-led and informed strengths-based research and practice, advocate for the human rights of this group, support systemic change that addresses the needs and struggles of the community, and teach content related to the needs and strengths of trans Latina immigrants.