What do we know about the T in the LGBT? An integrative review and evidence synthesis of transgender students experiences across queer, and LGBT-spectrum research in post-compulsory education: Research Report

Trans students are significantly under-researched and under-reported in the education literature. We report findings from an integrative review examining what is known from the literature about this student population within post-compulsory education. Reviewing evidence that documents trans student experiences within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) spectrum of research reinforces the value of understanding students’ individual identities, as opposed to placing them into fixed, socially constructed categories of sexuality or gender which is now much more fluid. A systematic approach to a review of published empirical studies on lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer students (LGBTQ) established the type and range of knowledge regarding trans students. Themes from the analysis and synthesis of findings are discussed and comprised: commonalities for trans students within the LGBT+ umbrella; group differences between trans, not trans and lesbian, gay and bisexual students; new challenges and directions in education policy; research and practice with queer-spectrum and trans-spectrum college student populations.