Geographies of belonging: A participatory map of transgender and gender diverse spatial experiences in Padova

Background: Queer geography examines how sexual and gender identities are spatially constructed and negotiated. While early work focused on gay and lesbian urban concentrations, the geography of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people remains underexplored despite their facing distinct spatial exclusions. Participatory mapping offers methodological innovation by positioning marginalized communities as knowledge co-producers, challenging dominant cartographic paradigms that function as instruments of power. Aims: This participatory study aimed to: (1) co-construct a map of LGBTQIA+ spaces in Padova; (2) develop an evaluative framework for TGD-safe spaces; (3) explore participant accounts of how spatial knowledge and frequentation relate to psychosocial resources; (4) describe participant experiences of how spatial frequentation relates to minority stress and wellbeing; and (5) document participant experiences of active participation in relation to empowerment and community belonging. Methods: Thirteen TGD adults (M age = 24.5) participated in individual semi-structured interviews incorporating participatory mapping where participants drew personally significant locations and reflected on lived experiences, safety perceptions, and identity negotiation within these spaces. A collective focus group contributed to validating findings and co-constructing evaluation criteria. Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Results: Participants co-created a multidimensional accessibility framework, distinguishing spaces merely “allowing” TGD presence from those actively affirming. Affirming spaces were described as supporting identity development, kinship networks, and reducing minority stress. Nominal LGBTQ+ venues reproduced exclusion through cis-gay-male hegemony, while everyday spaces generated “geographies of caution” restricting mobility. Geographic inequalities compounded social isolation with spatial marginalization. Conclusions: This study advances queer geography by demonstrating space-identity co-production: spaces shape TGD identities while TGD practices transform spatial meanings. Findings are interpreted thorugh the lens of Social Safety Theory, offering concrete spatial criteria and challenging homonormative assumptions by revealing systematic TGD exclusion within queer-branded spaces. The participatory framework offers methodological and practical innovations for mHealth applications prioritizing peer knowledge over institutional claims.