Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad

• Almås, Elsa Mari; Bolstad, Silje-Håvard; Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli; Karlsen, Tor-Ivar & Giami, Alain (2025). Gender identities and affirmation pathways among transgender individuals in Norway. Sexual and Relationship Therapy. ISSN 1468-1994. 40(2), p. 412–429. doi: 10.1080/14681994.2025.2464651. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objectives: To identify subgroups of the Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) population and investigate if they follow similar or different affirmation pathways according to their self-reported gender identity. Method: A questionnaire used in France and Brazil was adapted to the Norwegian context and used for this study. Participants were recruited through therapists, TGD organizations, and social media. The data were analyzed based on seven categories -man, woman, trans man, trans woman, nonbinary, agender and undefined - which were derived from a content analysis of the self-reported definitions. Results: In total, 538 individuals responded the questionnaire, of which 336 participants provided a self-reported definition of their gender identity. The groups differed systematically along the binary – nonbinary continuum regarding changes in legal status, planning and obtaining health care, and overall satisfaction regarding their pathway. Conclusions: The results indicate that health care must be adapted according to gender self-identification and accommodate the different needs that are expressed by the participants. Lay Summary The study aimed to describe experiences of individuals who identify as Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) in Norway. Researchers wanted to explore whether TGD individuals follow similar or different paths when affirming their gender identity. A questionnaire originally developed in France, was adapted to fit the Norwegian context. Participants were reached out to through therapists, TGD organizations, and social media. A total of 538 people answered the questionnaire, and 336 of them provided a description of their gender identity. The responses were categorized into seven groups based on how the participants described their gender identity: man, woman, trans man, trans woman, nonbinary, agender, and undefined. The study found that these groups had different experiences when it came to legally changing their gender, accessing healthcare, and how satisfied they were with their journey of gender affirmation: People who identified as nonbinary or agender reported different needs and experiences compared to those who identified within binary male or female categories. The conclusion of the study was that healthcare services need to be more flexible and responsive to the individual needs of TGD people. This means recognizing and respecting each person’s self-identified gender identity and provide support that is tailored to the individual experiences and challenges.

• Almås, Elsa Mari; Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli; Bolstad, Silje-Håvard; Karlsen, Tor-Ivar & Giami, Alain (2024). Gender Identity Orientation and Sexual Activity—A Survey among Transgender and Gender-Diverse (TGD) Individuals in Norway. Healthcare. 12(4). doi: 10.3390/healthcare12040482. Full text in Research Archive
• Grasaasen, Anne & Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2023). Gender Incongruence: Youth with a Special Talent for Gender; Supporting Youth and Families. In Myra, Siv Merete; Grøver, Tone & Axberg, Ulf (Ed.), New Horizons in Systemic Practice with Children and Families. Palgrave Macmillan. ISSN 9783031381119. p. 33–51. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-38111-9_3. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Understandings of gender are undergoing great change. In caring for children and youth experiencing gender incongruence, we reflect over how to create a systemic conversational space in which they, along with their families, can explore feelings and experiences of gender identity. The family as a phenomenon is a strong discourse, and parents’ voices are important in how this process is experienced. Their active participation in therapy can contribute to children and youth becoming secure in owning their gender identities. We describe using a gender map as an aid to talk about feelings, experiences, and desires in conversations with older children, youth, parents, and their networks.

• Almås, Elsa Mari; Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli; Gianotten, Woet; Perelman, Luis & Wylie, Kevan (2022). The multiple roles of sexological organisations. Sexologies: revue europeenne de sante sexuelle - european journal of sexual health. ISSN 1158-1360. 31(3), p. 260–268. doi: 10.1016/j.sexol.2022.04.001. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The research question behind this article is to analyse how missions and goals for sexological organisations on various levels are described and how they can complement each other. The missions and goals of global (WAS), regional (EFS), and national organisations in Europe are described and analysed by their statutes and bylaws. The results show that organisations on all levels are occupied with sexual health and rights, sexuality education, professional education, and standards of ethics. In addition, there seems to be a division of work between the various levels of organisations: Global organisations: Network of regional federations, sexual health promotion within international organisations such as the WHO and the UN, organising congresses for presenting new research and activist work (within non-governmental organisations-NGOs) and influencing national governments. Regional organisations: Network of national organisations, harmonisation of educational programmes, organisation of regional congresses for presenting new research and new treatment methods, development of projects between different countries. National organisations: Recruitment of members, education, supervision, professional support and development, organising national conferences and meetings, influencing politicians and health & education planners.

• Almås, Elsa Mari & Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Treatment of Traumatised Sexuality. Frontiers in Psychology. 12. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.610619. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Based on therapeutic meetings with individuals who have experienced sexual violence and abuse, the challenge is how do we help these couples to establish sexual relationships on their own terms, without interference of defence or coping strategies they have used to protect themselves against the overwhelming experiences of violence or abuse in the past? This article will focus on therapeutic work with such couples and how to interact with them and support their efforts to establish satisfying sexual relationships, based on sexological experience as well as experience from work with traumatisation. The basis for our treatment is a modified version of William Masters and Virginia Johnson’s approach. The technique of sensate focus is central, modified by trauma theory, including the understanding of dissociation, and the need to integrate memories from different levels: somatic, emotional, and cognitive. The traumatised client needs special attention to the experiences of predictability and safety and respect due to their history of being transgressed against. The therapists must be aware of the issue of dissociation; different dissociated inner parts can play different roles in the interaction between client and therapist. While couples therapy is a necessary frame for this therapy, the therapist often needs to work with issues unique to each individual. Each partner must be able to identify their own responses and their own sexual needs and preferences. It may therefore be valuable to have a co-therapist. The central goal is for the clients to identify responses to stimulation as a here and now experience in a setting that feels safe and welcome.

• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Transkvinner. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening (Tidsskriftet). ISSN 0029-2001. 141(4). doi: 10.4045/tidsskr.21.0137. Full text in Research Archive
• Berg, Kari Hansen; Rohde, Gudrun Elin; Pripp, Are Hugo; Prøven, Anne; Benestad, Espen Esther Pirelli & Østensen, Monika Elisabeth [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). Increased proportion of comorbidities but no deterioration of sexual quality of life during a 5-year follow-up in patients with axial spondyloarthritis in the biologic treatment era. Rheumatology. ISSN 1462-0324. 60(9), p. 4112–4120. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keaa887. Full text in Research Archive

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• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2024). Mitt liv som hun og han og hen. Kagge Forlag AS. ISBN 9788248936428. 383 p. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Fra oppvekst på Sørlandet via to ekteskap, mange inntrykk via mange mennesker overv store deler av kloden. Inntrykk som kom til å påvirke forfatteren til et menneskesyn der intet menneskelig skal være fremmed. Det er en bok som beskriver spenningen mellom skam og velykkethet, og hvordan et live kan skape det stygge om til noe vakkert som kan gagne mange fler enn forfatteren selv.

• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli & Jamison, Green (2023). What do Trans People Expect from Transition and What Do They Encounter Phisically? Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781108842310. 12 p. Full text in Research Archive

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• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli & Almås, Elsa Mari (2025). On queer aging and endings. doi: https:/www.imdb.com/title/tt38814457/. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Dokumentar film bygget over diktet "By the grqve of the unknown queer"

• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2025). Matters of belonging. doi: https:/www.was2025.org/. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Belonging has been proven to be a basic human need, unfortunately obscured in many countria and societies. This presentations digs into understandings of belonging, how to define and the consequences of no belonging, bad belonging and good belonging.

• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2025). How can we navigate justice in oceans of different needs? doi: https:/www.was2025.org/. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Sexual justice can be objective when linked to sexual rights, but highly subjective when linked to individual sence of justice, depending upon what human wishes and needs are satisfied or not. The presnetation takes a closer look at rights at justice and at belonging

• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli & Almås, Elsa Mari (2025). all about my father. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Dokumentar film, norsk, dubbet til russisk med etterfølgende omfattende Q&A med russisk talende skeive, aktivister og terapeuter

• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli & Almås, Elsa Mari (2025). On Queer aging and endings. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Dokumentar film bygget over diktet "By the grqve of the unknown queer".

• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2025). History of gender crossings and gender cruisings from Genesis to the present. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Gender in history is diverse from the Biblical descriptions of genesis, to the present. Genesis opens for a qualification of androgyni, that lead can be follwed to the present. There are actually two remarkable different routes following Genesis, the on that leads to the construction of the strict gender binary and the one that keep a far more nuanced perception. This affects the way gender diversity is met and accommodated in Western societies.

• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2025). hormonal treatment of transgender and gender diverse children and adolescents. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2025). Kjønn, kjønn og atter kjønn. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2025). The work of the TGD committee in WAS. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2025). Hormonal treatment of transgender and gender diverse children and adolescents. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2025). The work of the TGD Committee in WAS. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli & Almås, Elsa Mari (2025). Euforia de género: una perspectiva profesional y personal. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli & Almås, Elsa Mari (2025). Euforia de género: una perspectiva profesional y personal. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2025). Gender incongruence from a personal and professional perspective. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2025). Hva er identitets politikk. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2024). Children, youth and adolescents and the experience of Transgiftedness/oversatt til russisk: ДЕТИ, ПОДРОСТКИ, МОЛОДЁЖЬ И ОПЫТ ТРАНСОДАРЁННОСТИ. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2024). Fra "Evangeliet etter Jesus, himmelens dronning". Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2024). Du skal ikke bryte ekteskapet – tåler kjærligheten alt? Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2024). Alle «ideer» jeg har om kjønn har jeg fått presentert av mennesker som opplever seg slik. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2024). Skal skolen la være å undervise om det uvanlige? Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli & Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2024). Fra "Evangeliet etter Jesus, himmelens dronning". Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2024). Bokbad Mitt liv som hun og han og hen. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2024). I have a dream, Gold medal lecture. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2024). Åpning Skeive sørlandsdager. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2024). Discorso di introduzione. La bellezza della diversità. Rivista di Sessulogia. ISSN 0392-1670. 48(N.1), p. 107–111. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Om nødvendigheten av å vandre med dem som bor i de uvanlige menneskelige landskapene og om hvordan majoritetene systematisk undertrykker minoriteter. Artikkelen er oversatt fra engelsk til Italiensk av Tiziana Liccardo

• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2024). Domesticitet. Kritiker : nordisk tidskrift för litterär kritik och essäistik = nordisk tidsskrift for litterær kritik og essayistik = nordisk tidsskrift for litterær kritikk of essayistikk. ISSN 1104-196X. 107(no.71), p. 8–14. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  I hvilken grad tilbys de uvanlig kjønnede ern positiv tilhørighet i samfunn og kultur. Hvordan vi kan finne ord og begrep som på en positivt bekreftende måte kan spåeile all menneskelighet.

• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2024). poetry and my experience of systemic transphobia and how this has impacted my practice. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2024). Poetry as a Medium in Sex-Therapy. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2023). Eldre og sekualitet -seksualitet og livsfaser. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2023). Kjønnsbegeistring. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2023). Kjønnsbegeistring, kjønnsforståelse. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2023). kjønn og kjønnsforståelse. Full text in Research Archive
• Normann, Ben David; Bolsø, Agnes; Kalvig, Anne Kathrine; Sætre, Glenn-Peter & Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2023). Nyans — Hvordan bør vi prate om kjønn? [Internet]. YouTube. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2023). Evangeliet etter Jesus, Himmelens Dronning. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2023). Kjønnsbegeistring. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2023). Paths from the Old Testament to the present state of transgender healthcare. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2022). Erlend Kleven Jørgensens podcasst. [Internet]. uia. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2022). Om barn og kjønn. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli & Almås, Elsa Mari (2022). Eldre og seksualitet. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2022). Helgemorgen. [Radio]. NRK. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2022). intervju med Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad. [TV]. scene Skudeneshavn SILK festival litteratur. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2022). Helgemorgen. [Radio]. NRK. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2022). Etikk etaten. [Radio]. NRK. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2022). Sexual rights in times of distress. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2022). Stomi og seksualitet. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2022). Beste behandling, kjønnsinkongruens. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2022). Intervju i anledning "himmelsens dronning". [Radio]. NRK Hamar. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli; Coleman, Eli & Dhejne, Cecilia (2022). Meet the experts - ISSM transgender. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2022). Om utkledning. [TV]. Deichman bibliotek Bjørvika. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2022). Kjønnsidentitet i litteraturen. [TV]. Grimstad Bibliotek. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2022). Opening speech ESSM 2022. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2022). Om liv og kjønn. [Radio]. Oslo hjertens lyst helsepodcast. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2022). Hva er det vitenskapelige grunnlaget for kjønnsidentitet? Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Stakkars Gud. [Radio]. NRK. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Skapelsen varer evig. [Radio]. NRK. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Det hellige. [Radio]. NRK. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Det syke Skaperverket. [Radio]. NRK. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Røda Havet. [Radio]. NRK. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Gudsbildet i oss. [Radio]. NRK. Full text in Research Archive
• Almås, Elsa Mari & Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Kjønn, seksualitet og identitet. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). TED talk gender and justice. [TV]. TED X Arendal. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Å være glad i mennesker. [Radio]. NRK. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Presentation of the TGD statement in WAS. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). En åpenbaring. [Radio]. NRK. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Skaperverket. [Radio]. NRK. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Gold medal lecture: Sexology in my life. Full text in Research Archive
• Almås, Elsa Mari & Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Sexologi 2001-2021. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). The talent of flourishing with gender nonconformity : A personal interview with Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad. [Internet]. Webinar. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli; Pop, Maria Lucia; Valerio, Paolo; Barrientos, Jamie; Bolstad, Silje-Håvard & Giami, Alain (2021). The importance of self designation of gender identity in research, care and advocacy. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Skeive liv - En personlig og profesjonell reise. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Four illustrative cases and kinds of regret after gender affirming treatment. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Eilertpodden med Esben Esther. [Radio]. UiA. Full text in Research Archive
• Almås, Elsa Mari; Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli; Giami, Alain; Wylie, Kevan; Gianotten, Woet & Perelman, Luis (2021). Sexologcal organizations. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  WAS was founded in 1978 as an umbrella organization, based upon five regional federations (Africa, Asia- Oceania, Europe, Latin America and North America). Each of these five federations is based on membership by national organizations. Membership is also possible for Sexological institutes, NGOs and individuals. WAS is now offering membership to national and other regional organizations. It would therefore be of interest to see how organizations on different levels can supplement each other and work together. - The research question behind this presentation is whether there are different goals of work for organizations on different levels, and how they can support each other. Missions and goals of WAS, EFS and their national members are described and analysed by their statutes and bylaws. - The results show that organizations on all levels are involved with sexual health and rights, sexuality education, professional training, and standards of ethics. In addition, there seems to be a division of work between the different levels of organizations: WAS: Network of regional federations; sexual health promotion within international organizations such as WHO and UN; organizing congresses for presenting new research and activist work (within non-governmental organizations - NGOs) and influencing national governments. EFS: Network of national organizations; harmonization of educational programs; organizing regional congresses for presenting new research and new treatment methods; development of collaborative projects between different countries. National organizations: Recruitment of members; education; supervision; professional support and development; establishing ethical codes and deontological regulations; organizing national conferences and meetings; influencing politicians and health & education planners. Conclusion: Sexological organizations at national, regional and global level should find ways to cooperate based on division of work as illustrated by these results.

• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli & Almås, Elsa Mari (2021). Non-binary gender: A developing identity and new research field? Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Sexologi for psykiatere. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Kjønn som talent og gave med fokus på uvanlig kjønn. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Kreft og seksualitet inntil døden skiller oss ad. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Hva leser du nå? [Radio]. Grimstad Bibliotek. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2021). Kjønnsidentitet i organisasjonene. Full text in Research Archive
• Almås, Elsa Mari & Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2020). Hvordan blir to-kjønnsmodellen utfordret? Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2020). Kjønnsinkongruens i Norge. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli & Benestad, Øivind (2020). Da han møtte "hen". [Journal]. Avaisa dagen. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2020). Gatekeeping to your own good. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2020). Om kjønnsinkongruens - utvikling av behandlingtilbud i Norge. [Internet]. Grimstad - internett. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli & Almås, Elsa Mari (2020). Kjønnsbegeistring. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2020). Eldre og seksualitet. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2020). Hormoner gjennom et kvinneliv II. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2020). Hormoner i kvinneliv del I. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2020). Forbildet på veggen. [Journal]. Dagbladet. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2020). Kjønn og tall. Full text in Research Archive
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli (2020). Bokbad med Wenche Müleissen. [Journal]. Litteraturfestival Sarpsborg. Full text in Research Archive

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