Abstract This study aimed to examine coping strategies and perceived social support among male athletes and non athletes with gender identity disorder. The research method was causal–comparative and applied in terms of purpose. The study population consisted of individuals with gender identity disorder in Khorasan Province. Using a snowball sampling method, 87 participants were selected and divided into two groups: athletes (n = 42) and non athletes (n = 45). Data were collected using the Coping Strategies Questionnaire and the Perceived Social Support Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) in SPSS software at a significance level of 0.05. The results indicated that there were significant differences between athletes and non athletes in the components of problem focused coping strategies (P = 0.013), perceived social support from family (P = 0.045), and friends (P = 0.006). Based on the findings, individuals who participated in sports activities reported higher levels of perceived social support and problem focused coping strategies. In comparison with non athletes, athletes showed higher levels of problem focused coping strategies and perceived social support. These findings suggest that participation in sports activities may be associated with greater perceived social support and the use of more adaptive coping strategies among these individuals.