Faculty Sponsor(s)
Yanna J. Weisberg & Tanya L. Tompkins
Location
Jereld R. Nicholson Library
Subject Area
Psychology
Description
Both popular media and social science research suggest that gender/sexual identities and roles that have dominated western society are being challenged (Budgeon, 2014). Heteronormative assumptions and the gender binary are rapidly evolving to capture experiences that reflect greater diversity (Diamond, 2005; Nagoshi et al., 2012), including those that extend beyond labels. We surveyed 915 individuals regarding their gender identity, sexual orientation, and numerous psychological measures related to well-being, in order to understand the experience of those who choose to remain unlabeled. The data would suggest that those not ascribing to the gender binary have lower reported satisfaction with life across several axes when compared to cisgender participants. Explaining their ‘unlabeled’ status, participants described their primary identification as human, expressed discomfort with gender-based assumptions and rejected constrictions of the gender binary.
Recommended Citation
Piwetz, Sawyer D.; Stewart, Katricia D.F.; Weisberg, Yanna J.; and Tompkins, Tanya L., "Non-binary Living in a Binary World: The Unlabeled Experience" (2015). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 86.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2015/all/86
Non-binary Living in a Binary World: The Unlabeled Experience
Jereld R. Nicholson Library
Both popular media and social science research suggest that gender/sexual identities and roles that have dominated western society are being challenged (Budgeon, 2014). Heteronormative assumptions and the gender binary are rapidly evolving to capture experiences that reflect greater diversity (Diamond, 2005; Nagoshi et al., 2012), including those that extend beyond labels. We surveyed 915 individuals regarding their gender identity, sexual orientation, and numerous psychological measures related to well-being, in order to understand the experience of those who choose to remain unlabeled. The data would suggest that those not ascribing to the gender binary have lower reported satisfaction with life across several axes when compared to cisgender participants. Explaining their ‘unlabeled’ status, participants described their primary identification as human, expressed discomfort with gender-based assumptions and rejected constrictions of the gender binary.
Comments
Presenter: Sawyer D. Piwetz