Nonbinary people living in a binary world: Minority stress in public and gendered places

Summary & key facts

This qualitative study interviewed 40 nonbinary adults in Italy (ages 19–36) about their daily experiences in gendered public places like restrooms, changing rooms, locker rooms, and sports categories. Using reflexive thematic analysis, the researchers found two main kinds of minority stress: external problems such as harassment, discrimination, intrusiveness, and non-affirmation, and internal responses such as internalized invalidation, avoidance, negative expectations, disclosure negotiation, and gender dysphoria. Participants often felt discomfort, shame, and social inadequacy and described changing their behavior or hiding their identity to avoid making others uncomfortable.

Key facts:

• The study interviewed 40 nonbinary people in Italy, aged 19 to 36, using semi-structured interviews.
• Researchers used reflexive thematic analysis with both deductive and inductive approaches to analyze the interviews.
• Distal (external) stressors reported included bullying, harassment, discrimination, social intrusiveness and control, non-affirmation, invalidation, and a sense of powerlessness.
• Proximal (internal) stressors reported included internalized invalidation, avoidance coping, negative expectations about being treated badly, negotiation about whether to disclose gender identity, and gender dysphoria.
• Participants reported that intrusiveness, control, non-affirmation, and social invalidation were common in daily life and contributed to feelings of discomfort, shame, and social inadequacy.
• Many participants described prioritizing other people’s comfort and negotiating disclosure of their identity to prevent others from feeling uneasy.
• Because this is a qualitative study with 40 people in one country, the authors note the findings reflect participants’ experiences and may not apply to all nonbinary people in other places or contexts.

Abstract

Findings showed that intrusiveness, control, non-affirmation, and social invalidation represent pervasive elements in the daily experiences of nonbinary individuals, contributing to the internalization of negative emotions referred to the self, including discomfort, shame, and a sense of social inadequacy. Nonbinary individuals may prioritize the comfort of others in social interactions, negotiating the disclosure of their identity to prevent others from feeling uneasy in their presence. Implications for clinical interventions, policy, and future research are discussed.

Topics

Gender Diversity and Inequality Gender Roles and Identity Studies Work-Family Balance Challenges

Categories

Social Sciences Sociology and Political Science

Tags

Gender studies Interpersonal communication Linguistics Philosophy Political science Psychology Social psychology Sociology Stress (linguistics)

Conditions & symptoms

Anxiety Depression Eating Disorder Anxiety or worry Sadness or low mood