Poster #77 - The Role of “Everyday” Peer Interactions in the Development of GQNB Identities

• In Event: Poster Session 07

Abstract

In the United States, gender is predominantly categorized within the gender binary - male or female - and individuals who identify as genderqueer and non-binary (GQNB) face significant marginalization and underrepresentation in society. Prior research suggests that individuals with “border identities,” like GQNB, experience a unique form of marginalization called invalidation (Meyer, 2003). Invalidation undermines, dismisses, and/or denies a person’s identities, which negatively impacts their identity development and contributes to psychological distress (Feinstein et. al, 2019). Contrastingly, peer support (Radkowsky & Siegel, 1997) supports identity development and protects “against adverse mental health outcomes” (Hatzenbuehler et al., 2010). In this qualitative analysis, we ask: How do peer relationships help and/or hinder GQNB individuals as they make sense of their gender identity?

Data were drawn from a qualitative study conducted at a private Midwestern university. This analysis includes 18 GQNB students (15 assigned female, 3 assigned male at birth; M = 20 years, SD = 1.37) of different racial-ethnic backgrounds (white = 9, Black = 2, Asian-American = 3, Latin-American = 2, Multiracial = 2); each completed a one-on-one semi-structured qualitative interview (range: 22 to 98 minutes) via Zoom. We analyzed interview sections discussing gender identity within peer interactions.

Using thematic coding (Braun and Clark, 2006), we found that peer relationships were discussed as sources of validation (n=17) and/or invalidation (n=12) for GQNB participants. Additionally, because of the critical role intersectionality plays in people’s life experiences (Bowleg, 2008), we attended to racial positionality (white vs. BIPOC) in our coding. Three codes emerged for validation: a) Shared LGBTQ+ Identities with peers who can relate to their unique experiences (9 BIPOC, 6 white); b) Testing Identity in Safe Spaces by trying out new pronouns, names, and gender expression in social spaces (online and face-to-face) (6 BIPOC, 6 white); and c) peers who Use Correct Pronouns (3 BIPOC, 4 white). Six codes emerged for invalidation: a) the Absence of Shared GQNB Identities with peers, limiting discussions of gender (1 BIPOC, 2 white); b) navigating Cishet “Ignorance” and feeling misunderstood by cisgender/straight peers (3 BIPOC, 2 white); c) Discrimination - verbal or physical - from peers based on their gender expression (1 BIPOC); d) Internalized Transphobia reflecting participant's discomfort with transgender identity acquired through negative socialization (1 white); e) Lack Intersectionality in gender diverse spaces that were predominantly white (3 BIPOC); and f) navigating Others’ Expectations–peers’ assumptions about participants’ gender identity based on appearances (3 BIPOC, 1 white).

Support from peers with shared intersectional identities is a critical path of identity validation for GQNB people, especially for GQNB BIPOC who find few spaces to interact and develop close relationships with LGBTQ+ peers sharing their racial backgrounds. We also noted how online spaces offer affirming and safe opportunities for identity validation, which may be related to the COVID-19 lockdown, and for some, seemed to catalyze gender identity exploration and reflection. Our ongoing analysis focuses on how GQNB people navigate micro-everyday peer interactions - in person and online - and how these interactions contribute to identity invalidation and mental health among GQNB youth.

Authors

• Joelle Moore
  Presenting Author

• Vanessa Cordova, Northwestern University

• Sarah Eisenman

• Leoandra Onnie Rogers, Northwestern University