Attitudes Toward Nonbinary Gender Identity

Abstract 

This research is part of the initial, inductive stages of development of a research instrument that measures attitudes toward nonbinary gender identity. While measures of attitudes toward transgender people exist, nonbinary gender identity is a different concept that may evoke different attitudes, as it exists outside of the “male” or “female” dichotomy of traditional gender constructs. The research discussed today is a qualitative picture of what sorts of feelings, thoughts, and behaviors nonbinary people have experienced from others in regard to their gender identity. Fifty-five nonbinary participants completed a qualitative survey with open ended questions about these topics. We analyzed the data using Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). The data aligned into six thematic areas of attitudes toward nonbinary people and their gender identity, with several subthemes for each theme: Hostile Attitudes (Violent/Aggressive, Preconceived Bias, Contemptuous, Pathologizing, Dehumanizing); Dismissive (Troublemakers/Annoyance, Dismissive, Rejecting); Passive (Indifferent, Avoidant, Ignorant); Progressive (Willing to Learn, Questioning, Anxious); and Affirming (Celebration, Support, Validation). These themes are presented and discussed in terms of centering the experiences of nonbinary people and increasing affirming attitudes toward nonbinary gender.  

Biographical Statement 

Deborah Miller is a licensed psychologist and Assistant Professor of psychology. Her areas of research interest are around LGBTQ+ issues, particularly around how people feel about and behave toward transgender and nonbinary people. She is currently working on creating a measure of attitudes toward nonbinary gender identity.