Genderqueer identity and self-perception

This interview study investigated how ten biologically female individuals who identify as genderqueer view their gender identity. Genderqueer was defined as incongruence among biological sex, gender identity and socially prescribed gender, and experiencing one's gender as outside the gender binary. On the Bern Sex Role Inventory and Sexual Identity Scale the majority of participants' gender expression was categorized as masculine and/or both/neither.Seven participants educated others regularly about their genderqueer identity, and eight made adjustments to the way they expressed their gender when they felt the other person would have difficulty comprehending non-binary gender.Common experiences among participants included: anxiety about others' reactions in public restrooms, questions about who to come out to as genderqueer, others imposing the binary, concerns about safety, anticipating how others will perceive arid respond to gender, experiencing differential treatment, blaming oneself for gender differences, and feelings of invisibility.A little more than half discussed the complexity when other personal identities intersect with gender identity. Queer and gender-variant community issues were discussed, including differing knowledge about genderqueer identities, tensions that arise about gender non-conformity, and importance of letting others know about the lack of homogeneity among genderqueer individuals. Participants felt that being genderqueer provided them with unique and valuable insight, and felt it important to share this perspective with others. All ten felt that being genderqueer was a way to be true to themselves and provided them with freedom from the constraints of the binary. Gender non-conformity as it relates to psychotherapy was also discussed.Quotations from interviews illustrate each of the themes. Nine participants made distinctions between sex and gender, six viewed gender as socially constructed, and all conceptualized gender as fluid. All experienced their gender non-conformity as being present across their lifetime, yet nine conformed to the binary for a portion of their lives. Seven experienced life events that provided an opportunity to alter their gender expression or re-label their gender identity. Half of participants stressed the important role that learning about gender theory, internet research, and talking to others played in their gender identification...