Antioch University AURA - Antioch University Repository and Archive Student & Alumni Scholarship, including Dissertations & Theses Dissertations & Theses 2017 Trans Gender Identities and Language: Interviews with Recent College Graduates Kelsey Moran Antioch University, New England Follow this and additional works at:http://aura.antioch.edu/etds Part of theClinical Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Moran, Kelsey, "Trans Gender Identities and Language: Interviews with Recent College Graduates" (2017).Dissertations & Theses. 367. http://aura.antioch.edu/etds/367 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Student & Alumni Scholarship, including Dissertations & Theses at AURA - Antioch University Repository and Archive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations & Theses by an authorized administrator of AURA - Antioch University Repository and Archive. For more information, please [email protected], [email protected]. Running head: TRANS GENDER IDENTITIES AND LANGUAGE Trans Gender Identities and Language: Interviews with Recent College Graduates by Kelsey Moran The College of Saint Rose, B.S., 2012 Antioch University New England, M.S., 2015 DISSERTATION Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Psychology in the Department of Clinical Psychology at Antioch University New England 2017 Keene, New Hampshire TRANS GENDER IDENTITIES AND LANGUAGE ii DDISeSpEaRrtTmAeTnItO oNf C ClOinMicMal IPTsTyEchEo PloAgGyE The undersigned have examined the dissertation entitled: TRANS GENDER IDENTITIES AND LANGUANGE: INTERVIEWS WITH RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATES presented on June 22, 2017 Kelseyb yM oran Candidate for the degree of Doctor of Psychology and hereby certify that it is accepted*. Dissertation Committee Chairperson: Gargi Roysircar, Ed.D. Dissertation Committee members: Barbara Belcher-Timme, Psy.D. Wendy Vincent, Psy.D. Accepted by the DepartmenGt eoof rCglien iTcrael mPsbylcahyo,l Poghy.D C.h airperson June 22, 2017 on * Signatures are on file with the Registrar’s Office at Antioch University New England TRANS GENDER IDENTITIES AND LANGUAGE iii Acknowledgments First and foremost, I would like to sincerely thank the people who agreed to share their stories with me. It cannot be overstated how much I appreciate your authenticity, openness, and bravery. It was a pleasure and an honor to be trusted with your perspectives and experiences. I am so grateful for your time and your help. The completion of my dissertation would not have been possible without the endless support of those around me. My sincerest thanks to my dissertation Chair and advisor, Gargi Roysircar, Ed.D., who has guided and anchored me throughout my time at Antioch, particularly during the dissertation process. Thank you to the other two members of my dissertation committee, Barbara Belcher-Timme, Psy.D., and Wendy Vincent, Psy.D., who have provided me with invaluable feedback and support. Thank you to the Psy.D. department at Antioch University New England, especially Liz Allyn, Catherine Peterson, and Nancy Richard, for your kindness and enthusiasm throughout graduate school. Thank you also to my supervisors and colleagues, past and present, for sharing your advice and experiences with me in order to make this feel achievable. Thank you to my family for encouraging me, loving me, and being so patient with me during innumerable stressed out phone calls. Thank you to my friends and loved ones for fiercely and relentlessly cheering me on throughout this process. And finally, thank you to my incredible cohort for experiencing every moment of these past five years with me. I am unbelievably lucky to have so many fantastic and caring people in my life. TRANS GENDER IDENTITIES AND LANGUAGE iv Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1 ......................................................................................................................................... 3 The Current Study ....................................................................................................................... 4 Trans Identities................................................................................................................................ 5 Individual Experiences with Gender Identity ............................................................................. 5 Civil Rights Concerns ................................................................................................................. 5 History of Inequality ....................................................................................................................... 6 Explanation of Gender Identity ................................................................................................... 7 Language of Gender Identity ...................................................................................................... 7 Social Discrimination of Trans People ....................................................................................... 8 Increased Risk of Suicide ............................................................................................................ 9 Protective Factors........................................................................................................................ 9 Diagnostic and Statistical Manuals of Mental Disorders (DSM) ............................................. 10 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................................... 11 Research Questions ................................................................................................................... 12 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................................... 13 Implications of Discrimination for Clinical Psychology .......................................................... 14 APA Ethical Principles ............................................................................................................. 15 Biases ............................................................................................................................................ 16 Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 17 Definition of Terms....................................................................................................................... 17 Chapter 2: Method ........................................................................................................................ 19 TRANS GENDER IDENTITIES AND LANGUAGE v Participants ................................................................................................................................ 19 Procedures ................................................................................................................................. 19 Research Design........................................................................................................................ 21 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................................ 25 Chapter 3: Results ......................................................................................................................... 27 Thematic Clusters and Themes ..................................................................................................... 27 Cluster 1: Positive Experiences ................................................................................................ 27 Cluster 2: Language .................................................................................................................. 29 Cluster 3: Gender Development................................................................................................ 31 Cluster 4: Coming Out .............................................................................................................. 32 Cluster 5: Discrimination .......................................................................................................... 34 Cluster 6: Emotional Reactions ................................................................................................ 36 Cluster 7: Representation and Visibility ................................................................................... 38 Table 1: Thematic Clusters and Themes ............................................................................... 40 Interview Notes Summary ........................................................................................................ 40 Language ............................................................................................................................... 41 Table 2: Gendered Language ................................................................................................ 42 Self-Reflection Notes Summary ............................................................................................... 42 Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 43 Chapter 4: Discussion ................................................................................................................... 44 Research Questions Answered .................................................................................................. 45 Participant Suggestions for Language ...................................................................................... 52 Limitations of the Study............................................................................................................ 54 TRANS GENDER IDENTITIES AND LANGUAGE vi Directions for Future Research ................................................................................................. 55 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 57 References ..................................................................................................................................... 59 Appendix A ................................................................................................................................... 61 Appendix B ................................................................................................................................... 62 Appendix C ................................................................................................................................... 64 Appendix D ................................................................................................................................... 65 Appendix E ................................................................................................................................... 67 Appendix F.................................................................................................................................... 89 Appendix G ................................................................................................................................... 99 TRANS GENDER IDENTITIES AND LANGUAGE vii List of Tables Table 1: Thematic Clusters and Themes…………………………………………………………40 Table 2: Gendered Language……………………………………………………………………42 TRANS GENDER IDENTITIES AND LANGUAGE 1 Abstract There has been an increasingly pervasive need to gain a deeper and more individualized psychological understanding of how people experience their gender identities, as well as how they navigate the complicated and nuanced language of gender. Words carry meaning and it is vital to gain an insightful understanding of the impact of words, whether supportive or discriminatory, on trans people. The present qualitative study utilized phenomenological methods to hold interviews with three trans individuals, who had recently graduated from college, about their unique experiences with gender. Thematic analysis was used to examine common themes that arose throughout the interviews. Seven thematic clusters emerged: Positive Experiences, Language, Gender Development, Coming Out, Discrimination, Emotional Reactions, and Representation and Visibility. Twenty-one themes were organized under the seven clusters. Some of these themes include (a) fear (“that was a big step for me, and I was so scared”), (b) transphobia (“I’ve gotten ‘it’[pronoun] a few times”), (c) familiarity with language (“I appreciate it when people either are pretty up on [gendered language], or are really receptive to learning more about it”), and (d) necessity of support (“just knowing that there are other people like you [who are trans] out there is awesome and empowering”). Exploration of the emerging themes emphasized the individuality of trans individuals and their personal experiences with and opinions of gender. Suggestions for navigating the complicated language of gender, as identified by the participants, are provided in hopes of increasing awareness and safety for the trans community. Limitations of the study included the researcher’s identity and her related biases, the small sample size, and concerns regarding one’s personal safety that may have influenced people to participate or to not participate in the study. Directions for future research include gaining additional understanding of a wide breadth of trans individuals’ TRANS GENDER IDENTITIES AND LANGUAGE 2 intersectional identities (sexuality, race, ethnicity, nationality, class, ability, religion/spirituality, etc.), the experiences of trans individuals, generational differences in gender identities, and positive experiences related to trans identities. Keywords: trans, language, cisgender, gender identity, gender expression, biological sex, sexuality This dissertation is available in open access at AURA: Antioch University Repository and Archive, http://aura.antioch.edu/ and OhioLINK ETD Center, https://etd.ohiolink.edu