Transgender and non-binary (TGNB) individuals are a community who experience inequities across health and social domains when compared to cisgender individuals. Past research has suggested that the pressures and expectations that the TGNB community experiences may be contributing to poorer overall wellbeing but has not discussed experiences of obligation. The current research project aimed to hear experiences of obligation experienced by TGNB young adults, as well as to identify what aspects of life may be reinforcing these obligations to oneself as well as to others. Participants were recruited through physical posters around the university campus as well as in businesses along the local main street. These posters linked to an expression of interest survey, from which participants were invited to attend a focus group. Seven focus groups with a total of 24 TGNB participants were run in a semi-structured style to discuss ideas and experiences of obligations. These participants were aged 18-25 and had a range of gender identities including agender, female, gender diverse, genderfluid, genderqueer/queer, male, non-binary, transmasc, and questioning. The focus groups were recorded and transcribed before being analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four themes were identified to describe the experiences of obligation for TGNB people, as well as aspects of life that reinforce obligations. The first theme covers the obligation to be a ‘good’ TGNB person, including two subthemes of being ‘good’ by meeting everyone’s expectations and being ‘good’ by being polite and palatable. The second theme describes obligations related to fulfilling multiple roles and intersectionality. The third theme addresses participants’ experiences of feeling required to be the expert on TGNB topics. The fourth theme covers the obligation to accept conflicting narratives about TGNB journeys. This theme includes two subthemes describing passive narrative acceptance where TGNB individuals uphold transnormative stereotypes about TGNB journeys, and active narrative control where TGNB individuals aim to manage how they are perceived by others. These findings demonstrate specific experiences of obligation unique to TGNB community members, highlighting the interconnected external and internal nature of these obligations. This research also highlights how these obligations are reinforced by the negative societal views of TGNB identities, transnormative ideals, and the perceived homogeneity of the TGNB community. The current research project adds to foundational knowledge about the lived experience of TGNB community members with the hope of informing meaningful interventions focused on minimising obligations by encouraging TGNB allies to engage in advocacy, as well as highlighting the specific need to provide accessible support services for the TGNB community.
Jordan Rogers (Mon,) studied this question.