Stabilizer codes form a special class of quantum error correcting codes. Nonbinary quantum stabilizer codes are studied in this thesis. A lot of work on binary quantum stabilizer codes has been done. Nonbinary stabilizer codes have received much less attention. Various results on binary stabilizer codes such as various code families and general code constructions are generalized to the nonbinary case in this thesis. The lower bound on the minimum distance of a code is nothing but the minimum distance of the currently best known code. The focus of this research is to improve the lower bounds on this minimum distance. To achieve this goal, various existing quantum codes are studied that have good minimum distance. Some new families of nonbinary stabilizer codes such as quantum BCH codes are constructed. Different ways of constructing new codes from the existing ones are also found. All these constructions together help improve the lower bounds.

Stabilizer codes form a special class of quantum error correcting codes. Nonbinary quantum stabilizer codes are studied in this thesis. A lot of work on binary quantum stabilizer codes has been done. Nonbinary stabilizer codes have received much less attention. Various results on binary stabilizer codes such as various code families and general code constructions are generalized to the nonbinary case in this thesis. The lower bound on the minimum distance of a code is nothing but the minimum distance of the currently best known code. The focus of this research is to improve the lower bounds on this minimum distance. To achieve this goal, various existing quantum codes are studied that have good minimum distance. Some new families of nonbinary stabilizer codes such as quantum BCH codes are constructed. Different ways of constructing new codes from the existing ones are also found. All these constructions together help improve the lower bounds.

With the proliferation of gender identity labels in the last twenty years, more individuals are identifying outside of a binary understanding of gender. Agender individuals are among this group, but we know very little about their experiences. Gender theorists have examined the ways that gender is performative and structural, but present theory does not provide the tools to understand the experiences of those outside of the binary, and even more so those who identify outside of gender altogether. To address this gap, I ask how agender individuals define their experience and how they navigate a binary gendered world. To answer these questions, I draw on 14 in-depth interviews with agender individuals as well as data from the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey. First, I show the ways that agender individuals can understand this identity and how it shapes their experiences. Second, I develop a framework of four strategies (avoidance, advocacy, performance, and acquiescence) to analyze how agender individuals navigate gendered space. I concluded with a discussion of theoretical and empirical contributions as well as implications for future research.

The most popular class of quantum error correcting codes is stabilizer codes. Binary quantum stabilizer codes have been well studied, and Calderbank, Rains, Shor and Sloane (July 1998) have constructed a table of upper bounds on the minimum distance of these codes using linear programming methods. However, not much is known in the case of nonbinary stabilizer codes. In this thesis, we establish a bridge between selforthogonal classical codes over the finite field containing q2 elements and quantum codes, extending and unifying previous work by Matsumoto and Uyematsu (2000), Ashikhmin and Knill (November 2001), Kim and Walker (2004). We construct a table of upper bounds on the minimum distance of the stabilizer codes using linear programming methods that are tighter than currently known bounds. Finally, we derive code construction techniques that will help us find new codes from existing ones. All these results help us to gain a better understanding of the theory of nonbinary stabilizer codes.

The most popular class of quantum error correcting codes is stabilizer codes. Binary quantum stabilizer codes have been well studied, and Calderbank, Rains, Shor and Sloane (July 1998) have constructed a table of upper bounds on the minimum distance of these codes using linear programming methods. However, not much is known in the case of nonbinary stabilizer codes. In this thesis, we establish a bridge between selforthogonal classical codes over the finite field containing q2 elements and quantum codes, extending and unifying previous work by Matsumoto and Uyematsu (2000), Ashikhmin and Knill (November 2001), Kim and Walker (2004). We construct a table of upper bounds on the minimum distance of the stabilizer codes using linear programming methods that are tighter than currently known bounds. Finally, we derive code construction techniques that will help us find new codes from existing ones. All these results help us to gain a better understanding of the theory of nonbinary stabilizer codes.

The gender binary is a pervasive idea in society which suggests that there only exist two genders – man and woman. The wide array of differing gender identities would suggest otherwise. Identifying as nonbinary means that you reject the gender binary and identify somewhere between, in both, or beyond the binary. However, research on nonbinary identities has been relatively scarce which suggests an importance of furthering the knowledge in the area. This study aims to examine how nonbinary students navigate their identity at university in Sweden. This is done by examining and trying to understand (1) their experience and treatment by peers and teachers, (2) how they manage these experiences at university, and (3) the experiences that obstruct and facilitate their navigation of their identity. To answer the aim, semi- structured interviews with 6 participants were conducted and analyzed with the help of thematic analysis. The empirical data was analyzed through the lens of cisnormativity, which refers to the idea that everyone’s gender identity is and should be congruent with the one assigned at birth. The findings shows that while nonbinary students in Sweden have generally good relations towards peers and faculty, they are all exposed to microaggressions in the form of misgendering, deadnaming, and invalidating experiences. To manage these discriminating interactions, they develop strategies in the form of preventive measures, avoiding confrontation, confronting behavior as well as the responsibility to educate. The experiences of facing these obstacles as well as the exclusion and erasure of nonbinary identities, was easier facilitated with the support and kinship from peers and faculty. These findings emphasize the importance of removing the burden of responsibility from nonbinary people by normalizing gender identities outside the binary and inviting them into the master narrative of cisnormativity.

The binary conception of gender as solely male or female has had a great impact to nonbinary and intersex people in the societal and legal field. Their ability to enjoy human rights is impacted by the current normative confines of sex and gender. The aim of the following paper is to investigate how Malta and Germany have included intersex people and/or nonbinary identities in their legislation and through a socio-legal analysis examine whether their legislations achieved to provide non-discrimination policies. The paper concludes that the third legal recognition in Malta and Germany is based on different perspectives in order to include populations that do not conform to the binary dichotomy and that seek legal recognition.

Researchers continually identify gender dysphoria as a significant mental health concern for many transgender individuals. Physical and mental health providers use the existing medical model to conceptualize and design treatment for gender dysphoria. This means that gender dysphoria is currently viewed and treated as an internal concern isolated to the individual. Researchers have also identified that external factors, such as discrimination and societal prejudice, have a significantly negative impact on the health of transgender individuals. Given that current conceptualizations of gender dysphoria focus on internal contributors to distress, external factors that also potentially contribute to gender dysphoria have not yet been explored. To address this gap in the literature, I conducted a study to identify and assess the severity of various external factors that may contribute to self-reported levels of gender dysphoria in transgender individuals. I recruited 195 participants who identify as transgender and who report experiencing gender dysphoria. Participants completed a survey that included the Transgender Congruence Scale, the Gender Preoccupation and Stability Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Gender Minority Stress and Resilience subscales, and the Gender Dysphoria from External Contributors Measure, a series of Likert-type scales developed for the present study that measure frequency of gender dysphoria experienced in a variety of external contexts. I conducted hierarchical multiple regression analyses to evaluate predictors for gender dysphoria from external contributors and gender dysphoria from internal contributors. Gender dysphoria from internal contributors was significantly associated with gender dysphoria from external contributors (r = 0.51). Several predictors uniquely predicted external contributors (i.e. gender-related rejection and gender-related discrimination) while others uniquely predicted internal contributors (i.e. internalized transphobia). Findings indicate that focusing solely on internal contributors generates an incomplete conceptualization of gender dysphoria. The results from this study allow for a more comprehensive understanding of gender dysphoria and the ways in which it impacts many transgender individuals. These results will be helpful in developing more accurate measures of gender dysphoria, which will lead to more effective, inclusive, and affirmative treatments for gender dysphoria and for transgender individuals in general.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Traditionally, gender has been viewed through an essentialist lens with fixed biology-based traits or polarized gender norms between women and men. As awareness of gender diversity grows, increasingly more people identify as nonbinary – or not exclusively a man or woman. Despite a growing literature on the experiences of binary transgender individuals, little has been explored regarding experiences unique to nonbinary individuals. The research that does include nonbinary individuals focuses primarily on adverse risks and outcomes. As such, a dearth of empirical research exists to understand the unique experiences of nonbinary people and how they relate to wellbeing. A qualitative participatory action study using PhotoVoice was conducted virtually to address the identified gaps in the literature on nonbinary individuals concerning gendered experiences and wellbeing. Prevailing theories of wellbeing informed the study along with minority stress theory and the resilience literature to account for environmental factors of oppression and individual and community resilience. A sample of 17 nonbinary adults in the Midwestern United States was recruited using convenience sampling and participated in online group discussions and individual interviews. The findings were reported in sections corresponding with the three study aims: 1) Explore core dimensions of wellbeing as defined by nonbinary individuals, 2) Identify promotive and corrosive factors of that wellbeing, and 3) Provide recommendations to bolster nonbinary wellbeing. The findings provided a thorough description of how nonbinary individuals perceive their wellbeing concerning their gender and as part of a marginalized population. Thematic analysis identified nine wellbeing themes for how participants conceptualized their wellbeing (e.g., Exploring gender identity and expression, Being connected to community, etc.), seven themes of promotive and corrosive factors of wellbeing (e.g., Positive, accurate, and nuanced representation, Coping skills to manage minority stressors, etc.), and three themes of recommendations (e.g., personal, interpersonal, and professional) with eighteen strategies to bolster wellbeing among nonbinary individuals and communities. The significance of the findings to social work was discussed, including practice application and advocacy. This study contributes to PhotoVoice methodology, wellbeing literature, and trans literature.

Research on influences of eating disorders have informed diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders, particularly for White cisgender women. A Perfect Biopsychosocial Storm is a theory of influences of disordered eating development: sociocultural influences of rigid body shape and size ideals, high rates of trauma and violence, experiences of objectification and sexualization, and biological changes (Maine & Bunnell, 2010). For transgender individuals, recent findings suggest disparities and negative mental health outcomes such as elevated prevalence of disordered eating, body image concerns, and self-reported disordered eating. For transgender men and women, researchers found that disordered eating may be related to attempts to masculinize/feminize the body, through effects like suppression of weight and secondary sex characteristics. For nonbinary individuals, motivations are unclear regarding masculinization/feminization. Further, while previous research has implicated experiences of marginalization in reduced body appreciation, impact on disordered eating behaviors in nonbinary individuals have yet to be explored. This study addressed gaps in research regarding experiences of nonbinary individuals with disordered eating. Through Grounded Theory qualitative analysis, I developed a framework to understand disordered eating among nonbinary individuals. Disordered eating was the surface-level manifestations of experiences such as trauma, distress surrounding bodily changes in puberty, and marginalization. Repeated marginalization, like misgendering and identity erasure, created conditions of shame to be associated with identity and self. Shame is a universal emotion that occurs when one does something they perceive as social transgressive and, thus, prevents connection. Shame motivates individuals to reduce socially transgressive behavior to increase connection with others. When one experiences marginalization and repeated shame surrounding identity, identity and self then can be experienced as a social transgression that prevents belonging. For example, participants described feelings of shame in comparison to the stereotypical image of a nonbinary person (White, masculine-leaning/androgynous, thin, tall). Disordered eating facilitated emotional coping, and, for some participants, helped achievement of gender presentation. Disordered eating also was associated with consequences of further shame around eating behaviors, and feelings of lack of control. Recovery and healing was supported through combating shame and disempowerment: being seen and empowerment through choice.