This thesis uses the limited research on LGBTQ+ specific hypervigilance and queer battle fatigue to explore the prevalence of hypervigilance and fatigue in trans+ medical experiences, even when emotions aren't centered in their narratives, while also using participants' narratives and minority stress theory to suggest changes to the American medical system. Data was taken from a previous study of in-depth interviews on healthcare experiences of 60 trans+ young adults ages 18-24. Analysis of the data was done in NVivo using line-by-line coding for mentions of emotional responses linked to hypervigilance within interview transcripts. Results show that 67% of participants shared fears about their medical care. The main themes revolved around being outed by medical providers to unsupportive parents, along with avoiding medical help out of fear of being mistreated by the provider and/or staff. Participants also shared frustration with having to educate medical providers and others in positions of power about their care or even having to go so far as to "reenter the closet" to ease through interactions. 58% of participants reported feeling anxiety and fatigue around their healthcare visits. The implications of this thesis are that the scholarship on trans+ hypervigilance applies to experiences when not asked about hypervigilance but also suggests adding ‘frustration' to transgender hypervigilance categories. Secondly, queer battle fatigue applies to systems outside of education, in this case, healthcare. Finally, the findings from this study further corroborate that the current medical systems can negatively impact trans+ patients and propose ways to de-center cisnormativity from healthcare.

Bakgrund: Transpersoner är en utsatt patientgrupp inom sjukvården, vilket även inkluderar röntgenavdelningar. Ofta finns det brister i bemötandet av patientgruppen då de blir utsatta för diskrimineringar och kränkningar vilket resulterar i att färre transpersoner väljer att söka fortsatt vård. En ökad förståelse för patientgruppens problem behövs för att främja god vård.   Syfte: Syftet med studien var att belysa transpersoners erfarenhet av bemötande inom vården.   Metod: En litteraturstudie bestående av resultaten från åtta kvalitativa studier genomfördes. Artiklarna söktes fram via PubMed och CINAHL. Artiklarna kvalitetsgranskades varefter deras resultat analyserades och sammanställdes.   Resultat: Tre huvudteman och sju underteman identifierades. De tre huvudtemana var En känsla av utsatthet, Träffa på okunskap samt Vilja bli respekterad. Resultatet visade på flertalet negativa känslor och upplevelser av bemötande från sjukvårdspersonal, men att detta kunde minskas när sjukvårdspersonalen visade på respekt, ärlighet och öppenhet.   Konklusion: Sjukvårdspersonal har ofta bristande kompetens om transpersoners vårdbehov. Röntgensjuksköterskan har en stor möjlighet att förbättra transpersoners upplevelser under röntgenundersökningar genom att visa respekt och öppenhet. Genom att öka sin kompetens inom bemötande av transpersoner samt få en bättre förståelse för deras specifika vårdbehov kan röntgensjuksköterskan skapa en bättre vård för patientgruppen och undvika att de undviker vård i framtiden. / Background: Transgender people are a vulnerable patient group within healthcare, which includes radiology departments. Transgender people are met by discriminating behavior from healthcare professionals which results in a reduced chance of seeking future care. An increased understanding of this patient group’s struggles is needed to facilitate good care.   Aim: The aim of this study was to describe transgender people’s experiences of interacting with healthcare staff and systems.   Methods: A literature review was conducted based on eight qualitative studies. Database searches were performed in PubMed and CINAHL. The studies were quality checked after which their results were analyzed and compiled.   Results: Three main themes and seven subthemes were identified; A Feeling of Vulnerability, Being Met with a Lack of Knowledge, and Wanting to Be Respected. The result described different aspects of interactions with healthcare professionals that were deemed as negative and caused gender dysphoria, although this could be avoided when the healthcare professional showed respect, honesty and openness.   Conclusion: Healthcare professionals often have a limited competency regarding the healthcare needs of transgender people. The radiographer can improve the healthcare experience of transgender people by showing respect and openness. The radiographer can improve transgender people’s healthcare experiences by increasing their competency relating to interacting with transgender patients and attaining a better understanding of their specific healthcare needs, leading to less of them avoiding healthcare in the future.

[pt] Este trabalho é fruto da conjunção de quatro escritos independentes, mas que guardam entre si o mesmo fio contudor, o mesmo leitmotiv: a psicopatologia da vida sexual, em geral, e o diagnóstico de disforia de gênero, em particular. Ele busca perfazer a genealogia da categoria diagnóstica no DSM, analisando os dispositivos de poder que a engendraram e a mantêm no rol dos transtornos psiquiátricos. Discutimos sua função como sustentáculo do tratamento transicionador, bem como os efeitos a longo prazo deste último. Por fim, propomos um prognóstico do diagnóstico baseados nas contingências contemporâneas e precedentes históricos. / [en] This work is the result of the conjunction of four independent writings, which maintain between them the same leitmotiv, the psychopathology of sexual life in general, and the diagnosis of gender dysphoria in particular. It seeks to make the genealogy of the diagnostic category in the DSM, analyzing the power strategies that produced and maintain it in the role of psychiatric disorders. We discuss its function as a supporter for the transitional treatment model, as well as the long-term effects of the latter. Finally, we propose a prognosis of gender dysphoria diagnosis based on contemporary contingencies and historical precedents.

Between 4.8% and 26% of adults presenting to gender dysphoria clinics have an autism diagnosis. Both autistic people and gender-diverse people have higher rates of mental health conditions including anxiety and depression and more difficulties with executive functioning, all of which impact quality of life. Some work suggests that gender affirmation leads to better mental health outcomes, including better executive functioning, but this has not been studied directly in autistic adults who identify as gender-diverse or transgender. As such, we elected to explore the relationships among these variables at this intersection of gender diversity and autism. In a sample of 54 gender-diverse individuals, almost half of whom were autistic, we found that having planned, scheduled, or completed gender-affirming surgical procedures were associated with improved anxiety and depression symptoms, and with better executive functioning. We noticed that within this group there were high levels of anxiety, so much so that the anxiety appeared to be overwhelming our other analyses. In all of our analyses, increased anxiety was associated with worse executive functioning, and in many of our analyses, further steps in gender affirmation was associated with decreased anxiety. Findings suggest that clinicians can support gender-diverse people by helping them with their mental health, particularly with managing their anxiety.

Transgender media representation is generally plagued with problems, and rarely have I experienced transgender media representation where I feel seen, or where I feel as though it is made from a distinctly transgender-centric perspective. This dissertation develops a theorization of meaningful transgender representation in video games from the perspective of transgender people. Meaningful representation entails thoughtfully included, complex, and trans-coded characters as seen as such by transgender people, and as such require transgender people to be involved in their creation. Situated between literature on cultural studies, transgender studies, and game studies, I interrogated the following research questions: what does meaningful transgender representation look like in video games? What is involved in making meaningful transgender representation in games? And what do players think about transgender representation in video games? Starting autoethnographically from my own experience with trans video game representation, I used a combination of textual analysis and close reading on eight characters in video games with significant transgender representation, analyzed paratexts like published interviews and game wikis, and utilized semi-structured interviews with three game creators and consultants, one game journalist, and 31 players that had encountered these eight characters to answer my research questions. I argue that there are distinctive features of meaningful transgender representation that include characters being significantly present; characters and their transness being thoughtfully included in the game; having an alignment being transgender identity, physical appearance, and voice acting; and characters looking and feeling distinctly transgender. In addition, I argue that trans involvement is important to crafting iii transgender representation as I found demographic differences in how transgender players thought of and received these characters in comparison to others. This finding also signals that transgender audiences are receiving, and therefore thinking about, this representation in different ways than cisgender or LGBQ players. As explored through paratexts and interviews with game creators and consultants, game companies that valued diversity, involved transgender folks in the process of creating these characters, and prioritized organic inclusion (Christian & White, 2020) created the most meaningful transgender representation. By offering specific evidence across the textual, producer, and audience sides, I show that including transgender folks in the creation process leads to more meaningful representation as read by all players in my sample, as articulated by folks I talked to and read about in the production process, and in the same way that transgender characters being incorporated thoughtfully throughout the game leads to more meaningful transgender representation. Ultimately, meaningful transgender representation is that which is made by, about, and for transgender audiences. Meaningful transgender representation offers the possibility for transgender folks to feel seen and to experience media that feels real; in addition, it encourages cisgender folks to experience media through a trans-centric gaze. / Media & Communication

An essay and short story collection about rebirth and being trans and neurodivergent. The essays and stories cover the entire length of my MA, but are mostly written before I came out as trans and edited after. The arc follows this discovery as well as the discovery of my writing following more experimental means including the twisting and playing with the braided essay, the introduction of essaying moves to fiction forms, and moving from what I thought was about death to what I realized I was writing all along about rebirth.

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore Black transgender men's experiences navigating systems of racism and transphobia. To this end, I utilized a critical race theory and intersectionality theory framework to answer the following question: What are Black transgender men's experiences with power, privilege, and oppression? The ten Black transgender men and transmasculine people who participated in this study provided detailed and moving accounts of their experiences with systems of oppression. Six major themes were prominent throughout participant narratives: (1) developing an empowered view of self, (2) navigating double consciousness, (3) having a target on your back, (4) strategies of resilience, (5) culture of silence, and (6) finding quality care. Overall, participants offered insight and keen awareness of their intersecting racial and gender identities, as well as speaking intimately about how the shift from societal perceptions and identification as a Black woman to a Black man impacted their sense of self and views of the world. Additionally, implications and conclusions drawn from the stories of participants offer recommendations for counselors, mental health professionals, practitioners, and programs to consider implementing to provide culturally responsive and competent care to Black transgender men.

Text in English with abstracts in English and isiZulu / This qualitative study set out to discover the lived experiences of South African transgender individuals within the liminal space of having been confirmed for gender affirming surgery, yet who have not completed their surgery. The aim included seeking out how participants’ wellbeing was affected by being within this liminal space. Six participants were recruited in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town. Thematic analysis was used to derive themes from the transcripts. Themes included coming out; relationships; wellbeing; misgendering/misnaming; support; public and private medical care; and liminality. Recommendations for future studies are included, and recommendations on interventions and support are discussed. / Lolu cwaningo lohlobo lwekhethelo lenzelwe ukuthola noma ukubheka izinselelo zabantu abafuna ukushintsha ubulili babo baseNingizimu Afrika ababhekana nazo uma basohlelweni lokuyohlinzwa ngoDokotela ukuze bakhone ukushintsha ubulili babo. Inhloso yalolu cwaningo ukubheka ngqo kubantu abayihambile lena ndima ukuthi bahlukumezeka kanjani ngesikhathi basohlelweni lokuthi bashintshe ubulili babo. Abantu abayisithupha abazibandakanye nalolu cwaningo batholakale eGoli, ePitoli kanye naseKapa. Kusetshenziswe ucwaningo olubheka indikimba ukuze kutholwe izihloko ezivele embalweni osuselwe enkulumeni eqoshiweyo. Izihloko ezivelayo yilezi, ubudlelwano; impilo; ukubizwa ngobulili ongasibona/ukubizwa ngegama okungasilona elakho; ukwesekwa; usizo lwezibhedlela zikahulumeni nezibhedlela ezizimele; kanye nokuba sesimeni sokushintsha ubulili. Izincomo zocwaningo oluzayo zifakiwe nazo, kuphindwe kwakhulunywa noma kwabhekwa ukuthi kungangenelelwa kanjani ngosizo. / M.A. (Clinical Psychology) / Psychology

The aim of this master thesis in Ethnology and Folkloristics is to study how non-binary transgender people relate to words and identity positions which concerns primarily gender and sexuality. What are their opinions on words such as intergender, queer, trans, man, woman, lesbian and gay? What role do such words play in their everyday life and in the construction of their identities? The study is based on interviews with eight people. Six of the informants have non-binary gender identities and two of them are transgender women with some non-binary experiences. At the time of the interviews, the informants were between 21 and 37 years old. The thesis consists of five chapters, whereof the first chapter introduces the topic, the material and the theoretical foundation of the thesis. The main theoretical framework for this study is queer theories. In the second chapter, some aspects of the everyday life of the informants are presented. How is it to live with a non-binary gender identity? Many informants give an account of the complications which occur because they are neither women nor men. People of the majority population often consider their identities unreal and unintelligible. In chapter three it is discussed how the informants explain their relationship to different words for non-binary gender identities. Their reasons for choosing to use certain words to define themselves with are also presented. Some informants claim that they would prefer to live in a world where they did not have to name themselves. Yet every informant still uses different words to describe themselves with. In chapter four it is demonstrated how choosing a word for one’s identity is a process affected by other aspects in a person’s life. The informants decide on a word for themselves depending on the people around them. Furthermore, sexuality and sexual identity also play a big part in how they conceive and name their gender identity. Finally, chapter five consists of a summary of the thesis and a short passage to widen the discussion

The Kin Selection Hypothesis proposes that the genes associated with male androphilia (i.e., sexual attraction/arousal to adult males) may be maintained over evolutionary time if the fitness costs of not reproducing directly are offset by increasing one’s indirect fitness. Theoretically, this could be accomplished by allocating altruism toward kin which would increase the recipient’s ability to survive and reproduce. Evidence for this hypothesis has been garnered through research conducted in Samoa however, no support has been garnered from research conducted in more industrialized cultures (i.e., USA, UK, Japan). In this thesis, I use a Canadian population to examine: (1) the role geographic proximity plays in the expression of androphilic male avuncularity and (2) whether androphilic males direct altruism toward the children of friends who might represent proxies for nieces and nephews in more industrialized cultures. Other sociocultural factors that potentially influence the expression of androphilic male avuncularity are also discussed. / ix, 81 leaves ; 29 cm