Bodily Autonomy and Stress Management in Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) Populations Through Body Modification in Alabama

The purpose of this study is to examine the lived experience of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals in Alabama and to identify a preliminary, explanatory cultural model for bodily autonomy in this population. To develop this model, I explored the intersection of gender identity, bodily autonomy, body modifications and stressors as experienced by TGD individuals living within a legislatively hostile state. I conducted semi-structured interviews (n=16) and collected survey data (n=41) with TGD individuals in Alabama and analyzed this data using the theory of gender performativity (Butler 1990; 2004). I investigated how participants perceived their autonomy, as well as the stressors that they may encounter as a TGD individual. Results show transphobia, negative perceptions, attitudes, or behaviors towards TGD individuals as a major stressor. Gender performativity theory suggests that transphobia acts as a stressor because participants work against a pre-existing system of beliefs around gender identity. Community support in fictive kinships and GAHC acts as a stress mitigator that buffers the effects of transphobia. Due to the power of community support, participants describe having the autonomy to express their genders comfortably, as well as work to dismantle transphobia through normalization of TGD identity. Gender performativity theory explains how body modifications were one of the few ways participants enacted expression autonomy in a community-supported manner. Binary and non-binary interview participants are found to have different lived experiences through the lens of gender performativity. This research should serve as an entry point for larger scale research on intersectional TGD identities.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Alabama Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Ryu, Emily Jean

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Decaro, Jason
• Horan, Holly

Contributors dc:contributor

• Lynn, Christopher
• Chiou, Katherine

• bodily autonomy
• body modification
• gender identity
• gender performativity theory
• stressors
• transgender

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US, English

Dc Identifier Other

1101351

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ir.ua.edu:123456789/15350