Gender Expression Research Articles

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Among Donor-Conceived Offspring in the U.S. National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study from Adolescence to Adulthood

Abstract Introduction Concerns about parents with minoritized sexual identities often focus on the belief that their children will be confused about their gender and report a non-heterosexual orientation compared to children reared by heterosexual parents. Yet, few longitudinal studies exist. Methods Gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and sexual experiences were examined in 75 U.S. donor-conceived offspring (39 assigned females at birth (AFAB) and 36 assigned males at birth (AMAB)) of lesbian parents, when the offspring had reached adulthood (ages 30–33). Additionally, 72 of these offspring (38 AFAB and 34 AMAB) had also completed surveys in adolescence (age 17, data collected 2004–2009) and emerging adulthood (age 25, data collected 2012–2017), which enabled us to examine the developmental pathways of their sexuality. Results All AMAB offspring and 94.7% of AFAB offspring who identified as cisgender during adolescence continued to do so during emerging adulthood and adulthood. Over time, sexual orientation was more fluid than gender identity, and AFAB offspring were more fluid than AMAB offspring. Specifically, considering those who reported the same (heterosexual/straight; lesbian, gay/homosexual; or bisexual+) sexual orientation from adolescence through emerging adulthood to adulthood, 63.9% were AFAB and 82.4% were AMAB. More than half of AFAB offspring and 80.6% of AMAB offspring identified as heterosexual in adulthood, and the vast majority had had sex with a non-transgender man (86.5%) and a non-transgender woman (93.6%), respectively, in the last 5 years. Conclusions This is the only study that has followed the biological offspring of lesbian parents from birth to adulthood, prospectively and longitudinally. The results indicate that offspring of lesbian parents are less likely to identify as transgender than the general public, but more likely to identify as LGB or queer. Policy Implications As gender and sexual identity development significantly impacts well-being, creating supportive environments for offspring of lesbian parents and increasing public awareness of the connections among developmental milestones, health, and thriving are vital.

The Pervasive Influence of Shipping Culture in K-pop and Its Impact on Gender Dynamics

Among the KPOP culture, it involves different fan activities for example music, dancing. This article discusses the relationship between shipping couple culture and gender issues. The shipping couple culture refers to the phenomenon of being enthusiastic about combining two or more fictional characters into a romantic relationship. This article analyzes the background, characteristics, and influence of this culture, and explores its interaction with gender issues. Firstly, the article discusses the impact of the couple culture on gender expression and identity. Secondly, this article explores the potential of this type of culture in creating new gender models and shaping gender equality concepts. Then, this article analyzes the gender stereotypes and binary oppositions in the culture of drug abuse, as well as the limitations and challenges to gender diversity and inclusivity. Finally, the article points out the significant impact of the interaction between shipping couple culture and gender issues on individuals and society and proposes some future research directions.

THE ORGANIZATION OF GENDER: EXPLORING THE LEXICON OF THE PROFESSION

The article examines issues such as gender identity, gender expression, gender roles, and gender stereotypes, emphasizing their importance in defining society norms and individual experiences. It covers the gender binary's limitations and critiques, as well as the different identities of genderqueer and non-binary people. The essay also discusses the connections of gender with other social identities through the lens of intersectionality.

Minority Stressors, Social Provisions, and Past-Year Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts in a Sample of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression Minority People in Canada.

Purpose: Mental health disparities in sexual orientation and/or gender identity and/or expression (SOGIE) minority groups are well-documented, with research consistently showing higher levels of suicidality, even in Canada, considered one of the world's most accepting countries of SOGIE minority groups. Adverse outcomes in these groups are often framed using minority stress theory, with social support frequently studied as an integral buffer to these outcomes. This analysis explores facets of minority stress and social support associated with past-year suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Methods: A cross-sectional internet survey of SOGIE diverse people in Canada (n = 1542) was conducted. Binary logistic regression calculated bivariate and multivariate factors associated with past-year suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Backward elimination (retaining sociodemographic factors and self-rated mental health) identified salient minority stress and social support (provisions) factors. Results: Over half (56.72%) of participants had ever thought of dying by suicide, with 24.84% having attempted suicide. During the past year, 26.80% had thought of dying by suicide, with 5.32% having attempted suicide. Victimization events, and guidance (e.g., someone to talk to about important decisions) and attachment (e.g., close relationships providing emotional security) social provision subscales remained salient after backward elimination procedures. Conclusion: Our findings emphasize that a fulsome, multilevel approach considering structural, community, and individual strategies to address overt discrimination, integrating social connections and guidance, is necessary to prevent dying by suicide.

Gender Diversity-Related Mental Health Care: Evidence, Trends, Obstacles

Abstract Gender identity may be experienced within a broad spectrum beyond the binary understanding of sex concerning genital characteristics. In people with gender identities not congruent with the gender culturally associated with the sex assigned at birth, distress related to biopsychosocial correlates of this condition may arise. In current diagnostic systems, this is considered within the framework of “Gender Incongruence” (ICD-11) and “Gender Dysphoria” (DSM 5). Although this diversity is known to be present throughout the ages, the terms related to gender identity were introduced to medical literature a hundred years ago. They were popularized with the advances in medical procedures that assist individuals in acquiring physical features aligning with their gender identity and expression. There has been an increase in research interest with increasing numbers in medical centers working on gender-affirmative medical procedures. Starting from the 1970s, international organizations prepared guidelines on the standards of care for trans and gender diverse (TGD) individuals. Despite all the progress in the gender-affirming medical care provided to TGD individuals and the changes in the legal recognition of gender, health inequalities persist globally. The discrepancy in mental and physical health conditions has long been shown to be associated with “minority stress.” The minority stress perspective suggests that distal and proximal chronic stressors arising from society are associated with adverse health outcomes for TGD individuals. Resilience against these stressors is more robust with better coping styles and social support. Lately, structural stigma and discrimination have been shown to be an important source of inequality. Therefore, much more progress is still required with respect to societal inequalities, human rights, and structural transphobia for the improvements in medical care to impact the global health condition of TGD people. However, lately, there have been attempts to restrict TGD individuals’ access to medical care and their legal rights, even if they were not close to the level they ought to be. This backlash mostly sits on the discussion on the management of TGD adolescents and children. Models of care for these age groups have been developed for decades, and despite evidence of the protective and beneficial effects on health and development, in many countries, there are attempts to block their access to medical care. Growing debate on TGD care turned into a political combat, where scientific evidence and human rights perspectives are often ignored. These tendencies present a strong challenge for public health and the professional identity and practice of healthcare professionals.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Commodifying adolescence for performance and profit: Language and gender in Japanese idol music

Japanese pop idols occupy an ambiguous position in the broader popular music landscape, straddling a line between fiction and non-fiction, simultaneously characterological yet physically instantiated. As idealized representations of the girl or boy next door, idols serve as both ‘image characters’ who can be used to sell a variety of products, as well as ‘quasi companions’ meant to provide fans with a manufactured sense of intimacy. Using a joint quantitative and qualitative approach, this article analyses the lyrics of female idol groups. Specifically, I demonstrate how the combination of first- and second-person pronouns and sentence-final expressions are utilized to construct both female-coded and male-coded gendered personae, revealing that idol lyrics engage in the process of cross-gender performance. As a result, through their performance of these personae, female idol groups explicitly reinforce a binary imagination of normative gender expressions, allowing such idol groups to capitalize on idealized heterosexual adolescence through affective resonance and nostalgia.

Supplemental Material for The Relationship Between Self-Rated Gender Expression and Exclusively Heterosexual Identification Among Individuals Who Report Same-Sex Attractions or Sexual Practices

Supplemental Material for The Relationship Between Self-Rated Gender Expression and Exclusively Heterosexual Identification Among Individuals Who Report Same-Sex Attractions or Sexual Practices

Gender socialisation and perception of gender by non-heteronormative people

The submitted report focuses on the results of research carried out for a bachelor’s thesis titled “gender socialisation and perception of gender by non-heteronormative people”, in which the author focuses on gender socialisation of interviewees of non-heteronormative gender and/or sexual identity, their narrative about gender identity (in general, as well as personal sense) and gender expression, social roles expected of them as a result of their gender assigned at birth and restrictions they face in their daily life due to their gender identity. Social constructivism points out that masculinity and femininity are not constant but able-to-be-modified fluid products of everyday interactions. The process of constructing one’s gender connotates strictly with domineering discourse defining norms of masculine and feminine behaviour, which become overwhelmingly restrictive in regards to an individual’s thinking and actions. For this research, data was gathered from nine individual in-depth interviews supported by a script. During those interviews, interlocutors shared their personal stories about their gendered upbringing, explained what it means to identify with gender on a spectrum, indicated it through appearance and described their coming-out experiences.

Empowerment of transgender people through intervention and food skill training

Gender is a term that is used when referring to social, cultural, and psychological characteristics that affect and pertain to stereotypes, norms, traits, and roles of men and women “Gender diversity exists in every culture and geographic context. Transgender people are people whose gender identity is different from the gender they were thought to be at birth. "Trans" is often used as a shorthand for transgender. Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity or gender expression differs from the sex they were designed at birth. Aim and Objectives: To empower the transgender through intervention and food processing training. To collect the socio-demographic profile of the transgender population. To provide the entrepreneurship skill training on food processing. To provide the intervention on reproductive health. Materials and Methods: In this study, 100 transgender persons were selected by a random method. Variables including age, anthropometric factors, food habits were recorded for each case. The socio-demographic variables, anthropometric, clinical assessment, dietary pattern, and associated factors of transgender are evaluated using an appropriate questionnaire. Statistical comparison of means among different groups was performed using SPSS version 17.0. Before and after without control design was adopted for this study, such as design a single test group or area is selected and the dependent variable is measured before the introduction of the treatment. The treatment is then introduced and the dependent variable is measured again after the treatment has been introduced. And provide skill training on food processing-malted foods, Vegetable preservation, and processing, Bakery products development. Results: There were significant differences in anthropometric factors including height, weight, and BMI among the literacy levels (p<0.01). And acquired knowledge on food processing skills, trained to prepare various food products, empowered to start self-employment, Improvement of transgender population living standard.

(O-39) CIRANDA- HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND SEXUALITY: EXPERIENCE OF A SEXUAL EDUCATION SERVICE IN BRAZIL

Abstract Introduction Sexuality Education is a comprehensive educational process that includes knowledge, skills and values that enable children, young people and adults to make conscious and responsible decisions about their sexual experiences and sexuality. Addresses topics such as biological sex, sexual health care, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Objective Describe the dynamics of an interdisciplinary service that aims to promote sexual education of people, in person and/or in a virtual environment. Materials and Methods Ciranda-Sexuality and Human Behavior is a sexual education service created in November 2019 by a physiotherapist and a psychologist, specialists in Human Sexuality where together they promote educational actions with a theoretical-scientific basis, in an in-person and virtual environment, such as conferences and conversation circles, live broadcasts and promotion of educational materials, posted through social networks, networks such as Instagram and other communication channels, with the aim of promoting the improvement of the exercise of sexuality by addressing various educational topics. sexual for the population. Results In December 2019, a conversation round was held with the presence of 20 women. With the pandemic, at the beginning of 2020, Ciranda's activities became virtual, where the presence of people from different parts of Brazil and other countries was possible. In March 2020, with the support of a marketing consultant, an Instagram page was developed where we have reached 2035 followers to date, 241 posts with educational content including videos, texts with accessible vocabulary and live streams viewed. In addition, we held talks and roundtables through the Google Meet platform for approximately 100 women. In 2022 we return to face-to-face activities Financing No conflict.

Evidence of Differences in Gender-Affirming School Experiences in a Sample of Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth

Past and current research has often utilized a binary (ie, man/woman) category to measure gender and/or has combined multiple transgender identities into singular groups (eg, transgender girls and nonbinary youth as one category). However, transgender communities are heterogeneous and encompass much more than commonly recognized labels such as only transgender boys/girls and nonbinary youth. Furthermore, the small body of research that has investigated differences within transgender communities based on gender identity has found important health and behavioral differences. Using a large, national sample of transgender youth (N = 3,570), we investigated differences in health-relevant gender-affirming school experiences (ie, being referred to by the correct pronouns or name, authentic gender expression through clothing, and access to restrooms/locker rooms) among diverse transgender youth. Adjusted models (for outness, sexual identity, age, and caregiver education) indicated that transgender boys and transgender girls reported significantly worse gender-specific experiences in schools related to pronoun and chosen name use as well as access to restrooms/locker rooms compared with youth with nonbinary gender-diverse identities (eg, demigender and nonbinary), with some exceptions. Furthermore, transgender boys reported greater authentic gender expression through clothing relative to most other youth with nonbinary gender-diverse identities (eg, gender nonconforming and multiother). These findings have implications for how we might develop targeted interventions given that we pinpoint several disparities in health-relevant gender-affirming school experiences among transgender youth based on their specific gender identity. Finally, this provides stakeholders with a greater understanding of the extent of heterogeneity within transgender communities.

“I was largely unguided trying to figure it out on my own”: experiences of genital tucking among transfeminine and gender diverse individuals

Background Genital tucking, defined as the use of any nonsurgical method to reduce the appearance of the penis and/or testes to align with one’s gender expression, is a common gender-affirming practice among transfeminine and gender diverse (TFGD) individuals. However, little is known about TFGD individuals’ experiences of genital tucking beyond limited research on its fertility impacts. Aims This study aims to better understand TFGD individuals’ experiences of tucking, focusing specifically on the factors influencing TFGD individuals’ tucking practices and the health impacts of tucking on TFGD communities. Materials and Methods Participants were administered a 3-part online survey collecting: (1) Demographic information, (2) Information about gender-affirming care, and (3) Information about tucking practices. The survey included both closed-ended and open-ended questions. Responses to open-ended questions were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Descriptive statistics were generated for closed-ended questions. Results Ninety-nine TFGD individuals (M age = 32.35 years, Range = 20–72 years) completed the survey. Four main themes were developed through analysis of participant responses: (1) Dysphoria as a motivation for tucking; (2) Information-seeking through online trans community; (3) Mixed satisfaction with tucking methods, materials, and practices; and (4) The overlooked health implications of tucking. Discussion Healthcare providers have an obligation to support TFGD individuals in developing safe tucking practices, which necessitates increased understanding of the relationship between tucking and dysphoria, awareness of the online community resources currently informing TFGD individuals’ tucking practices, and commitment to developing affirming spaces for TFGD individuals to discuss the impacts of tucking on their health.

Abstract P114: Micro RNAs Associated With Clinical Classifiers of Gender, Race and Ethnicity in the Diabetes Prevention Program

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a prominent risk factor for both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). MicroRNAs (miRs) are small noncoding RNA molecules that target messenger RNAs to alter gene expression. Circulating miRs have been studied as potential clinically meaningful biomarkers of risk for MetS as they are readily measured from blood. Though associations among MetS components and social constructs of race, ethnicity, and gender have previously been established, grouping according to these constructs alone may conflate genetic ancestry with the environmental/behavioral effects of being characterized as a particular gender, race, or ethnicity. The purpose of this study was to identify differences in circulating miRs associated with demographic factors and MetS components to better illuminate the nuanced health impacts of race, ethnicity and gender. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of a subset of participants (N=1000) from the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). A custom Fireplex assay was used to quantify miRs from banked plasma collected at baseline. Correlations between miRs and metabolic syndrome components were assessed by Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Multivariable linear models adjusted for age and weight were used to analyze associations between gender, race, ethnicity, and miR expression. The Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) method was applied. Results: The sample was 68% female, 19% Black, 15% Hispanic, and mean age was 52 ± 10 years. After adjusting for multiple comparisons (FDR<0.05), female gender was positively associated with miRs 320c and 320a, and negatively associated with miR 122. Among 17 miRs associated with race and ethnicity, five (23a, 24, 27a, 92a, and 146a) had different directions of the race and ethnicity-miR associations across Black, Hispanic, and Other race and ethnic groups. Of the miRs significantly associated with gender, race, and ethnicity, 12 were significantly correlated with one or more component of MetS. Two miRs were significantly correlated with fasting glucose (22, 15a), four with HDL cholesterol (122, 23a, 22, 192), four with triglycerides (122, 106b, 22, 192), six with systolic blood pressure (122, 106b, 23a, 27a, 146a, 221), two with diastolic blood pressure (24, 27a), and seven with waist circumference (320c, 320a, 106b, 23a, 24, 27). Conclusions: Significant differences in the enrichment of MetS component-associated miRs were identified across gender, race, and ethnic groups. Obtaining a greater understanding of demographic differences in miRs may aid in measuring the relationship between constructs of race, ethnicity, and gender and clinical parameters, and potentially inform future studies of circulating miRs as quantifiable diagnostic, prognostic, and/or therapeutic biomarkers for the impacts of social determinants within the context of underlying genetic ancestry.

Gender Tapestry: gender classification as color assignation

AbstractGender Tapestry is a multi-stage interactive AI art project, challenging traditional gender classification systems. This project diverges from binary approaches by recognizing the individuality of the gender experience and expression. This paper draws parallels to the ways color perception differs amongst people and how gender is also experienced in different ways due to lived experiences. Gender Tapestry uses a multi-label classification system, with predictions extending across six gender categories, with a custom RGB color generated based on the outcomes. Participants receive binary images of their face in their personalized colors and styles, while their uploaded photos contribute to a live Generative Adversarial Network training process. This work was created in response to the very binary representations of gender in AI and the lack of representation for genders outside of the binary. The culmination is an evolving mosaic artwork, incorporating all users' custom colors, illustrating gender as a fluid construct. The mosaic gains in complexity as more images are added and more colors enter the mix, creating a community artwork on gender as a 3D color spectrum. This work contributes to the discourse on diversity and inclusion in AI, emphasizing the fluidity of gender and fostering unconventional artistic representations.

Hanfu catwalk shows: A performance of Chinese femininities

This article analyses the complex relationship between the construction of gender identities among young Chinese females and the practice of dressing up in Hanfu attire. The study employs the perspectives of dress as a situated embodied practice, the performativity of gender and the catwalk as a form of performance art. By drawing on an ethnography of self-defined Hanfu fans in Beijing, China, the authors investigate how the female participants construct femininities through performing on Hanfu catwalks. The ethnographic findings are that, first, the Hanfu catwalk mediates the intricate interplay of Chinese aesthetic norms and gender expression between performers and the audience. Second, wearing Hanfu is an embodied practice unifying the Hanfu costume style, gender construction and corporeal acts, situated in China’s sociopolitical context. Third, Chinese femininity is complex, with both flexibility and internal conflicts, reflecting China’s paradoxical modernization.

Reflection of the Development of Female Subject Consciousness: Based on the Tendency of Gender Role Division in Danmei Literature

"Danmei" culture is an important part of contemporary youth subculture, among which "original Danmei literature" is a form of online literature that can reflect the level of female subject consciousness. This article starts from the development history of Danmei literature, takes the tendency of the artificial division of gender roles in Danmei works as the theme, and analyzes the classic seme-uke model that appears in Danmei literary works and the further division of gender roles in the ABO worldview. Under the trend of gender role division in Danmei literature, the two protagonists, who are both biological males, are artificially divided into different gender expressions, and even under the ABO worldview, they are divided into sex physiological structural differences, which brings about a gender gap. Danmei literature has returned to the traditional gender power logic, and female subject consciousness has been eliminated to a certain extent, showing the negative side of the development of Danmei literature.

Sound symbolism in Japanese names: Machine learning approaches to gender classification.

This study investigates the sound symbolic expressions of gender in Japanese names with machine learning algorithms. The main goal of this study is to explore how gender is expressed in the phonemes that make up Japanese names and whether systematic sound-meaning mappings, observed in Indo-European languages, extend to Japanese. In addition to this, this study compares the performance of machine learning algorithms. Random Forest and XGBoost algorithms are trained using the sounds of names and the typical gender of the referents as the dependent variable. Each algorithm is cross-validated using k-fold cross-validation (28 folds) and tested on samples not included in the training cycle. Both algorithms are shown to be reasonably accurate at classifying names into gender categories; however, the XGBoost model performs significantly better than the Random Forest algorithm. Feature importance scores reveal that certain sounds carry gender information. Namely, the voiced bilabial nasal /m/ and voiceless velar consonant /k/ were associated with femininity, and the high front vowel /i/ were associated with masculinity. The association observed for /i/ and /k/ stand contrary to typical patterns found in other languages, suggesting that Japanese is unique in the sound symbolic expression of gender. This study highlights the importance of considering cultural and linguistic nuances in sound symbolism research and underscores the advantage of XGBoost in capturing complex relationships within the data for improved classification accuracy. These findings contribute to the understanding of sound symbolism and gender associations in language.

The Impact of Neutral Gender Characters in Electronic Games on Adolescents Gender Cognition and Strategies for Improvement

This study aims to explore the influence of neutral gender characters in electronic games on adolescents gender cognition and proposes potential improvement strategies for the current situation. The research employs an interview-based approach to investigate the gender-related confusion encountered by adolescents during their developmental stages and examines the current status of neutral gender characters in the contemporary electronic game market, tracing their origins. As adolescents are in a stage of developing gender identity, the introduction of neutral gender characters in electronic games may contribute to fostering positive gender identity and exploration. Consequently, the goal of this study is to better understand the shaping role of electronic games on adolescents gender perceptions, promote the gaming industry toward more diverse and inclusive gender expressions, advance societal gender equality perspectives, stimulate adolescents creative expression, and cultivate a broader societal attitude of openness and respect towards diverse genders.

Recognizing, Evaluating, and Prioritizing the Fundamental Factors Influencing the Growing Prevalence of Transgender and Non-Binary Gender Identity in the Pediatric Population

This review observes the growing demographic of individuals identifying as transgender or non-binary, which currently represents approximately 1.3% (depending on the source) of the U.S. population. This population is shown to skew younger.Environmental xenobiotics, particularly those containing endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), are scrutinized for their role in affecting hormonal regulation crucial for gender identity differentiation. The research also highlights how exposure to pharmaceuticals with endocrine-disrupting properties may induce atypical patterns in gender identity development, suggesting that a variety of exogenous elements could impact neuroendocrine sexual differentiation.Medical disorders associated with altered androgen levels, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS), are considered for their potential influence on gender identity from a biological perspective. Moreover, the role of diet and nutrition, particularly plant-based diets rich in phytoestrogens and conditions linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome, are explored for their effects on hormonal balance and, consequently, gender identity expression.This review acknowledges the significant impact of media representation and societal norms on shaping attitudes concerning gender expression and identity.The article points to psychological assessments and somatic markers as tools to explore prenatal hormone influences on gender identity, though emphasizing that they are not definitive. Furthermore, genetic and epigenetic findings offer a more in-depth understanding but lack diagnostic application. The identification and recognition of transgender and non-binary individuals continue to be self-determined processes that defy objective measurement by current medical standards.

Perceptual representation of speaker gender in Spanish-English bilingual listeners

The perceptual representation of speaker gender in monolingual English listeners has been found to be gradient and 2-dimensional. However, both gender expression and listener attribution of a speaker’s gender are known to vary by cultural and linguistic norms. Thus, listeners’ attribution of a speaker’s gender is expected to vary based on the cultural and linguistic practices of their community. This study examined the perceptual representation of speaker gender in Spanish-English bilingual listeners at the U.S./Mexico border of El Paso, TX. Twenty-four Spanish-English bilingual speakers of diverse gender identities (e.g., cisgender men, cisgender women, and transgender women) were audio recorded reading sentences from the English and Spanish versions of the Hearing in Noise Test. Nineteen cisgender Spanish-English bilingual listeners completed an auditory free classification paradigm, in which they classified speakers by perceived general similarity and gender identity in both Spanish and English conditions. Multidimensional scaling of listeners’ classifications in each language revealed that listeners organized speakers in a more expansive perceptual space in English (3 dimensions) as compared to Spanish (2 dimensions). Dimension weightings indicated that, in Spanish, listeners placed more emphasis on Dimension 1 as compared to Dimension 2 when classifying speakers, while, in English, listeners equally weighted the 3 dimensions.