Why Can’t You Just Pick One? The Stigmatization of Non-binary/Genderqueer People by Cis and Trans Men and Women: An Empirical Test of Norm-Centered Stigma Theory

• Published in: Sex roles 2021-09, Vol.85 (5-6), p.343-356
• Main Author: Worthen, Meredith G. F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behavioral Science and Psychology; Cisgender; Females; Gender identity; Gender Studies; Males; Medicine/Public Health; Men; Non-binary gender; Norms; Original Article; Psychology; Social power; Sociology; Statistical Data; Stigma; Transgender persons; Women
• ISSN: 0360-0025; 1573-2762
• DOI: 10.1007/s11199-020-01216-z

Non-binary and genderqueer identities often resonate with people whose genders are outside the man-woman dichotomy, fluid, androgynous, and/or variant. Yet the gender binary system remains the unwavering norm, often placing non-binary and genderqueer people on the margins of social acceptability, and surprisingly little research has investigated those who stigmatize non-binary/genderqueer people. The current study utilizes Worthen’s ( 2020 ) Norm-Centered Stigma Theory (NCST) and nationally representative data collected from U.S. online panelists ( n  = 3009: 1419 cis men, 1461 cis women, 74 trans women, 55 trans men) to investigate how norms (cisnormativity) and gender identity axes of social power (man/woman, cis/trans, and intersecting cis/trans-man/woman identities) relate to the stigmatization of non-binary/genderqueer people. Overall findings indicate that (a) cisnormativity is integral to understanding non-binary/genderqueer stigma, (b) the stigmatizer’s gender identity axes of social power are essential to explore as related to both cisnormativity and non-binary/genderqueer stigma, and (c) cisgender women are significantly different from others when it comes to both cisnormativity and non-binary/genderqueer stigma. Overall, the results underscore the significance of focusing on the unique complexities involved in the stigmatization of non-binary/genderqueer people and work toward dismantling such negativities.