The Social Costs of Gender Nonconformity for Transgender Adults: Implications for Discrimination and Health

Research suggests that transgender people face high levels of discrimination in society, which may contribute to their disproportionate risk for poor health. However, little is known about whether gender nonconformity, as a visible marker of one's stigmatized status as a transgender individual,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sociological forum (Randolph, N.J.) N.J.), 2015-09, Vol.30 (3), p.809-831
Main Authors: Miller, Lisa R., Grollman, Eric Anthony
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
discrimination
gender nonconformity
Gender roles
health
minority stress
Original
Risk theory
Social costs
Sociological theory
stigma
Survey analysis
U.S.A
Well-being
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Summary:Research suggests that transgender people face high levels of discrimination in society, which may contribute to their disproportionate risk for poor health. However, little is known about whether gender nonconformity, as a visible marker of one's stigmatized status as a transgender individual, heightens trans people's experiences with discrimination and, in turn, their health. Using data from the largest survey of transgender adults in the United States, the National Transgender Discrimination Survey (N = 4,115), we examine the associations among gender nonconformity, transphobic discrimination, and health-harming behaviors (i.e., attempted suicide, drug I alcohol abuse, and smoking). The results suggest that gender nonconforming trans people face more discrimination and, in turn, are more likely to engage in health-harming behaviors than trans people who are gender conforming. Our findings highlight the important role of gender nonconformity in the social experiences and well-being of transgender people.
ISSN:0884-8971
1573-7861
DOI:10.1111/socf.12193