This study extends the literature on the impact of the family of origin on gender identity by theorizing about refusing gender. We define refusing gender as the intimate refusal of gender identity by family members that is perceived as intentional and deliberate by transgender and nonbinary people in the United States. In this article, we demonstrate how refusing gender is intimate, perceived as intentional, embedded within existing family instabilities, and disruptive of family relationships. This study is based on interviews from a racially diverse group of 25 transgender and nonbinary adults in Texas, half of whom report high rates of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Findings contribute to gender theory by revealing the importance of the family in recognizing gender identity. This research makes novel connections between existing family instability, including histories of abuse, and gender refusal. We embed gender recognition within persistent family dynamics, including long-standing family instabilities and family violence, arguing that these family dynamics persist in the lives of adult children. Overall, these findings demonstrate how cisnormativity is reproduced in family life, filling significant gaps in theorizing about transgender and nonbinary family life.

中文翻译：

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拒绝性别：对性别认同的亲密（错误）认知及其与家庭不稳定的关系


这项研究通过对拒绝性别的理论化，扩展了有关原生家庭对性别认同影响的文献。我们将拒绝性别定义为家庭成员对性别认同的亲密拒绝，这被美国的跨性别者和非二元性别者视为有意和故意的。在这篇文章中，我们展示了拒绝性别是如何亲密的、被认为是故意的、嵌入现有的家庭不稳定之中以及如何破坏家庭关系的。这项研究基于对德克萨斯州 25 名跨性别和非二元成年人的不同种族群体的采访，其中一半人报告了不良童年经历 (ACE) 的发生率很高。研究结果揭示了家庭在认识性别认同方面的重要性，对性别理论做出了贡献。这项研究在现有的家庭不稳定（包括虐待史）和拒绝性别之间建立了新的联系。我们将性别认知嵌入持续的家庭动态中，包括长期的家庭不稳定和家庭暴力，认为这些家庭动态持续存在于成年子女的生活中。总的来说，这些发现证明了顺规范性是如何在家庭生活中再现的，填补了跨性别和非二元家庭生活理论的重大空白。