This qualitative study examines the experiences and functions of gender among people who do not identify their genders as exclusively either man or woman (e.g., genderfluid, nonconforming, agender, genderqueer, multigender, nonbinary people). In this paper, we use the term “not-binary” as an inclusive term that refers to these gender identities categorically. Semi-structured interviews with 17 participants living in the U.S. focused on meanings and functions of gender; processes of navigating intrapersonal, interpersonal, and sociopolitical experiences; and intersectional identities. Responses were analyzed using critical-constructivist grounded theory method (Levitt in Essentials of critical-constructivist grounded theory research, American Psychological Association, 2021). Findings revealed that participants intentionally engaged in processes of gender exploration, contestation, and transformation to deliberately challenge and reshape their own conceptualization of gender and that of others. Participants shared the meanings of their identities and pronouns for expressing their sense of self, and how they wished others to interact with them, as well as the complications of language for expressing genders that can be fluid and changing. In addition, participants conveyed the experience of having their gender identities politicized and their rights contested on the national stage. Expanding the transnormative narrative that focuses on gender dysphoria, participants highlighted affirming community and positive and euphoric gender experiences that supported them to engage in resistance to oppressive forces. These findings underscore the importance of education on not-binary experiences, the provision of gender affirming care, and the correction of public misinformation for the well-being of non-binary individuals.

这项定性研究考察了不认为自己的性别完全是男性或女性的人（例如，性别流动、不合格、无性别、性别酷儿、多性别、非二元性别）的性别体验和功能。在本文中，我们使用“非二元”一词作为一个包容性术语，明确指代这些性别认同。对 17 名居住在美国的参与者进行了半结构化访谈，重点关注性别的含义和功能;驾驭个人内部、人际和社会政治经验的过程;和交叉身份。使用批判建构主义扎根理论方法分析响应（Levitt in Essentials of critical-constructivist grounded theory research，美国心理学会，2021 年）。研究结果显示，参与者有意识地参与性别探索、争论和转变的过程，以刻意挑战和重塑自己和他人的性别概念。参与者分享了他们的身份和代词表达自我意识的含义，以及他们希望他人如何与他们互动，以及语言表达性别的复杂性，这些性别可以是流动和变化的。此外，参与者还传达了他们的性别认同被政治化、他们的权利在国家舞台上受到挑战的经历。参与者扩展了以性别焦虑为重点的跨规范叙事，强调了肯定的社区以及支持他们参与抵抗压迫力量的积极和欣快的性别经历。 这些发现强调了对非二元性别经历进行教育、提供性别肯定护理以及纠正公共错误信息以促进非二元性别个体福祉的重要性。