Sexual and gender minorities' beliefs about sex, gender, and sexual orientation

Abstract

Using two separate samples, the present research examined how individuals with non-normative sexual and gender identities conceptualize sex, gender, and sexual orientation. Participants rated their beliefs across four dimensions: fixed, binary, (i.e., essentialist beliefs) fluid, and continuous (i.e., social constructionist beliefs). In Study 1, data were obtained from 134 non-heterosexual cisgender individuals who identified as monosexual (n = 52) or plurisexual (n = 82). Data analyses for this study centered on twelve 2 (Gender Identity: Woman vs. Man) X 2 (Sexual Orientation: Monosexual vs. Plurisexual) ANOVAs that compared participants’ answers to the prompts. In Study 2, data were obtained from 530 participants who identified with a trans identity label. Data analyses for this study utilized twelve one-way ANOVAs to compare participants’ answers to the prompts across transfeminine, transmasculine, and non-binary trans identities. The discussion rationalizes instances where the studies’ hypotheses were incorrect. Implications and future directions are considered.