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Joyful Bodies, Joyful Minds: Gender Euphoria Among Transgender

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Joyful Bodies, Joyful Minds: Gender Euphoria Among Transgender JOYFUL BODIES, JOYFUL MINDS: GENDER EUPHORIA AMONG TRANSGENDER ADULTS LIVING IN CANADA by © Sam Tacit a thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Gender Studies, Department of Gender Studies Memorial University of Newfoundland June 2020 St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador Abstract Gender euphoria is a relatively recent term to describe positive experiences of transgender identity. There is very limited literature on this term and its implications, despite the impact it can have on positively affecting one’s self-esteem and pride. In this thesis I seek to understand how transgender adults living in Canada define and experience gender euphoria. 26 participants responded to an online survey that included a series of questions regarding their experiences with gender euphoria, and their definitions for the term. Their responses suggest that gender euphoria encompasses many emotional, psychological, and interpersonal factors. The participants described gender euphoria as a complex and emotion-driven experience, often brought about by both internal changes to one’s self-perception and the external validation of others. Keywords: Gender Dysphoria, Gender Euphoria, Transgender, Gender Identity, Phenomenology ii Summary Gender euphoria is a term that has gained traction among transgender communities in recent years to describe happiness and joy in one’s gender identity (ex. feeling like a man, a woman, both, neither, something else, etc.) and gender expression (ex. the clothing, cosmetics, and body language one uses to express their gender identity). However, there is still less research on gender euphoria compared to negative experiences associated with transgender individuals and our communities. In this thesis I seek to understand how 26 transgender adults living across Canada define and experience gender euphoria, as well as its effects on their self-image and their relationships to their bodies. By using an online survey to gather responses, I have determined that participants define gender euphoria as an overall positive emotional experience, and that it generally positively impacts their self-image and relationships to their bodies. iii Acknowledgments I would like to thank my thesis supervisors, Dr. Vicki Hallett and Dr. Sonja Boon. Thank you for your constant support, feedback, constructive criticism, and senses of humour during this process. Without your collective support and knowledge, this thesis would not have been possible. I would also like to thank the faculty, staff, and my fellow students of the Department of Gender Studies at MUN. Thank you for helping me navigate graduate school, for being my friends, and for your warm and thoughtful support. It is because of this welcoming environment that I was able to thrive, to ask questions, to step outside of my comfort zones, and to be challenged to learn about different worldviews. You are the support upon which I leaned during this process. And thank you to my parents, Rose Ritcey and Chris Tacit, for your continued love and support throughout my academic career and my life. You have allowed me to pursue my passions. iv Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... ii Summary ...................................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................................................ iv List of Appendices ...................................................................................................................................... vii Chapter 1: Introduction to Gender Euphoria ................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Gender Euphoria: Beginnings ....................................................................................................... 1 1.2 A Note on Terminology ...................................................................................................................... 6 1.3 Defining Gender Dysphoria ................................................................................................................ 7 Chapter 2: Theory and Method(ology) ....................................................................................................... 10 2.1 Theoretical Frameworks ................................................................................................................... 10 2.2 Methodology and Research Design .................................................................................................. 21 2.3 Methods............................................................................................................................................. 24 Chapter 3: Definitions and Experiences with Gender Euphoria ................................................................. 31 3.1 Chapter Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 31 3.2 Etymology and Analysis ................................................................................................................... 31 3.3 Gender Euphoria, Defined ................................................................................................................ 35 3.4 Lived Experiences with Gender Euphoria ........................................................................................ 45 3.5 Definitions and Experiences: Analysis ............................................................................................. 45 3.6 Chapter Conclusions ......................................................................................................................... 57 Chapter 4: Gender Euphoria, Self-Image, and the Body ............................................................................ 60 4.1 Chapter Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 60 4.2 Self-Image and Gender Euphoria ...................................................................................................... 60 4.3 My Body and Me: Gender Euphoria and the Physical ...................................................................... 65 4.4 Gender Euphoria and Sex ................................................................................................................. 70 4.5 The Body and Beyond ...................................................................................................................... 74 4.6 Chapter Conclusions ......................................................................................................................... 75 Chapter 5: Drawing Conclusions ................................................................................................................ 78 5.1 Strengths and Weaknesses ................................................................................................................ 78 5.2 Suggestions for Future Study ............................................................................................................ 79 5.3 Bringing It All Together ................................................................................................................... 80 References ................................................................................................................................................... 82 v Appendix A: Recruitment Script................................................................................................................. 95 Appendix B: Recruitment Closing Script ................................................................................................... 97 Appendix C: Informed Consent Form ........................................................................................................ 98 Appendix D: Survey Questions................................................................................................................. 102 Appendix E: ICEHR Approval ................................................................................................................. 103 Appendix F: Participant Responses .......................................................................................................... 105 vi List of Appendices Appendix A: Recruitment Script Appendix B: Recruitment Closing Script Appendix C: Informed Consent Form Appendix D: Survey Questions Appendix E: ICEHR Approval Appendix F: Participant Responses vii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO GENDER EUPHORIA Chapter 1: Introduction to Gender Euphoria 1.1 Gender Euphoria: Beginnings The lived experiences of transgender individuals are as multi-faceted and as varied as our names, pronouns, gender expressions, and medical and legal transitions, or lack thereof. However, the most prevalent narrative surrounding transgender individuals is one dominated by pain. Our lives are shaped by the physical trauma of gender affirmation surgeries and adjusting to the changes that hormone replacement therapy cause. We are defined by our devastation and confusion, our uncertainty and fear, and the pathologization we face due to many of us experiencing gender dysphoria. The realities of a higher percentage of homelessness,
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