Genderqueer Exclusion and the Non-binary Travel Experience
Author: Leah O'Neill
1 Commentries
Abstract: Genderqueer individuals are part of the LGBTQ+ community that combined possess the largest buying power of all minority groups in the U.S., yet these individuals continue to face both overt and indirect exclusion from travel and tourism, largely due to logistical and societal challenges discussed in this conference paper.
Key Words: Genderqueer, Non-binary, Gender non-conforming, Social exclusion
The terms genderqueer and non-binary are umbrella terms for a multitude of gender nonconforming identities, providing a superordinate expression for those who are not ‘adequately represented by an either/or choice between man and woman’ (Richards et al., 2018). Genderqueer individuals are often victims of societal injustice and face social exclusion in their daily lives, thus exclusion within tourism and leisure is also expected. Distinguishing between voluntary and involuntary social exclusion, the conference paper depicts the logistical and routine challenges experienced by non-binary individuals in addition to highlighting progressive action towards social inclusion for non-binary travellers, compared to the resistance imposed from traditional perspectives.
The right to rest and leisure time is a human right declared by the United Nations. Thus, the obstacles faced by genderqueer individuals should be removed to ensure safety during leisure and recreation time. The main obstacles highlighted in the paper surround gender-neutral bathrooms and the administrative challenges associated with travel documents. With 59% of genderqueer individuals avoiding public bathrooms due to a ‘fear of confrontation’ and a further 12% experiencing verbal and physical harassment, including sexual assault, safety is not ensured and the social exclusion from most public venues is highlighted (Bovens and Marcoci, 2020).
To produce the conference paper a semi-structured interview was conducted with a 21-year-old student identifying as both non-binary and a lesbian, utilising the pronouns she/her. The semi-structured interview gathered primary data on the individuals travel experiences having travelled for both leisure and educational purposes to multiple destinations. Themes within the data allude to several of the microaggressions proposed by Nadal et al., (2016) including heteronormative endorsement. Microaggressions are a form of ‘contemporary discrimination’ often contributing to social exclusion; they are often ‘subtle’ and ‘automatic’ actions or occurrences that create a hostile environment for minority groups. Heteronormative endorsement is often imposed on non-binary individuals where it is expected of them to ‘conform to the dominant culture’ and ‘hide their gender identity’ or sexuality. The participant identified an individuals shock upon finding on they were queer, depicting how travelling allowed them to experience ‘different peoples levels of ignorance to the LGBT community from different cultures’. Furthermore, the participant highlighted the use of particularly ‘gendered language’ within the hospitality and ‘service industry’ that frequently erase non-binary individuals visibility and presence within society. This also aligns with ‘nonaffirmation’, using the incorrect titles or pronouns of a genderqueer individual. Once made aware of an individual’s identity, refusing to address them by their preferred and expressed pronouns due to ‘rigidity, bias or apathy’ contributes to the ‘invalidation’ of genderqueer individuals, further excluding them from society and the activities of society conforming individuals.
When discussing obstacles associated with travelling as a non-binary individual, the participant prioritised convenience when travelling over being addressed and acknowledged by their preferred gender, as they perceive it as being ‘easier’. The lack of support from tourist organisations and the constant resistance to the implementation of progressive actions, such as gender-neutral toilets, that are often perceived as a ‘burden’ to cisgender citizens opposed to being beneficial for all societal residents, propel the perception that to non-binary travellers it is indeed ‘easier’ to conform to traditional regulations and mask their identities.
Nadal et al., (2016) reinforces the lack of research studying non-binary and genderqueer individuals specifically, stating that as of 2016 there were zero publications discussing microaggressions faced by genderqueer individuals, opposed to the LGBTQ+ community as a whole. This in itself relates to the microagression of assuming that the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals are ‘universal’, stereotyping the community as a ‘homogenous group’. Moreover, when refining the subject further, academic research into the challenges, obstacles and exclusion genderqueer travel and leisure seekers face is minimal. Thus, this study aimed to give a voice and narrative to a non-binary citizen with contemporary travel experience to highlight their individual experiences of social exclusion. With non-binary and genderqueer identities gradually becoming more widely used in society, acknowledging and providing facilities appropriate for genderqueer individuals, within public leisure venues and wider society, is crucial to progress towards social inclusion.
References
Bovens, L. and Marcoci, A. (2020) The gender-neutral bathroom: a new frame and some nudges. Behavioural Public Policy. 1-24. Available from https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/behavioural-public-policy/article/genderneutral-bathroom-a-new-frame-and-some-nudges/C6CDCA42BAEBCE684B243EB9773A771C [accessed 23 May 2021].
Nadal, K.L., Whitman, C.N., Davis, L.S., Erazo, T. and Davidoff, K.C. (2016) Microaggressions Toward Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Genderqueer People: A Review of the Literature. The Journal of Sex Research, 53(4-5), 488-508. Available from https://web-a-ebscohost-com.proxy.library.lincoln.ac.uk/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=f66eba37-4563-4142-aae6-7622cbb9d0a9%40sdc-v-sessmgr03 [accessed 5 May 2021].
Richards, C., Bouman, W.P. and Barker, M. (2018) Genderqueer and Non-Binary Genders. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Key Words: Genderqueer, Non-binary, Gender non-conforming, Social exclusion
The terms genderqueer and non-binary are umbrella terms for a multitude of gender nonconforming identities, providing a superordinate expression for those who are not ‘adequately represented by an either/or choice between man and woman’ (Richards et al., 2018). Genderqueer individuals are often victims of societal injustice and face social exclusion in their daily lives, thus exclusion within tourism and leisure is also expected. Distinguishing between voluntary and involuntary social exclusion, the conference paper depicts the logistical and routine challenges experienced by non-binary individuals in addition to highlighting progressive action towards social inclusion for non-binary travellers, compared to the resistance imposed from traditional perspectives.
The right to rest and leisure time is a human right declared by the United Nations. Thus, the obstacles faced by genderqueer individuals should be removed to ensure safety during leisure and recreation time. The main obstacles highlighted in the paper surround gender-neutral bathrooms and the administrative challenges associated with travel documents. With 59% of genderqueer individuals avoiding public bathrooms due to a ‘fear of confrontation’ and a further 12% experiencing verbal and physical harassment, including sexual assault, safety is not ensured and the social exclusion from most public venues is highlighted (Bovens and Marcoci, 2020).
To produce the conference paper a semi-structured interview was conducted with a 21-year-old student identifying as both non-binary and a lesbian, utilising the pronouns she/her. The semi-structured interview gathered primary data on the individuals travel experiences having travelled for both leisure and educational purposes to multiple destinations. Themes within the data allude to several of the microaggressions proposed by Nadal et al., (2016) including heteronormative endorsement. Microaggressions are a form of ‘contemporary discrimination’ often contributing to social exclusion; they are often ‘subtle’ and ‘automatic’ actions or occurrences that create a hostile environment for minority groups. Heteronormative endorsement is often imposed on non-binary individuals where it is expected of them to ‘conform to the dominant culture’ and ‘hide their gender identity’ or sexuality. The participant identified an individuals shock upon finding on they were queer, depicting how travelling allowed them to experience ‘different peoples levels of ignorance to the LGBT community from different cultures’. Furthermore, the participant highlighted the use of particularly ‘gendered language’ within the hospitality and ‘service industry’ that frequently erase non-binary individuals visibility and presence within society. This also aligns with ‘nonaffirmation’, using the incorrect titles or pronouns of a genderqueer individual. Once made aware of an individual’s identity, refusing to address them by their preferred and expressed pronouns due to ‘rigidity, bias or apathy’ contributes to the ‘invalidation’ of genderqueer individuals, further excluding them from society and the activities of society conforming individuals.
When discussing obstacles associated with travelling as a non-binary individual, the participant prioritised convenience when travelling over being addressed and acknowledged by their preferred gender, as they perceive it as being ‘easier’. The lack of support from tourist organisations and the constant resistance to the implementation of progressive actions, such as gender-neutral toilets, that are often perceived as a ‘burden’ to cisgender citizens opposed to being beneficial for all societal residents, propel the perception that to non-binary travellers it is indeed ‘easier’ to conform to traditional regulations and mask their identities.
Nadal et al., (2016) reinforces the lack of research studying non-binary and genderqueer individuals specifically, stating that as of 2016 there were zero publications discussing microaggressions faced by genderqueer individuals, opposed to the LGBTQ+ community as a whole. This in itself relates to the microagression of assuming that the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals are ‘universal’, stereotyping the community as a ‘homogenous group’. Moreover, when refining the subject further, academic research into the challenges, obstacles and exclusion genderqueer travel and leisure seekers face is minimal. Thus, this study aimed to give a voice and narrative to a non-binary citizen with contemporary travel experience to highlight their individual experiences of social exclusion. With non-binary and genderqueer identities gradually becoming more widely used in society, acknowledging and providing facilities appropriate for genderqueer individuals, within public leisure venues and wider society, is crucial to progress towards social inclusion.
References
Bovens, L. and Marcoci, A. (2020) The gender-neutral bathroom: a new frame and some nudges. Behavioural Public Policy. 1-24. Available from https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/behavioural-public-policy/article/genderneutral-bathroom-a-new-frame-and-some-nudges/C6CDCA42BAEBCE684B243EB9773A771C [accessed 23 May 2021].
Nadal, K.L., Whitman, C.N., Davis, L.S., Erazo, T. and Davidoff, K.C. (2016) Microaggressions Toward Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Genderqueer People: A Review of the Literature. The Journal of Sex Research, 53(4-5), 488-508. Available from https://web-a-ebscohost-com.proxy.library.lincoln.ac.uk/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=f66eba37-4563-4142-aae6-7622cbb9d0a9%40sdc-v-sessmgr03 [accessed 5 May 2021].
Richards, C., Bouman, W.P. and Barker, M. (2018) Genderqueer and Non-Binary Genders. London: Palgrave Macmillan.