No woman's land? Revisiting border zone denizens.

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Gender Studies
• Queer Theory

Background:

• Research on lesbian and queer masculinities is limited.
• Understanding the nuances of gender identity and expression within these communities is crucial.
• Existing literature often presents distinct categories for gender identities, potentially overlooking overlaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the experiences of lesbian and queer masculinities in the UK.
• To explore the variety of trans identities and their definitions.
• To examine shared experiences and potential resonances between butch, non-binary, queer, and transgender individuals.

Main Methods:

• Empirical survey research conducted in the United Kingdom in 2017.
• Collected over two hundred responses from individuals identifying with lesbian and queer masculinities.
• Qualitative analysis of dominant themes emerging from survey data.

Main Results:

• Identified key themes including the distinction between sexed body and gender identity.
• Observed contradictions in identifying with masculinities while critiquing hegemonic masculinity.
• Noted anxiety regarding the perceived decline of lesbian community and butch lesbian identity.
• Found significant overlap and shared experiences between butch, non-binary, queer, and transgender/transmasculine individuals.
• Reported that sex and gender dysphoria are not exclusive to trans-identified individuals.

Conclusions:

• The boundaries between different gender identities (butch, non-binary, queer, trans) are often overlapping and not rigidly defined.
• Individuals may inhabit multiple identity sites or shift between them.
• Rumors of "border wars" between these identities are exaggerated.
• A strong connection to femaleness or womanhood is not a prerequisite for not adopting a trans identity for some individuals in these "border zones".