Sponsor
Portland State University. Department of Sociology
First Advisor
Aaron Roussell
Term of Graduation
Fall 2025
Date of Publication
12-16-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Sociology
Department
Sociology
Language
English
Subjects
disidentifications, identification documents, imperial matrix, nonbinary, third gender
Physical Description
1 online resource (xi, 171 pages)
Abstract
Since 2018 twenty-two states and the District of Columbia have implemented administrative changes that provide a third gender option on at least one state identification document allowing nonbinary and intersex people the opportunity to select a gender marker that reflects their gender identity. This study draws from 28 interviews with agender or otherwise nonbinary people living in Maryland and California. I use queer of color and critical trans theory to consider the implications of legal gender marker changes. This research explores how social, historical, and geographical location can influence ones' awareness of, experiences with, and relation to real and imagined power that shapes and constrains life chances and choices. While all participants had complex forms of nonbinary subjectivity, the data shows a variety of perspectives related to legal gender markers changes. Some participants find value in state recognition and regulation of nonbinary subjectivity, while others are suspicious of the increased surveillance and risks related to larger scale intersectional implications that extend beyond individual-level benefits. This work explores the how nonbinary people disidentify with gender, and the ways community, family, relationships, work, media, and movement shapes decisions around gender marker choices.
Rights
In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/44408
Recommended Citation
Strange, Wynn, ""I Like the Idea in Theory": Experiencing the Imperial Matrix through Legal Gender Marker Changes and Nonbinary Disidentifications" (2025). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 6991.