Nonbinary people make up approximately one third of the broader trans community, yet most research on trans populations focuses on the experiences of binary trans people (i.e., trans men and trans women). Research has begun to indicate that mental health disparities may differ between binary and nonbinary trans populations and that nonbinary people may be at even greater risk for some mental health disparities compared to binary trans populations. Minority stress theory provides a framework for understanding the mental health disparities among LGBTQþ populations. However, research has yet to examine the unique minority stress experiences among nonbinary people. This qualitative study conducted by an all nonbinary team of researchers aimed to comprehensively identify the minority stress experiences of nonbinary people. Data were collected from five focus groups and six individual interviews with a diverse sample of nonbinary adults living in geographic areas across the United States (N = 29). Thematic analysis was applied with a deductive approach using the gender minority stress model (Testa et al., 2015) as a framework for identifying themes. Similar to the gender minority stress model, which focused on binary trans populations, nonbinary participants in this study reported experiencing discrimination, rejection, harassment/violence, misgendering, internalized stigma, anticipated minority stress, and concealment, but in unique ways. Newly identified minority stressors were binary normativity, interpersonal invalidation, burdening, gender dysphoria, and mental/emotional labor. Results advance minority stress theory as it applies to nonbinary populations and provide important implications for clinical interventions, policy, and future research. Public Significance StatementResults from this qualitative study showed that nonbinary people have unique experiences of stress compared with other trans populations due to structures, systems, and cultures being organized by the gender binary. As a result, nonbinary people experience invalidation and misgendering on a daily basis and expend undue mental and emotional labor explaining their identity to others.

Despite the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Pursue (DADT) and the update to the Transgender Policy, there remain concerns about the persistence of military sexual trauma (MST) and sexual orientation discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) service members. A sample of 253 participants (89 women, 164 men) completed an Internet-based survey that assessed the prevalence of sexual orientation discrimination (e.g., offensive speech, physical or discriminatory behaviors) and MST (e.g., sexual harassment and sexual assault). The survey was conducted between April 2012 and October 2013. Women and men reported similar levels of sexual orientation discrimination in the military. Participants reported experiencing more threats and intimation, vandalism, and physical assault outside of the military than inside the military (p < 0.05). Although the prevalence of MST (both sexual harassment and sexual assault) in the military was high among both genders, women were more likely to report experiences of sexual harassment compared to men (p < 0.05). Our findings demonstrate the prevalence of MST and sexual orientation discrimination among LGBT service members in the military and point to the need for strong accountability and oversight to protect sexual minority persons while they are serving their country.

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