Being nonbinary in binary worlds: the gender performative, emotional and intersubjective lives of nonbinary people on the island of Ireland

This thesis explores queering a dominant binary gender paradigm and societal conditions that invalidate and oppress NonBinary gender identities. Whilst the anthropological literature explores gender diversity in numerous cultures, there is a lack of current knowledge regarding lived experiences of NonBinary people on the island of Ireland. Through interviewee narratives and diary exercises, this thesis examines the NonBinary queering of binary language and embodiment. Interview analyses consider the stresses of NonBinary performativity as they relate to disclosure, intersectionality and symbolic and structural violence. Additionally, the thesis analyses gender euphoric experiences and involvement in collective exercises, including creative map focus groups, to demonstrate how NonBinary people engage with personal transformation and transformative justice, including pleasure activism, on interpersonal and societal levels. Thesis is embargoed until 31 July 2031.