Summary
The poster focuses on preliminary findings from a strengths based study examining individuals experiences of support from family related to their non-binary identity. As relationships with family of origin are an important source of support, a full understanding of the experiences of non-binary individuals is warranted. Participants were asked a series of open-ended questions designed to encapsulate the lived experience of non-binary individuals yet remain broad enough to allow the participants to actively construct their own narrative. Findings suggest that while participants reported implicit and explicit gendered messages growing up, they experienced feelings of support when family used their correct names and pronouns, which was not predicated on family fully understanding terminology associated with non-binary identity. The implications of this study will provide a best practices framework for clinicians and family educators to improve systemic family functioning after disclosure of nonbinary identity.

Objectives

• To demonstrate the importance of parental support for non-binary identities.
• To understand the lived experience of parental support of non-binary identities.
• To evaluate best practices of familial support based on non-binary adults lived experiences.

Subject Codes: cisnormativity, gender identity, gender
Population Codes: non-binary, gender expansive, expressive, fluid, bigender/intergender
Method and Approach Codes: phenomenology, qualitative methodology, strength-based

Summary
Deeper study of genderfluidity has the potential to broaden our understanding of queer genders within family systems; however, genderfluidity has generally been erased in social science research. The present study reviews extant social science research to collate and critically analyze how the social science literature is already discussing genderfluidity in transgender communities, and to suggest paths for researching genderfluidity in future research. A comprehensive search of several databases revealed 16 articles about genderfluidity. Results found high variability in how researchers defined genderfluidity, with some of these definitions contrasting with how genderfluid participants described their identities. Additionally, none of the reviewed studies specifically sought to answer questions about genderfluidity, but instead discussed genderfluidity incidentally, as a component of trans or nonbinary genders more generally. Despite the limited focus on genderfluid people in existing literature, several studies described experiences unique to genderfluid people as compared to other transgender people, warranting further research.

Objectives

• clarify what we know about genderfluidity based on how trans people in extant empirical research describe their own genderfluidity
• critically question the research objectives, theoretical lens, methods, and analysis of this extant research to identify gaps in our understanding
• make suggestions for how to conduct future research that purposefully engages with genderfluidity as an important aspect of gender embodiment for some people

Subject Codes: cisnormativity, gender identity, cultural competence
Population Codes: transgender, trans*, ,
Method and Approach Codes: systematic literature review, social justice,

Summary
COVID-19 has presented significant obstacles for families; this may be particularly true for families who were vulnerable to challenges prior to the pandemic, such as families that do not adhere to traditional family structures or families with parents who hold marginalized identities, such as trans and nonbinary parents (TNBP). The current descriptive and exploratory study examined 11 divorced or separated TNBP’s experiences of navigating co-parenting and their well-being during the COVID-19. Specific attention was given to trans parents’ experiences of co-parenting with their ex-partner, theirs and their children’s mental health, and overall family functioning. Preliminary findings suggest that a majority of trans parents reported a strained relationship with their ex prior to the pandemic and in some cases, their relationship deteriorated further during COVID-19, thus exacerbating pre-existing tensions, mental health concerns, and stress between each other and within their families. Findings have implications for family and legal professionals.

Objectives

• Attendees will learn about the specific challenges that divorced or separated transgender and nonbinary parents face during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Attendees will learn about the role of gender minority stress among a sample of transgender and nonbinary divorced parents and the impact of various stressors on mental health and navigating co-parenting during COVID-19.
• Attendees will learn about the importance of supporting families whose preexisting vulnerabilities to family stress or mental health concerns prior to the pandemic have been intensified by COVID-19.

Subject Codes: COVID-19, gender identity, family functioning
Population Codes: transgender, trans*, non-binary, divorced
Method and Approach Codes: thematic analysis, qualitative methodology,

Summary
Transgender, gender expansive, and gender non-conforming (TGNC) populations are historically understudied and underserved. They experience increased risk for mental health issues, while simultaneously encountering discrimination and other barriers to appropriate mental healthcare. However, little research exists that explores what these barriers are and how TGNC populations experience navigating mental health treatment. The current study addresses this gap by developing a clear picture of the mental healthcare experiences of gender diverse people, the barriers they face to obtaining mental healthcare, and what factors would improve their healthcare experiences. Best practices for clinical work, training and supervision to prepare clinicians to better serve this population are discussed.

Objectives

• To understand some of the barriers gender diverse people experience when trying to access mental healthcare services.
• To analyze the role of stigma in the mental health experience of gender diverse people.
• To explore the ways in which clinical training and practice can be enhanced to improve both quality and access to mental health services for gender diverse populations.

Subject Codes: gender identity, inequalities, mental health
Population Codes: gender expansive, expressive, fluid, transgender inclusive, intersex
Method and Approach Codes: quantitative methodology, social justice, needs assessment

Summary
This posters outline the research and clinical needs of trans and nonbinary youth and their family systems. Presenters will demonstrate a systemic conversation between researchers, family therapists, youth workers, advocates, and families of trans and nonbinary youth. Presenters will address best practices with trans and nonbinary youth and families, and reflections from work in the field. The audience will be invited to participate in a question and response portion, and to engage in the development of a clinician and/or researcher action statement.

Objectives

• To increase knowledge about gender identity and concerns for transgender and gender creative youth and their families.
• To demonstrate understanding of transgender and gender creative youth and their families through Walsh’s Family Resilience Framework.
• To create action items for family therapists and family science researchers that will help them to address the health and safety of transgender and gender creative youth and their families.

Subject Codes: gender identity, parenting, cultural competence
Population Codes: transgender, trans*, inclusive of minor children, intergenerational
Method and Approach Codes: family therapy, resilience, best practices

Summary
Trans women and gender nonbinary (TWNB) people report negative healthcare experiences. Although there is some knowledge regarding gender transition-related care, other health needs should be addressed, including general healthcare and breast/chest health screening (e.g., mammography). Providers recommend regular mammography screening to prevent cancer among TWNB people. However, there is limited research on providing responsive care to TWNB people. This systematic literature review seeks to understand the state of the literature on general healthcare and breast/chest health screening experiences for TWNB people. Findings indicate limited literature on breast/chest healthcare experiences specifically. Extant literature centers the experiences of white, adult clients where trans women’s or gender nonbinary people’s needs are not distinct from other gender minority groups. Healthcare provider samples are predominately white and cisgender. Current research should take an intersectional approach to TWNB-specific general and breast/chest healthcare to guide best practice recommendations for healthcare providers.

Objectives

• Identify patterns in the current body of literature on trans women's and gender non-binary people's healthcare experiences.
• Evaluate current literature on trans women's and gender non-binary people's healthcare experiences using an intersectional perspective to guide best practice recommendations.
• Develop ways to conduct intersectional research to documenttrans women's and gender non-binary people's healthcare experiences and needs.

Subject Codes: health care, cisnormativity, physical health
Population Codes: transgender female, non-binary, transgender, trans*
Method and Approach Codes: systematic literature review, intersectionality, best practices

Summary
Gender inclusive terminology is important to promote non-gender biased communication. Textbooks and college courses address the issue as do gender neutral referents for individuals and professional identities in professional settings. Professional associations have called for gender inclusive language. An identified concern arises within conversations regarding women’s health. Gender inclusivity allows validation of gender identities yet risks reducing the role of women in healthcare practices. Following decades of effort to recognize and center women in their own health-related conversations, gender inclusive terms create a conflict with maintaining a female identity centered in women’s healthcare. Symbolic Interactionism provides a theoretical foundation for role of language and meaning-making to under-gird discussions of identities, roles, interactions, and social contexts. Presenters will highlight specific identified areas of conflicts as part of the discussion. Presenters and attendees will seek solutions that contribute to understanding the two divergent yet related needs and advance each equitably.

Objectives

• To demonstrate the tension between use of gender inclusive language and female centered healthcare practices.
• To identify solutions able to resolve the conflicting needs of gender inclusive language and female centered healthcare practices.
• To identify methods in which an equitable resolution of the conflicting interests between gender inclusive language and female centered healthcare practices.

Subject Codes: communication, gender, inclusion
Population Codes: Family Scientists, educators, community or institution
Method and Approach Codes: scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL), social construction, empowerment