'My safety depends on everyone else feeling safe and good': emotion work among transgender and gender diverse Texans.

Emotion work is a regulatory method used to change the degree or quality of one's own or another's emotions. Among sexual minority people, emotion work is a regulatory method utilised to maximise identity expression while maintaining harmony in interpersonal connections. However, little is known about the utilisation of emotion work among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people. We sought to address this gap by qualitatively exploring emotion work among members of this population. We conducted semi-structured focus groups and interviews with 11 TGD adults. Eligibility criteria included (1) English speaking, (2) at least 18 years old, (3) currently living in Texas, and (4) identifying as TGD. Interviews explored identity-related experiences of discrimination and affirmation in different social environments, and emotional, physiological and behavioural responses. Interview transcripts were analysed by four researchers using thematic analysis. Four superordinate themes were developed: 1) feeling rules, 2) intrapersonal processes, 3) identity management strategies, and 4) psychophysiological strain. We found transgender and gender diverse participants feel responsible for emotion work to maintain comfort in social interactions often at the expense of authentic identity expression and psychosocial wellbeing. Findings are interpreted using the existing literature on identity management and emotion regulation. Implications for clinical practice are also provided.

"It's the Environment, Not Me": Experiences shared by transgender and gender diverse adults living in Texas.

Transgender and gender diverse people (TGD) experience elevated rates of behavioral health problems, including depression, anxiety, substance misuse, and suicidality. Minority stressors (e.g., discrimination and victimization) contribute to these poor health outcomes. A salient form of discrimination is the use of gender nonaffirming language, such as using incorrect pronouns or names, yet less is known about other environmental stimuli that may be reined as affirming or nonaffirming. A recent study uncovered the impact symbols (e.g., flags, stickers) may have on invoking positive or negative feelings among TGD youth in the Midwest. Our study further investigates this phenomenon with TGD adults in Texas. During Summer 2021, 3 researchers conducted audio-recorded semistructured focus groups and interviews with 11 participants who identified as transgender, gender nonconforming, or nonbinary. Interview topics included gender-affirming and nonaffirming language, positive and negative experiences, nonsupportive and supportive symbolism, and coping mechanisms. In this manuscript, we present findings regarding symbolism. Within our two primary themes, supportive and nonsupportive symbolism, subthemes emerged. Supportive symbolism includes flags and signage, written and oral language and communication, and representation of diversity. Nonsupportive symbolism includes extreme patriotism and religious symbols and highly gendered settings. Further, Texas-specific culture and a meter of safety were identified as being related to interacting with and observing an array of symbols. Symbolism can have a profound impact on someone's identity development, expression, emotions, coping mechanisms, and access to and engagement with social environments, exemplifying the importance of understanding geographic and cultural-specific mechanisms within environments TGD people occupy.