Beyond the binary of the gender game: exploring experiences of genderqueer+ youth in the Czech Republic

Thesis

This qualitative research project seeks to explore the experiences of Czech genderqueer+ youth. Noting the challenges and marginalisation faced by genderqueer+ youth and the paucity of Czech queer research regarding genderqueerness, this research aims to empower genderqueer+ communities by centring their identities, experiences, and voices. In embracing an emancipatory research framework, the research was conceptualised in collaboration with the LGBTQIA+ youth community group Plusko+ and consisted of two focus group discussions held in queer safe spaces.

In the focus groups, the phenomenon and framework of the gender game was collectively constructed, representing the pressures of a gender binary overcategorisation as experienced by genderqueer+ youth and the multidimensional forms of oppression, ostracisation, and invisibilisation of genderqueer+ experiences within the gender game. In spite of the self-perpetuating hegemonic nature of the gender game, possibilities of genderqueer+ resistance and empowerment are identified – the subversive ability to imagine a post-gender game world, personal ways of changing the rules of the gender game to make them work for you and lastly, the transformative potentialities of safe spaces in dis-rupting the oppressive nature of the gender game.

This research reiterates the importance of centring genderqueer+ perspectives and platforming their voices and identities. Lastly, the role of research as a part of broader collective efforts to empower genderqueer+ communities is emphasized, and the potentialities of successive research and synergetic efforts united in the aims of genderqueer+ empowerment are outlined.

Authors: Zenker, R-J

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-aoyyzabm2
• Type of award: MSc taught course
• Level of award: Masters
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: RDM2023; queer methodology; RDM; non-binary; LGBTQ+; Czech; transgender; LGBT+; youth; qualitative; genderqueer; emergent research design; emancipatory research design; queer; focus groups
• Subjects: Gender; Education; Qualitative research