Cyberbullying is repeated, intentional harm inflicted through digital platforms, including social media, messaging apps, and online forums. Most researchers focus on cyberbullying in adolescence, but it continues into adulthood. Young adults (ages 18–25) undergo major life changes and use social media frequently, which increases their risk of experiencing cyberbullying. LGBTQ+ individuals, especially transgender and non-binary people, face higher rates of online harassment. Cyberbullying can lead to severe mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and social isolation. While existing research focuses on cyberbullying among LGBTQ+ individuals as a broad group, few studies examine its specific impact on transgender and non-binary people. This study employs a mixed-methods approach to investigate cyberbullying in transgender and/or non-binary emerging adults. A survey of transgender and/or non-binary participants aged 18–25 will be conducted using a modified Cyberbullying Victimization Scale to measure three types of victimization: Verbal/Written, Visual/Sexual, Social Exclusion/In-Person Bullying. Participants will report experiences in public online spaces and private online spaces. The study will collect demographic data such as gender identity, racial or ethnic background, level of outness, and social media usage to examine correlations between these factors and cyberbullying experiences. By integrating statistical trends and personal narratives, this research will provide a deeper understanding of cyberbullying in transgender and non-binary communities. The findings will inform social media policies, platform safety measures, and mental health support efforts for LGBTQ+ individuals navigating online harassment.

Discrimination is a long-studied aspect of the minority social experience. For minoritized individuals, it influences mental and physical health, access to resources, economic opportunities, and the internal process of creating and understanding identity. Government anti-discrimination laws provide protections and pathways for minorities to seek justice when they face discrimination. However, current literature critiques the effectiveness of anti-discrimination laws because the burden to prosecute is on the marginalized person, who is more likely to face barriers in doing so. Since anti-discrimination laws are not fully protective, minoritized individuals turn to their community for support. The availability of a supportive community is a vital part of collectively fighting discrimination and providing marginalized groups with resources. This study addresses the influence anti-discrimination laws have on transgender and nonbinary (TNB) individuals in their community engagement. I will compare the impact of anti-discrimination laws in Washington and Idaho on TNB adults’ engagement in their community, measuring the type, frequency, and knowledge of local community events. I will conduct a survey of TNB adults in Washington and Idaho asking about knowledge of state and local anti-discrimination laws. I will combine this with data from the Movement Advancement Project which provides state-by-state anti-discrimination law documentation. I predict that the influence of anti-discrimination laws on varying types of TNB community involvement will depend on the state context. In Washington, with well-rounded protections, there will be a decrease in political advocacy and an increase in community-focused activities. In contrast, in Idaho, with limited protections, I predict an increase in political advocacy and a decrease in community-focused activities. Understanding the influence of anti-discrimination laws on community engagement and how TNB individuals seek support will illuminate potential flaws in anti-discrimination policy, improve policy, and insight into how to better support TNB individuals broadly.

Even among the most progressive liberation groups, hierarchies persist. Since transgender identities were long seen as the "more sexually deviant" margin of gay collective identity, sociological transgender studies are relatively new compared to research on gay identities and cultures which had already reached maturity. This results in a disparity in cultural recognition, public image, and scholarly knowledge between LGB and TQ+ communities. Additionally, research on sexualities and gender identities typically runs parallel in past scholarly work, instead of showing the intersections of sexuality and transness. While there's a significant discourse around trans lesbian women in lesbian communities, trans gay men among gay communities remain neglected. The invisibility experienced by gay trans men could offer us a new perspective on understanding the more subtle, underlying tension within queer communities. Trans gay men's experiences of going through gender transition significantly influence how well they can fit into gay spaces, which are primarily populated by cis gay men. My project focuses on the experiences of trans men engaging in predominantly cis gay men's spaces, such as gay bars and social clubs. The study specifically asks: How does the transition status of trans men who identify as same gender loving affect their inclusion among gay spaces and communities? To address this question, I employ a qualitative methodology using in-depth interviews of 7 participants who are adult same gender loving trans men, out for more than 1 year, and have experience engaging in gay communities and spaces. The results indicate that although blatant transphobia is rare in most gay spaces, it's common for cis gay men to draw an invisible line between trans men and themselves. Alienation and microaggression from cis gay men toward trans men happen often in both public spaces and interpersonal romantic relationships.