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Uncomfortable in my own skin – emerging, early-stage identity-related information needs of transgender people

Uncomfortable in my own skin – emerging, early-stage identity-related information needs of... This study aims to increase the understanding of the early-stage identity-related information needs of transgender people.Design/methodology/approachThis study draws on social constructivism, queer theory and information practice research. In accordance with the queer phenomenological approach which emphasises lived experiences, data was collected by interviewing 25 individuals who identified as transgender. The data was analysed with a focus on how early-stage information needs are formed into conscious information needs.FindingsThe formation of early-stage information needs were conceptualised as a chain including a trigger for information seeking, finding the right words and understanding the experience. Especially the bodily changes starting at puberty were strong causes of discomfort causing friction between the subjects' own gendered body and their gender experience, even leading to gender dysphoria. Finding words to describe the experience played an important role in the process of identity formation. In many cases this was difficult because of the lack of accurate and relevant information.Social implicationsProviding information especially of varying transgender experiences is vital for individuals trying to understand and verbalise their gender identity.Originality/valueThis study provides an understanding of the early-stage information needs described by transgender people and the process of building identities through disorientation. This study suggests that early-stage information needs are a valid concept to help understand how embodied experiences and the friction between the lived experience and the social world can lead to information seeking. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Documentation Emerald Publishing

Uncomfortable in my own skin – emerging, early-stage identity-related information needs of transgender people

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References (81)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
© Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
0022-0418
DOI
10.1108/jd-09-2019-0193
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

This study aims to increase the understanding of the early-stage identity-related information needs of transgender people.Design/methodology/approachThis study draws on social constructivism, queer theory and information practice research. In accordance with the queer phenomenological approach which emphasises lived experiences, data was collected by interviewing 25 individuals who identified as transgender. The data was analysed with a focus on how early-stage information needs are formed into conscious information needs.FindingsThe formation of early-stage information needs were conceptualised as a chain including a trigger for information seeking, finding the right words and understanding the experience. Especially the bodily changes starting at puberty were strong causes of discomfort causing friction between the subjects' own gendered body and their gender experience, even leading to gender dysphoria. Finding words to describe the experience played an important role in the process of identity formation. In many cases this was difficult because of the lack of accurate and relevant information.Social implicationsProviding information especially of varying transgender experiences is vital for individuals trying to understand and verbalise their gender identity.Originality/valueThis study provides an understanding of the early-stage information needs described by transgender people and the process of building identities through disorientation. This study suggests that early-stage information needs are a valid concept to help understand how embodied experiences and the friction between the lived experience and the social world can lead to information seeking.

Journal

Journal of DocumentationEmerald Publishing

Published: Apr 21, 2020

Keywords: Gender; Minorities; Identity; Embodiment

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