Restroom Unrest: the Dialogical Conflicts Surrounding Transgender Men's Gendered Restroom-Relevant Needs

Date of Award

5-1-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology

First Advisor

Mira Alexis P. Ofreneo, PhD

Abstract

Public restrooms serve a basic physiological need and can therefore be expected to be universally accessible. For transgender men, however, access to the ostensibly universal space of the gendered restroom presents unique challenges. Using a multi-case study approach, this study explores the internal dialogue of three Filipino self-identifying transgender men and applies Nir’s (2012, 2016) Negotiational Self Method (NSM) as informed by Herman et al.’s (1992) Dialogical Self Theory (DST) to resolve inner conflicts that ensue when their restroom-relevant psychological needs cannot be satisfied simultaneously. The analysis reveals the following: First, the central conflict can be framed as the voices needing safety conflicting with the voices needing gender congruence and authenticity. Second, to facilitate self-negotiations, the conflict-relevant voices can be mapped and repositioned primarily according to their underlying needs. Third, and lastly, the inner conflict can be resolved when the conflict-relevant voices successfully negotiate which voice will gain a temporary position of influence based on which psychological need affords the most relief at the moment. The study’s findings provide additional scholarship on the restroom-relevant psychological needs of transgender men and the utility and value of internal dialogue and self-negotiation processes in managing inner conflicts. Broader implications of the study’s findings and recommendations for further research are then discussed. Keywords: Transgender men, restrooms, inner conflicts, safety, gender congruence, authenticity, Dialogical Self Theory (DST), Negotiational Self Method (NSM)

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