Chapter 12: Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression: How Can We Flourish?

VanderWeele (2017) addressed the concept of human flourishing through the idea of six domains: happiness and life satisfaction, mental and physical health, meaning and purpose, character and virtue, close social relationships, and financial and material stability. This chapter explores the historical constructs of gender and sexual orientation in higher education and the research associated with flourishing and its related domains tied to these same constructs of gender and sexual orientation. Sexual orientation “is often referred to as whom we are sexually attracted” to (Feeney et al., 2019, p. 85). Gender follows a social construct that includes labels for normative behavior and can be further delineated in gender expression and gender identity. Gender expression can be seen through clothing or behavior, which differs from gender identity, being self determined through personal understanding of self (Feeney et al., 2019; Mikhalevich & Powell, 2017). It should be noted that while sexual orientation can be tied to gender identity, the aspects of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as part of a person’s identity are unique and distinct. Gender identity and/or gender expression can relate to sexual orientation but both sexual orientation and gender exist on a continuum, and one does not necessarily depend on the other (Patton et al., 2010). According to Smith and Smith (2016) a person’s emotions in relation to their gender are directly connected to gendered difference or having a sense of being othered, excluded or marginalized. Social norms that are connected to acceptance through the lens of gender can either support or dismantle the ability a person has to flourish in the six domains defined by VanderWeele (2017). The concept of self is “multidimensional and complex with layered structures” (Smith & Smith, 2016, p. 63) that reflects a multifaceted reality of one’s social interactions (Cooley, 1983). Research reflecting the experiences of those who identify in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Plus (LGBT+) population indicate that they experience challenges that are counterintuitive to flourishing around their sexual orientation and or gender (inclusive of identity and expression) (McGill & Joslin, 2021). Studies around gender identity provide evidence that there is an inherent degradation to the flourishing of individuals based on their gender identity outside of dominant identity success (Wendle-Barnes, 2012). This chapter explores ideas of flourishing around sexual orientation and gender identity and expression with consideration given to homophobia, heteronormativity and exclusion around gender identity and gender expression.