ABSTRACT

Examining the emergence of new sexual and gender identities in the context of an ever-changing digital landscape, Emergent Identities considers how traditional, binary understandings of sexuality and gender are being challenged and overridden by a taxonomy of non-binary, fluid classifications and descriptors.

In this comprehensive account of the ongoing shift in our understandings of gender and sexuality, Cover explores how and why traditional masculine/feminine and hetero/homo dichotomies are quickly being replaced with identity labels such as heteroflexible, bigender, non-binary, asexual, sapiosexual, demisexual, ciswoman and transcurious. Drawing on real-world data, Cover considers how new ways of perceiving relationships, attraction and desire are contesting authorised, institutional knowledge on gender and sexuality. The book explores the role that digital communication practices have played in these developments and considers the implications of these new approaches for identity, individuality, creativity, media, healthcare and social belonging.

A timely response to recent developments in the field of gender identity, this will be a fascinating read for students of Psychology, Gender Studies, Media and Cultural Studies, and related areas as well as professionals in this field.

chapter 1|13 pages

Introduction

New post-binary sexualities and genders for a digital era

chapter 2|36 pages

New identity labels

Towards a new sexual and gender taxonomy

chapter 3|13 pages

Expanding the range

Grids, matrices and the role of gender and relationships

chapter 4|34 pages

Identity citizenship

Authenticity, intersectionality and a new populism

chapter 5|34 pages

Queer choice

Sexuality and the emerging discourses of choosing and changing

chapter 6|21 pages

New heterosexualities

Digital media and an adaptable heteromasculinity

chapter 7|8 pages

Implications

What can emergent identities do?