ResponseId,Q35,Q36,Q37,Q37_5_TEXT,Q40,Q41,Q43,Q43_8_TEXT,Q45,Q46,Q7,Q47,Q48,Q8,Q8_4_TEXT,Q9,1_Q1,1_Q49,1_Q50,1_Q2,1_Q2_4_TEXT,1_Q3,2_Q1,2_Q49,2_Q50,2_Q2,2_Q2_4_TEXT,2_Q3,3_Q1,3_Q49,3_Q50,3_Q2,3_Q2_4_TEXT,3_Q3,4_Q1,4_Q49,4_Q50,4_Q2,4_Q2_4_TEXT,4_Q3
Response ID,Gender Identity,Age,Education status,Education status - other,Ethnicity,Disabled,Religion,Religion - Other,Pronouns, Main country of residence,Microaffirmation 1,What was affirming about this experience?,What happened next (if anything)?,Where did this microaffirmation occur? - Selected Choice,Where did this microaffirmation occur? - Other - Text,Who/what delivered this microaffirmation?,Microaffirmation 2,What was affirming about this experience?,What happened next (if anything)?,Where did this microaffirmation occur? - Selected Choice,Where did this microaffirmation occur? - Other - Text,Who/what delivered this microaffirmation?,Microaffirmation 3,What was affirming about this experience?,What happened next (if anything)?,Where did this microaffirmation occur? - Selected Choice,Where did this microaffirmation occur? - Other - Text,Who/what delivered this microaffirmation?,Microaffirmation 4,What was affirming about this experience?,What happened next (if anything)?,Where did this microaffirmation occur? - Selected Choice,Where did this microaffirmation occur? - Other - Text,Who/what delivered this microaffirmation?,Microaffirmation 5,What was affirming about this experience?,What happened next (if anything)?,Where did this microaffirmation occur? - Selected Choice,Where did this microaffirmation occur? - Other - Text,Who/what delivered this microaffirmation?
R_2f2ANrffu6yD0sH,Non-binary,23,Currently attending university,,White,No,No religion,,they/them,Poland,"I remember the first time I shared my pronouns with a friend. Without hesitation, they started using them correctly in every conversation, even when I wasn’t around. One time, someone else misgendered me, and my friend gently corrected them without making a big deal out of it.","It felt incredibly affirming because they not only respected my pronouns but also normalized them in a way that didn’t make me feel othered or singled out. Their quiet, consistent support reminded me that they truly saw me for who I am.","Their support gave me the confidence to share my pronouns with more people and to correct others myself when needed. It also strengthened our friendship, as I knew I could trust them to have my back in affirming my identity.",School,,Friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_38f1FccJXETBQKl,Non binary,25,Other (please describe below),In the process of acquiring my bachelors degree,Prefer not to say,No,Any other religion (please state below),"No religion, but raised Catholic",They/them,México,"During one therapy session, I told my therapist I was non binary, and she used neutral pronouns when adressing me or talking about me, even when it is kind of difficult in Spanish to neutralize everything. ",I felt respected and like someone paid attention to something that is important to me. ,"Nothing, but I felt happy",Other,Therapy via Zoom,My therapist,"One time on the subway, a little girl asked her mom if I was a boy or a girl, to which her mother was doubtful about what to reply","It was uncomfortable and possibly dangerous, but at the same time it made me feel as if my appearance was so androgynous that people were questioning the gender binary by looking at me","Nothing, though I was afraid of experiencing violence as well",In the wider community,,The fact that the girl and her mother were doubtful about me,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2KNr7QKrPb2cwsy,femleaning non-binary,23,Currently attending university,,White,No,No religion,,she/her,Poland,I was refered to by both he/him and she/her pronouns.,I felt i was being perceived for who i am.,We continued to talk.,Home,,Friend,I was at school among the group consisting besides me only of girls and we were refered collectively by the teacher as girls.,I felt supported by my teacher.,I felt happy.,School,,Teacher,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_8Pc1hPPzNoP5o6s,non-binary,23,Currently attending university,,White,Prefer not to say,No religion,,they/them and it/its,Poland,"I was taking part in an art project and the professor managing it always made sure to use an inclusive word for describing the group. It's hard to translate to english, but in polish most nouns are gendered (like actor-actress). My professor used a longer, but more inclusive form (basically translated to 'artistic persons""), intead of using the more commonly used feminine and masculine forms.","I felt that it was important for my professor to include me in the language used, and alter the common speech pattern to fit all participants. I felt very seen. It was never treated as something big, just a quiet choice to use more inclusive terms.",The official posters and leaflets all included this term. :),Other,University,A professor,"I recently told my therapist that I'd like to use alternating pronouns (they/he) with her. Without prompting and while talking about a whole different subject, she confidently used them in single sentences (for example ""they told me he really struggled""; polish also has gendered verbs and she was talking directly to me, in second person, but it would be hard to translate).","I felt like my request wasn't anything big, which I was afraid of at first. She treated it like it was the most normal thing in the world. It made me feel that I'm not asking for too much when I want people to refer to me with multiple pronouns.",,Other,Therapy,My therapist,"At the start of the semester, one person from my class sat next to me to start some small talk and asked for my pronouns right after introducing himself. He did it because he saw my non-binary flag pin. The conversation moved on after I told him.",Most people are really awkward and confused about it and don't know whether they can ask. I really liked his direct approach.,,Other,University,An acquaintance,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2f6CICUDEdOHuXI,nonbinary ,25,Currently attending university,,White,Yes,No religion,,they/them,England,finding out one of my lecturers was nonbinary ,showing someone like me can get to a job and industry i’d love to work in,friend agreed,School,,email signature of lecturer ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_8KuIdbKm440Uarv,Non-binary,19,Currently attending university,,White,No,"Christian (including Church of England, Catholic, Protestant and all other Christian denominations)",,Any,Spain,"Being refered with pronouns different from the ones assigned at birth, seeing other people with similar experiences to mine, and having diverse gender expression for myself",The comfort of being flexible with gender,,Home,,Myself/other people using pronouns,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2GeoBSosnasvADr,Agender,22,Currently attending university,,White,Yes,No religion,,It/Its,Germany,One that I've experienced quite often is friends trying to explain my situation and use of neo-pronouns to their respective therapist/more conservative familiee,It feels nice knowing that they put an effort into making sure they can talk about me in a respectful way even when I'm not around and risk experiencing conflict (with e.g. family members) for that,"Sometimes people come around, sometimes they start hurling slurs and most of the time they're a bit confused but are nontheless trying",In the wider community,,Several Friends,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2MomGdiAmq4bhAV,non-binary,20,Currently attending university,,White,No,No religion,,she/her,Poland,Being invited to events/parties/hangouts/clubs etc. which usually would include (in majority) members of opposite AGAB than mine (being acknowledged as one of them).,Feeling included in a community even though on the daily i feel like i'm excluded and do not belong there.,,School,,School colleagues and close friends,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2f2TvoMda7KKTBZ,non-binary,25,Currently attending university,,White,Yes,"Christian (including Church of England, Catholic, Protestant and all other Christian denominations)",,They/Them ,England ,When I started to change my appearance in ways that aren't typical for my birth assigned sex a lot of people were completely unbothered by it. I started painting my nails every now and again and people asked nice questions like 'Where did you get that colour?' instead of 'Why are you painting your nails?',"The lack of prejudice and judgement. Transitioning to non-binary there were a lot of people that decided that they were entitled to a say on how I looked and how I acted. The lack of judgement and acceptance that this is who I am, and that there's nothing unusual or strange about how I want to behave was nice. ","Nothing major happened next, I simply settled into the less judgmental workspace.",In the wider community,,My colleagues. They noticed and just naturally went into conversation without making a big deal out of it.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_8jcJkXfHBabUQ5w,"Figuring it out still, but maybe non-binary or gender fluid.",18,Other (please describe below),In gap year,White,No,No religion,,Any pronouns ,United Kingdom,Seeing other people freely expressing their gender identity or sexuality in public.,"It made me feel less alone and more connected to people around me, something I often struggle with.",I felt happier.,In the wider community,,Strangers,During therapy I was treated with respect and told that my feelings and ideas were important and normal.,"It helped me gain self respect, something I previously lacked because of self-consciousness and feelings of worthlessness or unrealistic expectations of myself.",Helped me become more confident and comfortable being myself.,Other,Therapy sessions,My therapist/counsellor ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2fOXzNKBEKWxbgO,Third gender,25,Currently attending university,,Black/African/Caribbean,No,"Christian (including Church of England, Catholic, Protestant and all other Christian denominations)",,She/he,South Africa ,"I was in a team meeting where I shared an idea about improving our workflow. After I spoke, one of my colleagues said, “That’s a really insightful point, and it builds perfectly on what we’ve been discussing.” It wasn’t just the compliment—it was the way they acknowledged my contribution and tied it to the larger conversation, making me feel seen and valued. That simple affirmation encouraged me to share more ideas throughout the meeting and feel more confident in my role.",What was affirming about this experience was the way my colleague explicitly recognized my contribution and tied it to the team’s discussion. Their response showed they were genuinely listening and valued my input. It wasn’t just polite acknowledgment—it was meaningful validation that made me feel respected and included. It affirmed my role as an important part of the team and encouraged me to continue sharing my thoughts.,"After that moment, I felt more confident and engaged in the discussion. I shared a few more ideas during the meeting, and others began building on them. It felt like a collaborative exchange where my voice mattered. Later, another teammate referenced my initial idea in their follow-up email, which reinforced that what I shared had a lasting impact. It was a small but powerful moment that made me feel like I truly belonged in the group.",In the wider community,,"The microaffirmation was delivered by one of my colleagues during the meeting. They actively listened, acknowledged my contribution, and framed it in a way that connected my idea to the broader discussion. Their words and tone showed genuine appreciation, which made the affirmation feel sincere and impactful.","I was working on a challenging project and shared a draft with my supervisor for feedback. When we met to discuss it, they started by saying, “You’ve clearly put a lot of thought into this, and it shows. I really appreciate your attention to detail.” They then provided constructive feedback, but their initial acknowledgment of my effort made me feel seen and appreciated. It set a positive tone for the conversation and made me more open to their suggestions.","What was affirming about this experience was that my supervisor recognized the effort I had put into the project before offering feedback. Their acknowledgment showed that they valued the time and thought I had invested, which made me feel respected and motivated. It reassured me that my hard work was noticed and appreciated, creating a foundation of trust and positivity for the rest of the discussion.","After that, I felt more confident and open to receiving their feedback. The positive start encouraged me to ask questions and collaborate more effectively during our conversation. I also felt motivated to make the suggested improvements because I knew my effort was appreciated. Later, when I submitted the revised version, they followed up with another note of encouragement, which reinforced the sense that my contributions were valued.",Home,,"This microaffirmation was delivered by my supervisor during our feedback meeting. Their choice to start with genuine acknowledgment of my effort created a positive and supportive environment, which made the interaction more constructive and meaningful.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_22rdKAwf54Ce4zD,Non Binary,23,Not currently in education,,White,No,No religion,,they/Them,UK,"I was referred to with the pronouns they/them, from my appearance people just often use she/her which isn't correct so it is nice when people do it out of instinct or if they say the wrong pronouns apologise and use the right ones.","They saw me for who I truly was, not just my appearance, it made me feel accepted. ",I smiled.,In the wider community,,Friend,I was able to add my pronouns ono a social media platform. ,I was able to express myself and stop people from assuming I use she/her pronouns just because I am female presenting. ,I added them .,Other,Online,Social Media platform.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2OYzhO2A7iL8ohq,transgender non-binary,23,Currently attending university,,Black/African/Caribbean,No,No religion,,"They,them",South Africa,"One microaffirmation that stands out to me happened at work, during a team meeting. I had just shared an idea that I thought was a bit different from the usual suggestions. It's often nerve-wracking to present something new, especially when you worry about being overlooked or dismissed. But after I finished speaking, a colleague who is usually quiet and reserved said, ""That's actually a really interesting point. I hadn’t thought of that before."" Their words didn’t just acknowledge the idea—it showed that they genuinely listened and valued it.  What made it a microaffirmation, though, was the way they said it. There was a clear tone of respect, and they didn’t just add the comment for the sake of it—they went a step further by actually building on the idea later in the conversation. This made me feel seen and heard, even in a group of people with much more experience.  It was such a small thing, but in that moment, it made me feel more confident and included. It was an affirmation of my voice and perspective, and it helped me feel like my contributions mattered. I left the meeting feeling validated and motivated to share more openly in the future.   Even though it might not have seemed like a big deal to others, that brief moment of recognition had a lasting impact on me. It reminded me how powerful simple, affirming actions can be in making someone feel valued.","One microaffirmation that stands out to me happened at work, during a team meeting. I had just shared an idea that I thought was a bit different from the usual suggestions. It's often nerve-wracking to present something new, especially when you worry about being overlooked or dismissed. But after I finished speaking, a colleague who is usually quiet and reserved said, ""That's actually a really interesting point. I hadn’t thought of that before."" Their words didn’t just acknowledge the idea—it showed that they genuinely listened and valued it.  What made it a microaffirmation, though, was the way they said it. There was a clear tone of respect, and they didn’t just add the comment for the sake of it—they went a step further by actually building on the idea later in the conversation. This made me feel seen and heard, even in a group of people with much more experience.  It was such a small thing, but in that moment, it made me feel more confident and included. It was an affirmation of my voice and perspective, and it helped me feel like my contributions mattered. I left the meeting feeling validated and motivated to share more openly in the future.   Even though it might not have seemed like a big deal to others, that brief moment of recognition had a lasting impact on me. It reminded me how powerful simple, affirming actions can be in making someone feel valued.","After my colleague affirmed my idea, the conversation in the meeting took a positive turn. Another team member, who had been quiet up until that point, started to ask questions and share thoughts that expanded on my idea. This sparked a more dynamic discussion, and I noticed others engaging with it too. They seemed more open to considering different approaches, and there was a clear shift in the energy of the room—people were leaning in, nodding, and contributing in ways that felt collaborative.  What was particularly meaningful was that my colleague continued to build on my suggestion later in the meeting, incorporating it into the broader discussion. This showed that the acknowledgment wasn’t just surface-level—it was genuinely integrated into the group's thinking. I felt like my contribution had a ripple effect, encouraging others to share their thoughts more openly as well.  On a personal level, I walked out of the meeting feeling more confident and motivated to contribute again. That small moment of validation made me feel more empowered in future discussions, and it also inspired me to be more mindful of offering similar affirmations to others when they share their ideas. It reminded me of how small gestures can create a more inclusive, supportive environment for everyone.",In the wider community,,"The microaffirmation was delivered by a colleague of mine during the meeting. They were typically quiet and reserved, so their acknowledgment stood out even more. Their response to my idea was genuine and thoughtful, which made it feel especially affirming. The way they actively engaged with my point and then built on it later in the conversation demonstrated care and respect for my contribution, making it a powerful microaffirmation.","I remember another microaffirmation that happened during a group project at university. It was the final presentation, and we had spent weeks working on it. I was a little nervous because I was the one assigned to present the introduction, which was crucial to set the tone for the rest of the project. As I was speaking, I noticed a few of the other team members looking distracted—either checking their phones or looking down at their notes. It made me feel like maybe they weren’t really engaged or that I wasn’t doing a good job.  But then, about halfway through my presentation, one of my teammates, who had a much more outgoing personality, smiled and nodded at me. She made direct eye contact and said something like, “That’s a great point—really strong start!” in a way that was quiet enough not to interrupt but loud enough for me to hear. It was a small comment, but it felt so affirming. She didn't have to say anything—most people might have just kept quiet or continued without giving me any feedback—but her words gave me the reassurance I needed to keep going confidently.  After I finished, she was the first to jump in and continue with the next part of the presentation, and her enthusiasm helped set a positive tone for the rest of the team. It was a subtle but powerful moment that made me feel supported and capable, like my role mattered to the overall success of the project. Even though she didn’t make a big deal out of it, her quick comment made me feel recognized, and I could tell it helped me keep my momentum going.  Later, after the presentation, she mentioned to me, “You were great in that intro. You really got everyone on board from the start!” That little reminder stuck with me—it was another affirmation that I had done something well, and it made me more confident about presenting in future group projects.","What was affirming about this experience was the immediate, unsolicited support from my teammate. When she smiled, nodded, and verbally acknowledged my introduction, it communicated to me that she was paying attention and valued what I was saying. Her comment wasn’t just a generic compliment; it was a specific acknowledgment that I had made a strong start, which made me feel like my contribution mattered to the overall success of the presentation.  Her affirmation boosted my confidence in that moment, especially because I had been unsure whether the audience (the rest of the team) was truly engaged. The fact that she noticed and actively reinforced my contribution made me feel recognized and capable. It was a reminder that even small, simple gestures of encouragement can have a significant impact on someone’s sense of belonging and confidence.   Additionally, her enthusiasm throughout the rest of the presentation helped create a positive, collaborative energy that carried the entire team through the project. It felt like a supportive, inclusive act that reinforced the value of my presence and input in the team dynamic.","After my teammate affirmed my introduction, I felt much more confident and relaxed as I continued with the presentation. I was able to speak more clearly and maintain a steady flow, which made the whole experience feel more natural. Her positive reinforcement seemed to energize me, and I think it had the same effect on the rest of the team as well. The dynamic shifted from a bit of nervousness to a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.  Once my portion was done, she seamlessly took over the next section, but I noticed that everyone seemed more engaged and responsive throughout the rest of the presentation. We were able to work off each other’s energy, and the group felt more cohesive, like we were all in sync.   After the presentation, our professor praised the group for how well we worked together and how smoothly the presentation went. It felt especially validating because, in part, I could trace some of that success back to that simple but powerful moment of affirmation from my teammate. Later, she even thanked me for setting the tone and helping the presentation get off to such a strong start.   That experience also had a lasting effect on how I interacted with teammates in future projects. I became more intentional about offering encouragement and support, knowing how much those small moments of affirmation could make a difference in someone's confidence and overall contribution.",School,,team mate,"I had another experience with a microaffirmation that happened during a volunteer event I participated in. I was working alongside a group of people to help organize supplies for a community outreach program. It was a busy day, and everyone was hustling around, trying to get everything ready on time. At one point, I was sorting through boxes and came across some items that didn’t seem to belong to the event. I wasn’t sure if I should move them or set them aside, so I asked one of the lead organizers what to do.  Without hesitation, she gave me a really thoughtful and clear answer. She explained what to do with the items and then added, “I really appreciate you double-checking that—sometimes it’s easy to miss things like this. Thank you for being so thorough.” It was a simple comment, but it made me feel recognized for paying attention to the details and doing the job well.  What made this experience a microaffirmation was how her acknowledgment was not just about the task, but about my approach to it. It was affirming because she highlighted my care and thoroughness, which made me feel valued beyond just getting the job done. Her words made me feel like my efforts, no matter how small, were noticed and appreciated, and that I was contributing meaningfully to the team's success.  Afterward, I felt even more motivated to keep working hard, knowing that my attention to detail was noticed and appreciated. That little moment of affirmation gave me a boost and made me feel like an important part of the team.","What was affirming about this experience was the way the lead organizer acknowledged my attention to detail and thoroughness. Instead of just giving me a quick instruction or moving on, she took the time to recognize my effort in double-checking and making sure everything was in order. Her comment wasn’t just about the task itself, but about my approach and care in doing it well.   That recognition made me feel like my contributions, even if small or behind the scenes, were important and appreciated. It wasn't about being praised for something extraordinary; it was about being valued for my attentiveness and commitment to doing a good job. Her words reassured me that my actions mattered and were making a difference in the overall success of the event. It was affirming because it highlighted my role and showed that my effort to contribute thoughtfully was noticed and respected.","After the lead organizer affirmed my attention to detail, I felt a renewed sense of motivation and pride in the work I was doing. It encouraged me to keep paying close attention to everything, even the smaller tasks that might have seemed insignificant at the time. I continued sorting through the supplies and checking for any other overlooked items, feeling more confident that my efforts were helping the event run smoothly.  The positive reinforcement also made me more engaged in the work for the rest of the day. I felt like I was truly contributing to the team’s success, which made the whole experience more fulfilling. Later on, as the event came together and people started showing up, I could see how important each person's role was in making everything happen, and I felt good knowing that my attention to detail helped in that process.  The moment of affirmation also had a lasting impact beyond that day. I found myself more confident in future volunteer roles and in other tasks where attention to detail mattered. I became more conscious of recognizing and affirming others’ efforts in similar ways, realizing how small words of encouragement can make a big difference in motivating people to keep doing their best.",In the wider community,,Leader,"I had another microaffirmation recently during a casual conversation with a friend. We were catching up over coffee, and I was telling her about a new project I had started at work. I was feeling a bit unsure about it because it was a big shift from what I’d been doing, and I wasn’t sure how well I was adapting. As I spoke, I started to downplay my progress, saying things like, “I’m not sure if I’m doing it right,” or “I still have a lot to learn.”  Without skipping a beat, my friend smiled and said, “Honestly, I think it’s amazing that you’re even taking on something so different. It shows how much you’re growing and pushing yourself.” It wasn’t the typical “don’t worry, you’re fine” response I expected. Instead, she acknowledged the effort I was putting in and the courage it took to try something new.  What was affirming about this moment was that it wasn’t just about reassuring me; it was about recognizing the value of what I was doing, even if it wasn’t perfect. Her words reminded me that growth isn’t always about immediate success but about the willingness to step outside of your comfort zone. It felt so validating because she saw my effort and progress in a way that I hadn’t been able to fully appreciate myself.  After that conversation, I felt a renewed sense of confidence in my project. I was reminded that growth and learning were part of the process, and her affirmation made me feel like I was on the right track, even if things weren’t perfect yet.","What was affirming about this experience was the way my friend recognized not just the progress I had made, but the effort and growth I was showing by taking on something new and challenging. She didn’t focus on the specifics of whether I was doing everything perfectly, but instead highlighted the courage and initiative it took to step out of my comfort zone. This made me feel validated for the risks I was taking and the personal growth I was experiencing.  Her affirmation was powerful because it shifted my perspective—she helped me see that it wasn’t about being flawless right away, but about the willingness to try and learn. Her words communicated that she valued the process of growth, not just the end result, which made me feel understood and appreciated for where I was in my journey.","After my friend’s affirmation, I felt a surge of confidence and clarity about my project. I stopped doubting myself so much and started to embrace the learning curve as part of the experience. Her perspective helped me realize that it was okay to not have everything figured out yet, and that stepping into something new was, in itself, an achievement.  I went back to work on the project with a more positive mindset, tackling challenges with a sense of curiosity rather than self-doubt. Her words also stayed with me, and whenever I hit a difficult moment, I would remind myself that growth was part of the process and not something to fear.  Additionally, I started paying more attention to acknowledging others' efforts in the same way, reminding myself that sometimes the act of affirming someone’s effort and growth, not just their results, can make a huge difference in their motivation and confidence. Her microaffirmation didn’t just impact me in the moment—it inspired me to bring that kind of encouragement into my own interactions with others moving forward.",In the wider community,,my friend,"I had another microaffirmation experience during a team meeting at work. We were discussing ideas for a new project, and I had an idea that I wasn’t entirely sure would resonate with the team. It was a bit unconventional, and I could feel myself hesitating before speaking up. But when I finally shared it, one of my coworkers immediately said, “I love that idea! It’s a fresh perspective, and I think it could really work.”   What made it a microaffirmation was the way she responded. She didn’t just say “that’s good” or nod in agreement, but she truly highlighted the value of the idea by describing it as a ""fresh perspective."" Her enthusiasm was genuine, and the fact that she said it so quickly made me feel like my contribution was being heard and valued in real time.  Her comment not only boosted my confidence in that moment but also made me feel like my ideas were welcome in the team. It wasn’t just about the specific suggestion I made, but the way she communicated that my voice had meaning. The affirmation was subtle but powerful, and it made me more comfortable sharing ideas in the future.","What was affirming about this experience was the way my coworker immediately recognized and valued my idea. She didn’t just give a neutral response; she specifically described it as a ""fresh perspective,"" which made me feel like my contribution had real significance. Her enthusiasm and prompt recognition told me that my voice and ideas were important to the team.   It was affirming because, in a professional setting, it can sometimes be intimidating to speak up, especially when sharing something different or unconventional. Her genuine response reassured me that taking that risk was worthwhile and that my input was respected. It made me feel more confident and motivated to continue contributing in meetings, knowing that my ideas would be welcomed and valued.","After my coworker’s affirmation, I felt much more confident and willing to share more ideas throughout the rest of the meeting. I was able to speak up more freely, knowing that my contributions would be respected and valued. The positive feedback created an atmosphere where I felt comfortable taking more risks with my thoughts, and I noticed that others in the group seemed more engaged as well.   Later, in follow-up discussions about the project, my idea was actually incorporated into the plan. The team seemed excited about it, and I felt proud that I had shared it in the first place. That moment of affirmation not only encouraged me to contribute more, but it also reinforced the idea that a simple act of recognition can really empower someone to continue sharing and collaborating.",Other,work,coworker
R_23INAZsbQiC2QxP,"Transfeminine, genderfluid, non-binary",19,Other (please describe below),Training center in music production,White,No,No religion,,he/she/they (i don't mind any pronouns),France,"After I said to a friend (whom I'm out to) that I loved the way she dressed, she invited me to a clothing swap/sale she organized with her sister. Her sister and her didn't mind me (looking like a guy) trying out feminine clothing and were glad to know I would wear their old clothes in public further in my medical transition","The absence of judgement, the freedom of treating me like any other girl/woman who would like to buy clothes, the encouragement to wear clothing I like and feel comfortable if they help me affirm myself",Nothing,Other,At a friend's,A friend and her sister,"Other of my friends I am out to are interested in me talking about my experience with gender and transition, they are happy to celebrate with me important milestones of my journey (ex : 6 months or 1 year of HRT)","the interest, openness, and joy regarding trans experiences coming from cis people",We keep talking about it and celebrate milestones,School,,Friends I am out to and chat regularly,"Seeing/listening to many trans/non binary people in arts and politics (Arts : Sam Smith, Kim Petras, Lena Raine ; Politics : Zooey Zephyr)",Seeing people who are openly trans and non binary make art and get the success they deserve give me hope as a trans person who would like to work in similar domains,I keep listening to those people and support their acts in favor of the queer community,Other,Online,Trans/non binary celebrities and politicians,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2rVAGPBRhvEncuf,Non-binary,25,Not currently in education,,White,Yes,No religion,,they/them,England,"Although I am AFAB and this is obvious, I was given a role in a play of a typically male character. It was not encouraged or suggested that I play this character in a gendered way, so my character just existed on the gender spectrum as something in between.",I felt like I was not automatically assumed to be my birth gender and I felt safe that the people I was with were open to fluidity.,I got too sick to be in the actual play :(,Other,Amateur theatre group,The directors of the play,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2PiNKXTdXc78VgZ,non binary,24,Currently attending university,,White,No,No religion,,they/them,Poland,,"I was asked at the bar by a cis guy something like ""whats up bro!?"" and engaged as a non-woman i guess in a conversation with him.","Nothing happened, it was a weir mix of validation and reckognition I received spontainesly.",In the wider community,,stranger,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_7ToOcMffBdE0j6N,non-binary,24,Currently attending college/sixth form,,White,Yes,"Christian (including Church of England, Catholic, Protestant and all other Christian denominations)",,they/them,United States,"When I came out as non-binary to my mother while we were sitting in the parking lot outside of a store (waiting to receive our curbside-pickup groceries), she was surprised at first but was fully willing to discuss what exactly the term ""non-binary"" means and how I had come to relate to it. Because she was quite shocked when I came out to her as queer before that (a different day), the fact that she reacted significantly better than that time meant a lot to me.","My mother showed that she was trying to be more accepting of my LGBT+ identities. It made me feel even more sure that our mother-child relationship would persevere no matter what, and I feel that our bond strengthened.","After discussing the aforementioned topic, we continued on to other conversation topics as per usual, as she drove us back home.",In the wider community,,My mother delivered the microaffirmation.,"I have taken quite a few art classes with a particular teacher at the community college I am currently attending, and I have known him for several years. As I trust and am familiar with him, and was kind of yearning for more support outside of my immediate family, I came out as non-binary to him (at least a year ago) in his office after class, and asked if he could refer to me with they/them pronouns during class. He responded positively, and said that he can absolutely refer to me this way. He said that though he may forget to do so sometimes, he will try his best to remember. ","Coming out to someone as non-binary outside of my immediate family felt like a huge relief, and I felt extra supported.","I left his office after we finished our conversation and I thanked him for his understanding, and drove home,",School,,My art teacher,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2RVqQBnJ4nxkSTa,transgender ,24,Currently attending university,,Black/African/Caribbean,No,"Christian (including Church of England, Catholic, Protestant and all other Christian denominations)",,Them,South Africa,"So, the other day, I was in a meeting at work, and I shared an idea that I thought was kind of out of the box. It wasn’t anything groundbreaking, but it felt good to put it out there. Then, a colleague who I really respect—someone I’ve always looked up to—immediately acknowledged it. They said something like, ""That's a great perspective, and I think we could really build on that.""  It wasn’t just about the idea itself, but how they responded. They made sure to recognize that what I said mattered, and it felt like they genuinely valued my input. It was a small moment, but it made me feel seen and appreciated, like my voice was heard in a room where sometimes it feels like others dominate. It was a quiet kind of encouragement, but honestly, it made my whole day better. It was one of those microaffirmations that really boosted my confidence without a lot of fanfare.","What was affirming about this experience was that my idea was not only acknowledged but also appreciated in a way that made me feel valued. It wasn’t just a casual nod or a quick brush-off; my colleague gave me genuine recognition, highlighting that my input was worthy of consideration. It was affirming because, in that moment, I felt seen and respected for my thoughts, even though it was a small idea in a larger discussion. ","After my colleague acknowledged my idea, I noticed that the atmosphere in the meeting shifted a little. More people started to engage with what I had said, building on it and offering their own thoughts. It felt like the idea gained some momentum, and it wasn’t just my voice in isolation anymore—other people were seeing its value too.",Other,Work,The microaffirmation was delivered by my colleague,"One day during my internship at PRASA, I was working on a challenging project in the Rolling Stock department. I felt unsure about some of my decisions and was nervous about presenting my progress to the team. After the presentation, my supervisor came up to me and said, ""You did a great job explaining the technical details clearly. It's evident how much effort you've put into this.""  It was such a small, simple statement, but it made a big impact. It reassured me that my hard work was being noticed and appreciated, and it boosted my confidence for the next steps. That moment reminded me how powerful a few kind words can be in making someone feel valued","The affirming part of this experience was that my supervisor recognized and acknowledged the effort I had put into my work. It showed me that my contributions were valued and that I was capable of delivering quality results. This validation helped boost my confidence and motivated me to keep pushing forward, even in challenging tasks. It reinforced the idea that my skills and efforts were appreciated, making me feel seen and supported in my role.","After that affirming experience, I felt a surge of confidence and motivation. I decided to approach my work with even greater enthusiasm and attention to detail. I asked my supervisor for feedback on how I could improve further and sought out opportunities to take on more responsibilities within the project.",Other,work, delivered by my supervisor,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_27ILsg1op3zV7DA,non-binary,24,Not currently in education,,White,No,No religion,,they/them,UK,i was at a party and my friend introduced me to their friends using my new name and pronouns.,"the way it was casual and effortless on their part, and that everyone just accepted it without thinking twice.",,In the wider community,,friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_89sKUAsyct2DXTW,agender,23,Not currently in education,,White,Yes,No religion,,they/them,France,"most of my friends have accepted using my ""new name"" (different than birth name) right away after I told them, and barely needed reminders","it was nice to see they didn't even really struggle to make it natural, a habit, very quickly, and they never made any (negative) comment or anything else about it",N/A,In the wider community,,multiple friends (close friends mostly),,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_8DEJH4zJMB65JUR,nonbinary,25,Not currently in education,,White,Yes,No religion,,they/them,Poland,Everytime my collage proffesor refers to us students she uses inclusive language. Polish is a very gendered language so it requires a concious decision to do so. ,"feeling of acceptance, knowing the person is not discriminatory ",-,School,,collage professor,"I shared my gender identity (nonbinary) with my boyfriend's close friend, who at this point also became my friend. He was a bit curious about it and clearly didn't fully understand it at first but was also very respectful. I have a name that is clearly a girls name and cannot be mistaken for any other. Later, that friend startet calling me my name without the last letter. The letter that was making the name girly. It is also a name of a gem that sounds completly genderless. ","He not only took the time to understand my gender identity, but also unprompted and on his own took time to find a cute genderless nickname for me",-,Other,circle of friends,a friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_8wsjEYLxBHKU2nh,Nonbinary ,25,Not currently in education,,White,No,No religion,,She / they,United Kingdom,"My mum calls me her son sometimes to change up when she calls me ""daughter"", which I find really sweet. I know she's saying it in a jokey manner, but it still makes me smile.","I felt like my mum was trying to understand me, when often I can feel like she doesn't at all. It was really nice to see her try and attempt to reach me through her humour. ",We laughed together and it's become a little joke inside the house that she repeats sometimes. ,Home,,My mum ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_6eyIIagxGNpUH7t,transgender,24,Not currently in education,,White,No,No religion,,she/her,United States,"I went to the beauty salon and wanted a more feminine haircut. My mom protested against it, but my stylist stood up for me and told her that she was only interested in what I wanted.",It made me feel as though there were people who had my back and supported me.,I ended up getting a non-binary style haircut to compromise.,In the wider community,,Stylist,"I remember going to a restaurant with my brother and the waitress thought I was under 18 and asked if I wanted a kid's menu, even though I was 23.","Before transition, people never assumed I was a high schooler, or at the very least never mentioned it. It was affirming because it was early in my transition, but it made me feel better about HRT results (causing me to look younger due to estrogen). I have been mistaken for a high schooler several more times since this as well.","I simply stated that I wanted the adult menu, and that was that.",In the wider community,,Waitress,"While I was at the state fair, I had my gender confused for the first time. ","While ordinarily, this experience could be considered dysmorphic, this happened relatively early on in my transition. It also happened while I was boy-moding, so I wasn't really trying to be feminine. I had never been misgendered pre-transition, so it made me feel good about myself and gave me hope for the future.","Nothing, I simply bought water and moved on.",In the wider community,,drink vendor lady,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_8hSESG8wMdq6YWd,Genderfluid,21,Currently attending university,,White,Yes,No religion,,she/they,England,When I first discovered I was not cisgender and I was trying to convince myself that my feelings were valid and I was not confused about my identity.,"This was affirming because after discovering my identity, I felt a lot more comfortable and true to myself.",I found a community where I fit in as well as a great friend group with like/minded people like myself.,School,,Myself,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_8nilHED18FHJsUo,Non-binary,25,Currently attending university,,White,No,No religion,,They/Them,Poland,My profesors and lecturers at university use the name I have asked them to use and even asked me about my pronouns. In language classes where we have to use gendered words they allow me to use the plural ones since there are no genderless options. ,"My gender identity was recongized and acceptance was shown to me without any malice, I have not experiences any negative attitude towards me when I voiced my concerns and asked to refer to me by the name I have chosen","I am still being referred by the prefered name, my teachers treat me equally to others and try to include as much genderless words as possible in my mother language. ",Other,University ,Multiple teachers ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_8WYyvuy0Guu3JGT,Bigender,18,Not currently in education,,White,Yes,No religion,,It/Its,United Kingdom,"I went to a pride event, and there were many people using mobility aids. I always love to see other physically disabled queer people in public.","Seeing other disabled queer people makes me feel like I stick out less, that I'm more a part of the group.",,In the wider community,,"The passive existance of other physically disabled queer people, and the event that was accessable to them.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2YS872otYxMRAu5,non binary,20,Currently attending university,,White,No,No religion,,"they, them",Italy,When I cut my hair and the hairdresser said that I looked more androgynous ,I felt like my appeareance was a representation of what I felt truly,I was very confident and it happened multiple times that people would be fumbled when trying to understand which pronouns they had to use with me,In the wider community,,new acquaintances,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_3eVRx2Sq2CLfpc2,agender,24,Currently attending university,,Arab,No,Muslim,,she her,canada,i really like when people refer to me as a person not as a girl or a boy like just me being human. instead of saying oh yea who is that girl/boy you are with they would ask oh who is that person you are with. ,just feels nice to be concidered as a person and outside of the shackles of gender.,nothing i was just introduced.,In the wider community,,a friend's friend,"when my friends and i joke around with memes they would say go piss girl, it;s a popular meme of when someone says they need to use the bathroom, and they would ass girl is gender neutral in the end of it. or they would sen me a text saying ""GIIIIIIIRRRLLLLL (gender neutral) YOU WONT BELIEVE WHO I SAAAW""",that they still include me in silly jokes while respecting my gender identity.,,In the wider community,,friends,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_6qUo8dfGAkVX2f7,Genderfluid/agender,19,Currently attending university,,Black/African/Caribbean,Yes,No religion,,"they/them, he/him",United States,"When I accidentally sent an email to one of my professors with the wrong signature, one that included my preferred name and pronouns, I panicked. I was only out to another one of my professors and that was the signature I had last copied. I immediately sent an email apologizing, but next time I met with him he used my preferred name and pronouns, which surprised me.","My university is in Louisiana, and this state has recently passed an anti-transgender legislation. Most of the southern U.S. is passing more anti-trans laws, and I had wanted to go back into the closet (I was out to my friend group but only one professor). It was a pleasant surprise that I was recognized for who I am.","Nothing, which made me glad at how causal it was. He simply just used my preferred name.",School,,My English professor ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_6ly0l7V7nmmYt7C,Agender,21,Not currently in education,,White,No,No religion,,she/they,United States,I was talking to one of my friends and they called me by my preferred pronouns even though I never mentioned it to them.,It made me feel respected and more comfortable with who I am and my gender.,"Nothing, we continued the conversation and I never mentioned it.",Home,,My friend who is a male,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_6VG36hTw5FjNMgF,Nonbinary  outside of the gender norm ,21,Currently attending college/sixth form,,White,No,No religion,,they/them,United States Of America ,In therapy I as given the courage and found the self acceptance I needed to finally let my friends know. they were more accepting than I figured they would be and affirmed in me what I was sure of that my identity didn’t change a thing about our friendship.,It made me feel that there was nothing wrong with following the journey im on. let me find a way to get acceptance from those I cared about and leave out the people who didn’t get it and being okay with being uncomfortable.,Allowed me to be uncomfortable to venture out in my identity without shame.,Other,Therapy and school ,Therapist and Friends,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_5EGxOqV4dfnsB2r,Genderfluid,22,Not currently in education,,White,No,"Christian (including Church of England, Catholic, Protestant and all other Christian denominations)",,She/her/they/them,United States,I was telling a Trans friend of mine about my gender identity and my sexual orientation. He asked what my pronouns were and after that he always made sure to use the right ones.,It made me more comfortable with myself and made me value the friendship a lot more after that.,,Other,Friend's workplace,My friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2lbZg0cxqqrvM18,non-binary,23,Not currently in education,,Black/African/Caribbean,No,No religion,,They,Spain ,Having people ask me what my preferred pronouns are when we are just introducing ourselves and then keep using them.,Not asuming my gender identity because of my appearance. ,I felt more seen and taken into account,In the wider community,,A new person ,A friend talking about an experience that I had to other people and referring to me with they/them pronouns,Not being ashamed of my gender identity and respecting it in front of other people or when I’m not in the conversation.,It made me feel really proud of having the friends I have,School,,A friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_1mdTs5xijkOLHq9,I normally just put it under the nonbinary category but it definitely is deeper than that. I don't really resonate with any of the genders yet some days I really resonate with some.,21,Currently attending college/sixth form,,White,Yes,Any other religion (please state below),Omnistic pagan,She or they are fine ,United States of America,"I felt very accepted when someone asked about my preferred name, and asked me about like my past and my youth. It was super cool.",They asked my name and where super respectful about it,It was at work and it really helped uplift my spirit for an otherwise very boring shift,Other,work,A stranger who was just being very kind,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_8dJGaBnvkP3hsY0,non-binary,21,Currently attending university,,"Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese, any other Asian background)",No,No religion,,he/they ,South Africa ,"One afternoon I was attending my philosophy lecturer's microsoft teams meeting, along with my class. Our cameras and mics were on, and we have our pronouns next to our names at the bottom of our camera boxes. My professor asked for an example of a philosophical paradigm, for which I unmuted and answered. A classmate of mine unmuted and said ""I'm not I'm understanding what she (she being me) just explained."" I present femininely, and my voice is also quite feminine, so I was not expecting my professor to use my pronouns. However, he said continuously used 'he' for me when referring to me, while speaking to my classmate. ","The fact that my professor used my pronouns despite my rather feminine appearance and the higher pitch of my voice. My classmate also used 'she' for me, and I assumed my professor would also use she because my classmate had used it. It was incredibly affirming to be seen, knowing someone respects me enough to address me properly. ","My professor went on with his lesson, and when we had our class discussion where we are divided into groups and must debate on philosophical topics, my classmates used 'he' instead of 'she' to refer to me, and even corrected themselves if they stumbled. One classmate asked me ""are you really a he?"" to which I simply answered, ""yes"" and the conversation about that drifted off as he prioritized our debate. ",Other,online,My philosophy professor,"In my final year of high school, I delivered an English speech about the LGBTQIA+ community, and addressed the misconceptions about the community. I came out to my class as lesbian and non-binary, which shocked my class as we live in a very conservative and religious town. During break a couple hours later, I was approached by a classmate I rarely speak to. He stated that he thought something was wrong with him for sometimes wanting to look like a girl, but he sometimes wants to be a boy, which conflicted him. He said he never knew that such a feeling was common, and not some type of illness, and it could actually be a gender. He bombarded me with questions about being non-binary, how my family copes, how I could be so brave to state such a thing, all in good nature. ","This classmate of mine confided in me, asked me questions in order to learn more about himself, and had a genuine interest in what it means to be non-binary, and happy with your gender identity. I felt like some type of role model, someone he can mimic and come to me to fulfill his curiosity. ","We spoke until lunch ended, and became quite good friends thereafter. ",School,,My classmate,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_515X2rEPB49olK6,Nonbinary,23,Not currently in education,,Black/African/Caribbean,Yes,No religion,,they/she,United States,My boyfriend has always told me will respect my decisions and be there for me no matter what.,"Not everyone feels that way, especially when it comes to being outside the norm.",we hugged.,Home,,My boyfriend ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_8OH7eh0lwSky3kC,Non-binary,21,Currently attending university,,"Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese, any other Asian background)",No,Hindu,,they/them,united kingdom,I'd tell them about when someone complimented my outfit in public,getting compliments outside about my outfit which is not gendered was affirming,nothing,In the wider community,,it was a stranger,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_18yhbieFM9F10Yx,Nonbinary,22,Not currently in education,,Mixed/multiple ethnic groups,Yes,No religion,,they/them,United States ,"The place where I live has a bunch of people from different backgrounds but none of them have ever, even once, gotten my pronouns wrong or misgendered me in the course of the last 5 years. It's been extraordinary.","It felt like they really did see me as my gender rather than simply claiming to or pretending, even when I know that I don't really pass.",,Home,,My roommates.,"When I was 15, my then-boyfriend helped me buy a binder and get it delivered to his house so it wouldn't be caught by my parents.","It felt like he was excited to see me transition and find a way to be happier in myself, and was making that happen for me.",,School,,My then-boyfriend.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_3d9NnwmG9XeIlXt,Nonbinary,21,Currently attending college/sixth form,,White,Yes,No religion,,they/them,United States of America,"I had my mom ask me ""what I am"" as I told her my friends new name and pronouns. I've never once talked to her about my gender or my pronouns.","As scary as it was, it also made me feel like I seem nonbinary, or at least don't seem like my AGAB. I never talked to her about it, if she asked me that question, it's clear I give off another vibe.","I lied to her and told her I'm a woman, but I'm not entirely sure if she believed me.",Home,,My mom,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2qqJRVfTFOoRf8H,Gender non-conforming,23,Not currently in education,,White,No,No religion,,They/them,Spain,"Meeting new people and not having to go into excessive detail when I say I prefer neutral pronouns feels very validating. Like explaining it and having the other person simply understand and ask no further question, as I don't think further questions are necessary.","It makes me feel more accepted by the other person, rather than questioned.",,In the wider community,,A friend of a friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2xDyLfM0ImuP6ou,Non-binary and gender fluid,21,Currently attending university,,Mixed/multiple ethnic groups,Yes,"Christian (including Church of England, Catholic, Protestant and all other Christian denominations)",,They/He,England,When my friends call me by both my masculine and gender neutral names it makes me feel seen and especially when I am called handsome since I am AFAB and when it comes across as genuine ,It is affirming as I feel like they do see me as masculine and accept my gender identity and see me as that rather than just act like they do,I was surprised and they said they didn't think too much of it and it felt natural,Other,out with my friends,my close friends,my boyfriend lets me wear his clothes when I experience gender dysphoria ,he allows me to express myself authentically,he reassured me,Home,,boyfriend,when someone asks my pronouns when interacting me rather than assuming,it makes me feel comfortable in that social space and allows me to express myself authentically ,,In the wider community,,a stranger,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_5D67RWVeyPIIMh7,Non-binary,24,Currently attending university,,White,No,"Christian (including Church of England, Catholic, Protestant and all other Christian denominations)",,them,United States,I have a non-binary GP I see on a regular occasion. ,To see someone like myself attend the same classes as me and achieve their goals is especially affirming to my identity. It reminds me to let go of others' perceptions of my identity.,"I regularly attend my doctor appointments, which I didn't do before.",In the wider community,,General Practitioner ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_3dmd9Ldehr3PRBY,"Nonbinary, transmasculine, transgender",25,Not currently in education,,White,Yes,No religion,,They/them,United States,"I had a staff meeting with my boss and my two coworkers, one of whom is new to the team. My boss referred to me with my proper pronouns without missing a beat. ","I very rarely get to hear my pronouns used correctly, either because people aren't talking about me in front of me, or because they're someone who doesn't know and just assumes I'm female, and where it's a short enough interaction that I'm not going to fuss about it. Even the people who do know and respect my gender stumble and have to correct themselves or be corrected so to just hear it so naturally felt good. ",Not much. The staff meeting just kept going which is honestly the best thing I could've hoped for. It was just totally normal. ,Other,Work,Boss,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2OpItOOpKQzDRsn,transfemme,24,Not currently in education,,Arab,No,No religion,,she/her,France,"Yesterday, a women and her kid were passing by me, the kid was on a bicycle and the women told her kid to beware of the lady in front of him (me) and that was so affirming ",The fact that I looked like a lady to that women. and I did not have any makeup on and I haven't even shaved my beard for 2 days at that point...,Nothing they just kept on walking,In the wider community,,a random women passing by,a family member was on a video call when I entered the room and the person on the video call asked him : who's the lady who just walked in ... which was very affirming even though my family doesn't know I'm trans,passing as a women,they told them that I'm not a women which was not very affirming but at the same time I didn't come out to my family yet so it's fine I guess,Home,,A family member ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2O8ib8d22jLcCIi,nonbinary,18,Currently attending university,,White,No,No religion,,they/them,england,seeing someone who is outwardly identifying the same way that I do looking happy in public,knowing that I can do the same,nothing,In the wider community,,a stranger,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_8mjGnFCeN1ZRMKo,non-binary male,19,Currently attending university,,White,Yes,Prefer not to say,,they/he,england,"I showed friends a photo of me before i started my physical transition next to a photograph of me, and they all were shocked by all of the changes that have happened without any of us realising ","They affirmed that my transition is changing the way that i look, and that these changes are noticeable",nothing,In the wider community,,my friends,my friends always use my correct pronouns with no mistakes or slip-ups,the fact that they affirm that i am the gender that i say i am,nothing,In the wider community,,friends and family,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_6HpcVReqniF82B2,Genderqueer but feminine presenting ,25,Other (please describe below),Graduated with a bachelors degree in 2024,White,Yes,Prefer not to say,,She or they,United States,A micro affirmation I have experienced was the other day; someone I work with was telling me about her non binary child and used they/them for her child. ,"It made me feel affirmed because I know if I were to come out to this person, I would be accepted. She also talked about her non binary child as if it was no big deal and the only way I knew they were NB is the use of they/them pronouns. ","Nothing happened next, I just had a changed perception of this person I work with knowing she is accepting of her non binary child. ",In the wider community,,Mom of a client I work with,My college professors giving me advice on how to use them/they pronouns on my assignments and using they/them on letters of recommendation for me. ,"My professors were accepting, and seeing my preferred pronouns along with all my accomplishments in the recommendations helped me realize I can be non binary in a professional space. ",I got accepted to an internship using the letter of recommendation that was written for me.,School,,My professors,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2isYwB0F0viOitj,non-binary,22,Not currently in education,,White,Yes,No religion,,they/them,United Kingdom,"One of my colleagues at work has started using they/them pronouns about me without being asked, like when she's talking about me to someone else when I'm not there (my friends at work have been reporting back)",Just feeling respected and also that its taken seriously - like not just in front of me meaning that shes not just doing it to make me happy etc,I have felt more comfortable having open conversations about gender at work,Other,Work,Colleague,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_4iwC9Al5R8rF0qt,Non-binary/ woman-aligned,21,Currently attending university,,White,Yes,No religion,,They/she,Australia,"My friend always includes me and my gender experience in their discussion of gender fluidity and trans identities, even though I outwardly present to be my assigned gender at birth and generally don't get included in these discussions.",Feeling understood and cared about on a really deep level.,Just continued discussion.,In the wider community,,My friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_8lfNJ958lU4Dgz0,Non-binary,25,Currently attending university,,White,No,No religion,,They/Them,Germany,I always enjoy when people are at least a little bit curios and ask questions about my gender identity. ,"As an AMAB non-binary person, I am commonly not taken seriously in my gender identity, so when someone shows that they are at least curious about that, I see myself validated.",N/A,In the wider community,,My friends,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_6ojb2pZ7Z3Lb1vj,Agender,18,Currently attending college/sixth form,,Mixed/multiple ethnic groups,Yes,"Christian (including Church of England, Catholic, Protestant and all other Christian denominations)",,Any pronouns are fine,United States,People automatically asked for my pronouns at a dinner party and used them the whole night.  ,It showed that people automatically accepted me for who I said I am. ,I continued to have an enjoyable evening. We all ate dinner and then went for a walk. ,In the wider community,,My friends and their friends. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2fCCESNBKmy7Bze,Non-binary and genderfluid,22,Currently attending university,,White,Yes,No religion,,They/them,Croatia,"The media started including more and more LGBTQ+ characters, especially non-cis ones, and they are a great representation of people like me but on the big screen. ",I felt seen. ,I hoped it would just grow and happen more and more often. ,Home,,A TV Show role model ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2qrUS7OYfDuOG4W,non binary,23,Not currently in education,,White,Prefer not to say,Prefer not to say,,they/them,United Kingdom,"a friend at work was curious about how i identify, asking questions like how i like to present myself and how to use my pronouns",it showed that they wanted to gain a deeper understanding of being trans and non binary so that they’re more knowledgeable and be more supportive. it was a very positive conversation and it felt good to talk to somebody about this knowing i wasn’t going to receive judgement,"this person developed a better understanding of singular they/them pronouns which i know is difficult for some people, and they improved at using my pronouns without having to correct themselves",Other,workplace,a friend at work,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_3QZZiRky3jUd5ND,non-binary,25,Other (please describe below),,Black/African/Caribbean,No,Muslim,,non-binary,US,"""I remember one time at work when I was nervous about presenting an idea during a team meeting. Just before I spoke, my manager turned to me and said, ‘I’m really looking forward to hearing your perspective on this—it’s always insightful.’ That small comment instantly boosted my confidence. It made me feel seen and valued, and it set a positive tone for the rest of the meeting. It was such a small thing, but it meant so much to me.""  ","“I’m really looking forward to hearing your perspective on this—it’s always insightful”—highlighted the speaker’s strengths, creating a sense of inclusion and respect. It helped the speaker feel confident and appreciated in a potentially nerve-wracking situation, demonstrating care and genuine encouragement.","After hearing the manager’s encouraging words, the speaker felt more confident and proceeded to present their idea. The positive tone set by the affirmation created a supportive atmosphere, and the team was receptive to the idea. It even sparked a productive discussion, with colleagues building on the initial suggestion. The speaker left the meeting feeling not only heard but also valued for their contribution, reinforcing their belief in their capabilities and willingness to share in the future.",In the wider community,, speaker’s manager,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_7tbeKAOXto3yFuO,Nonbinary,24,Not currently in education,,White,Yes,No religion,,She or They,United States of America,"When I was taking college courses, my name would always be marked as my birth name. Whenever I would tell my professors that I went by something else they were always more than willing to mark it properly in their system, and from then on they always used the proper name. ","To come from a household where my chosen name isn't something that's respected, it made me feel so much more comfortable around my professors. I knew I would be able to talk to them about stuff regarding my identity, and they wouldn't judge me for it.","Some of my professors were even willing to mark down my pronouns so they always knew to get them right. Since I use pronouns that align with my gender assigned at birth, I didn't expect them to do that, but seeing the effort they took to make myself and other trans students comfortable was extremely affirming.",School,,My professors,"When I first started questioning my identity, I was so used to hearing about horror stories where people would tell their friends that they're nonbinary and starting to use a different name, and their friends would still use improper names or pronouns under the guise that it was just too difficult to remember. When I came out to my small friend group and told them my new name, they were all immediately accepting and switched to using my new name immediately.",I felt that my friends genuinely cared about me and my well-being. They knew that this was important to me so they made an effort of acceptance.,,School,,My group of friends,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_1inahQ8x8jQSvDy,nonbinary,23,Other (please describe below),Law school in the fall,White,Yes,No religion,,they/them,USA,"Friends/professors using correct pronouns, seeing nonbinary people in positions (specifically in my desired career field), people asking about my pronouns","Showing a genuine interest in my identity and respecting my choices, seeing people succeed without compromising or hiding their identity",A small but noticeable feeling of confidence and warmth within me,School,,"Friends affirming me. I saw a tweet about a civil servant in the US government, and while the tweet was mocking them, to me it was comforting seeing them proudly occupy that space.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_829D991qsBxZGcA,Fluid,23,Currently attending university,,White,No,Any other religion (please state below),Pagan,They/Them,Portugal,"Seeing representation in media, characters that share identities similar to my own, and that go through their journey of understanding (or just simply existing as they are)",To feel like I can see myself in stories apart from my own,Seeing others excited for the same representations reminds me that there's a whole community out there,In the wider community,,"Characters in TV/Films (and later, seeing interviews from the actors and writers about the development of those characters)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_6AU7KIQwn7nwcJH,Non Binary,21,Currently attending university,,White,Yes,"Christian (including Church of England, Catholic, Protestant and all other Christian denominations)",,they/them,United States,"My friend who I just came out to uses my new name and pronouns every time without me needing to remind him. I was expecting there to be some transition time, but when I see him, he uses my name and pronouns without judging me.",It was affirming to not be judged for my new name and pronouns and to be accepted by someone I call my best friend.,He still continues to call me my preferred name and pronouns.,Home,,My best friend.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_73qyQhH23WGI2Zx,Male,20,Other (please describe below),Trade school ,White,Prefer not to say,Any other religion (please state below),"Mixed/open, Christian and Germanic Pagan",He/him,United States,My friend has never referred to me as the wrong pronouns. ,He never treated me differently or asked me questions nor mentioned me being transgender. ,Nothing,Other,School and work,My friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_8GXp4NdNrn77KGl,Trans man,22,Not currently in education,,White,No,No religion,,He/him,UK,Co-worker from different department came over to ask me what pronouns I would like them to use. Said they had been using gender neutral pronouns when talking about me and wanted to see what my preference was. ,They recognised that my gender did not align with my assigned gender despite having few interactions with them ,They said they would use preferred pronouns and told me which they prefer too ,Other,Work,Co worker,"Everyone at my workplace only refers to me by my chosen name (nickname from my birth name that reads more masculine), to the point where new employees probably don't know what my 'real' name is. Manager used to have my full name in the employee contact book but I have since noticed he has scribbled it out and replaced it with my nickname. ",Makes me feel like people see me as a guy even if that's not true. At the very least they don't think of me as a girl. ,Always introduced to new people at work with a masculine name,Other,Work,"Co-workers, managers","Walking in the street behind a woman with two children. One of them was swinging a stick and the other said 'be careful there's a man behind us'. The woman told them 'let the man past' but as I got closer said 'let the lady past. Sorry'. Both children seemed confused, one asked 'that's a lady?' ","Even though I didn't interact with the people, the children were convinced I was a man to the point they questioned their parent, who was also convinced until I got closer and she saw my face. I guess I have a masculine walk ",I didn't talk to them and heard her using me as an example of how ''women can have short hair too'.,In the wider community,,Strangers,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_8ou29OhQmosQYwl,Non binary and I recently discovered I'm intersex,24,Currently attending university,,White,Yes,Prefer not to say,,They/them,Italy,"I was in an academic setting at university and I was doing a presentation in English, a person, looking at me, said ""she"" and a colleague of mine said ""they""",My pronounce were recognised and corrected by a person that doesnt know me so well while I was doing something regarding my future work,"Nothing in particular, I felt a bit happy",School,,My collegue,"When I lived in Vienna, my housemate was a Japanese girl. We talked mostly in English, sometimes in German. Mind you, she has some language problems due to Japanese being quite different. One time, a now ex-friend of mine, referred to me as ""she"" and I corrected her. My ex-friend said that ""she was doing that so that my housemate wasn't get confused"" and then my housemate confronted her saying that she might not quite understand pronouns sometimes due to the language barrier, but she understood my identity and strongly respected me, so it was just rude to get my pronouns wrong","That a person from a completely different culture supported me ""against"" a person that was my ""friend"" for a long time",I thanked her and I think it was a key point of noticing the social deterioration between my ex friend and I,Home,,My beloved ex-housemate,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_3H5iCoIeKzU32CJ,non binary,19,Currently attending university,,White,No,No religion,,they/them,United States,"During a job interview when I mentioned I was non binary, the interviewer immediately switched to using my preferred pronouns no questions asked",I felt accepted for who I was. I felt like a normal person who never has the issue of being misgendered.,,In the wider community,,Interviewer,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_8n9rKteBLhQhLMN,non-binary ,23,Currently attending college/sixth form,,White,No,No religion,,they/them,Portugal,I wasn’t grouped with girls in an occasion where a coordinator was clearly going to say “you girls can …” after saying “you boys” for another group. The person knew I was there and said “this group over here can…” instead.,"I felt defined by my person instead of my body, plus it shows the person who said that is kind and can be trusted, that i can be myself in that space and have someone who will probably be on my side.",nothing.,In the wider community,,A coordinator of volunteer work.,"Im not sure this can be consideres a microaffirmation, bit it is something that has happened a few times and has made me feel really happy and confident in my gender expression: Times at parties or other events where either gay men or people that almost never feel attraction anyone but men feel attracted to me and act on it as someone of the female sex who has not transitioned.","It’s great for my ego, it affirms that my  masculinity or androgyny is perceived by other people, that my personality and gender expression is my own and not defined by my body, or if it is it isn’t my body=woman.",doesn’t aply.,In the wider community,,Strangers and friends.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_8lz7qbxP78JQvfG,non binary,22,Other (please describe below),masters,Black/African/Caribbean,No,No religion,,they/them,uk,i feel accepted when my friends invite me for a social gathering,good energy and assurance,we had fun,Other,work,my friends,my family invited me to have dinner with them a year after i told them about my transition,the love they showed,we bonded,Home,,my family,i got asked out on a proper date by one random good looking guy made me happy,how he cared for me.,we had a really good time,In the wider community,,my current partner,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_8CrlCXx3BIHusjp,"Non-binary, but not very strictly staying away from gendered things. I just don't really fit in my assigned gender at birth fully/all the time.",19,Currently attending university,,White,Yes,No religion,,They/them.,Sweden,"When I'm around some of my older friends, much older than me and that I respect a lot, they remember to use my preffered pronouns, even when talking to people who might not be as understanding. Even when I've brushed it off when someone else forgets or doesn't, they still use the right ones.","It makes me feel like I don't have to remind them all the time, like they care enough to not default to what I look like, but actually remembering the things I've explained.",,In the wider community,,"Freinds, but friends who I restpect a lot and also doubble as role models.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_6QyqAkWiRbDl60N,transfemme,25,Currently attending college/sixth form,,Mixed/multiple ethnic groups,No,No religion,,she/her,United States,"There was one moment that stands out to me. It was during a casual lunch with a friend of mine, someone I had known for a while, but we hadn’t talked deeply about my transition before. We were catching up, chatting about random things when, out of nowhere, they said something that really touched me. I mentioned how I had been feeling more confident recently, and they just smiled and said, “It’s so great to see you this happy and comfortable in your skin. You really shine now.”  That comment was small, but it hit me deeply. It wasn’t about my transition in a direct way, but it acknowledged the change in how I was presenting myself and feeling. It was validating without being overly focused on the transition itself. There was no need for a lengthy explanation; they just recognized who I was now—confident, happy, and at peace. In that moment, I felt seen and appreciated for the person I was becoming, not just the process I was going through.  What made this microaffirmation especially meaningful was that it was subtle but sincere. They didn’t make a big deal out of it, which made it feel natural and unforced.","It wasn’t about congratulating me for transitioning or for my appearance. it was about acknowledging my growth as a person. I felt like they saw me for who I really was, and that recognition made me feel more connected to them and more at ease in my own identity.","After that, I felt a lot closer to my friend. We continued chatting, but I was more relaxed and open than I had been before. That small acknowledgment helped me feel more secure in myself, and I found myself smiling more throughout the conversation. It just gave me a quiet confidence, like I was truly seen for who I am.",School,,a friend of mine.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_5WDESJqlyk4bBiV,"Transgender Woman, Genderqueer",23,Currently attending university,,White,Yes,No religion,,she/her | they/them,United States of America,"I have absolutely experienced microaffirmations regarding my pronouns and comments on my appearance from my partner. Specifically my partner makes little comments about my hair and helps me do it in pretty styles that feels really affirming, and she does it in a way that makes it feel like just something that happens everyday, like I'm just another girly-girl.","I am very uncomfortable in my body as a transgender woman, so being told that I am pretty, being complimented on my hair, and being treated as just another girl really helps me normalize positive feelings of euphoria in my gender.",,Home,,Partner,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_6TlrzzmdtoNxfiN,Gender fluid,23,Not currently in education,,White,No,No religion,,he/she/they,United States,"When I posted about realizing I was gender fluid for the first time, several of my friends messaged me to clarify what pronouns I would like them to use and how best to make me feel comfortable.",Many of my friends agreed with my choice and said it made sense for me. It affirmed that I wasn't just making stuff up in my head.,"I told my friends that I was comfortable with all pronouns, and that was that.",In the wider community,,My friends over text,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_1io1jGAlbyFGB7b,nonbinary ,25,Not currently in education,,White,No,No religion,,they/them,USA,Someone at a store once gendered me correctly and used they/them pronouns for me when I hadn't told them. ,The proper usage of my pronouns as well as having someone be confused about my gender and gender expression ,n/a,In the wider community,,An employee in a store,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_7m2kfLDbcSJq3gc,trans masculine,25,Not currently in education,,White,No,No religion,,he/him,usa,My friend was really interested in how I do my t shots and wanted to be with me while I was doing it. At the time I was scared of needles and I would take a long time to do my shots and she made me feel better about it in a way that was very natural and normal. Because of her I feel way more confident now and I'm not scared of needles anymore.,Being treated normally. This might sound simple but with my family I feel like I'm not a normal person a lot of the time.,I can do my t shots by myself quickly now and my friend is always here for me.,Home,,My friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2tajRqcdJ7NjKCF,non-binary,25,Currently attending university,,White,No,No religion,,they/them,Ireland,My best-friend shared a cry with when I came out to them as non-binary and that I wanted to move forward and occupy the world as non-binary and gave me maybe the most deeply satisfying hug I've had in my life.,The sheer volume of love and acceptance I felt in that moment,We just proceeded with our night and watched a movie,Home,,My friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_7c00Bdnrf8WqJE1,non-binary,22,Currently attending university,,Prefer not to say,No,No religion,,she/her,mexico,"During an open class the proffessor who didn't know me reffered to me as ""that boy"" during a time where I preffered he/they pronouns",Without any procedures I was able to give off the image I wanted,Nothing,School,,Proffessor,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_1Gmekg3QwoEYQlb,non-binary,22,Other (please describe below),Finished Undergraduate studies but waiting for graduation in 4 months ,Mixed/multiple ethnic groups,No,No religion,,they/them,Canada,"I was really worried to come out to my friends in highschool that I was non-binary, because I felt like they would mess up my pronouns a lot and still view me as my assigned gender at birth, but I was really happy to see that they made a huge effort and immediacy in changing their language.",The fact that my friends took my gender identity seriously and made conscious effort to make sure their language aligned with my gender identity.,They continue to do it to this day :),School,,My highschool friends at the time,"I was researching research labs to volunteer for at university, and while I was looking I found one who had many people who weren't cisgender and had gender outside binary norms.  I instantly felt a connection to this research lab and applied to volunteer.","Knowing that there were people with similar gender identities as me in positions that I eventually wanted to be in or positions I hold in high regard, made me feel like I wasn't alone in academia as someone who is non-binary ",Not applicable,School,,The existance of transgender/non-binary academics in research I was interested in,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_1JWvBggGldp9Ffm,non binary,24,Currently attending university,,Black/African/Caribbean,Yes,No religion,,they/them,United States,"I would tell that friend that I saw a person who was just like me the other day on Tiktok, they were the same race and gender as me and even better, our upbringing was almost the same. I felt really valid and seen and didn't feel like I was alone and I decided to follow them.",It was affirming because it's someone who is almost just like me in a lot of ways that always goes through some trouble.,"I felt happy, and decided to follow that person.",Other,online,The person who was in the tiktok.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_7qwYeFkGbmO1jVi,Non binary,24,Currently attending university,,White,No,"Christian (including Church of England, Catholic, Protestant and all other Christian denominations)",,They/them,Mexico,"Sometimes people just refer to me with non-gender adjectives, or call me ""friend"", or ""friendship"" in Spanish instead of calling me ""girl friend"", I know they don't do it because of the reasons I would like to, but still it feels really good. ",The fact that they're just referring to me with non-gender words to describe me. ,"I didn't correct them, just in hopes they continued to do the same thing without realizing. ",In the wider community,,A friend of my friend. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_1sBaz7QYFzzXMiZ,Nonbinary,23,Not currently in education,,White,Yes,No religion,,they/them/theirs,United States,"My fried has always referred to me using my preferred pronouns, and it means a lot to me. ",It was affirming because it makes me feel seen and that this person cares enough about me to remember and recognize me as a nonbinary person. ,Nothing.,In the wider community,,My friend. ,"Another time I experienced a microaffirmation was when I was introduced to a new person, and her boyfriend (my brother in law) already informed her that I am nonbinary, so she already was using the correct pronouns. ",This was affirming because this made me feel very seen and known. ,I told her boyfriend that I appreciated that he already told her about my pronouns. ,Home,,My BIL's girlfriend. ,"Another time I experienced something like this was when I went to my local grocery store, and a bagger used the right pronouns for me, and I was looking very feminine, as well. I have never met him before this. ",I felt very seen and really appreciate that this person defaulted to they/them. ,I called my then-boyfriend about it after I checked out. ,Other,Store,Bagger in the grocery store,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_7PcgAtJsNhvSbgq,however I'm feeling for the day,25,Not currently in education,,White,Yes,No religion,,they/them,US,"Whenever I'm streaming, and someone new will come in and we'll go over pronouns and such, it makes me feel seen. Also, when I decided to switch to more neutral pronouns, seeing my other friends and viewers who knew me before as she/her switch to the new ones has been incredibly validating. ","Being heard and feeling seen for who I am, even if that changes.",We just all vibe together in a safe place. ,Other,Online community,my community,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_3nBhFTDYDJlxlFC,"Fluid, I identify as non binary",25,Not currently in education,,Prefer not to say,No,No religion,,he/they,Chile,A person asked me about my pronouns without me having to say anything,This person didn't assume my gender identity despite my feminine appearance,They used my correct pronouns,In the wider community,,A friend of a friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_6QElpuB4to611Ts,Non binary,25,Currently attending university,,Other (please describe below),No,No religion,,He/they,Mexico,"I went shopping for clothes. When I was asked if I was getting clothes for myself, the lady working there didn't assume a specific gender and showed me both sections, emphasizing that she could show me any kind I would like to try on. When I wanted to try on the articles, she asked me about which changing room I would feel more comfortable in. ","The worker didn't assume my gender by the way a look, she treated me respectfully and asked me about preferences without being too curious nor rude.","I felt really happy! Shopping for clothes is really hard for me, so this experience was very nice. ",Other,Shopping mall,A worker,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_20vCusIVO1OTbdK,non-binary ,25,Currently attending university,,White,Prefer not to say,Prefer not to say,,they / them,united kingdom,"I stayed at my best friend's flat for a week. He lived with his sister, who I hadn't spoken to in years. I was unsure if she knew about my name or pronouns. For the whole week I was there, she used my correct name, and pronouns without ever being reminded or asked to once. ","The fact that she saw me for who I was before I had done much to change my appearance. It felt nice to know that she cared enough to learn about my gender identity, and that she respected my identity enough to see me as me.","I spent a week in the same flat as her and felt very relaxed, and able to be myself. it was amazing!",Other,friend's home,friend's sister,"my lecturer corrected himself and used they/them and he/him pronouns for me, after hearing to me refer to myself as they/them once","similar to the last experience, being accepted for my identity and being referred to in the correct pronouns. in this case, my lecturer used she/her to refer to me before meeting me, based on my student records. when we met, I used they/them to refer to myself once, and he immediately grasped the concept. he used they/them for me, and even he/him without being asked, which was incredibly validating. At this point I was too timid / scared to ask people to use he/him pronouns for me. I felt it would confuse them, or make them ask intrusive questions. But my lecturer saw my masculine clothing, my short haircut, and the way I talk about myself, and accepted my identity without me even having to tell him.","his act of 'microaffirmation' made me feel extremely comfortable around him. I talked to him about my academic struggles, as I trusted him to be accepting and understanding. We had an amazing academic relationship that was built on the trust he inspired within me, by his reaction to my identity.",School,,my lecturer,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_8gvgtiYOFBxTF5n,Genderqueer,25,Not currently in education,,White,No,No religion,,they/them,UK,My friends use the pronouns that I like to hear more normally and naturally now.,That it felt nice to hear from external rather than just in my head.,I realised how much getting misgendered in other parts of my life actually make me feel more negative.,Other,Party,My friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_1PjSHTqTosPSPOF,Nonbinary ,22,Not currently in education,,White,No,"Christian (including Church of England, Catholic, Protestant and all other Christian denominations)",,they/them,USA,"This moght not be an entirely specific experience, but everytime I talk to my mom about gender stuff (whether it be about my own, or talking about it in general), she's always super supportive and asks a lot of questions in a respectable way.","The support is the most affirming thing to me. I know my mom always tries her hardest, even if she doesn't fully understand it all.",n/a,Home,,My mom,"I have another friend who always gets my pronouns right. I've known her for over a decade and she always knew me as she/her, and I never bothered to correct her after coming out because I didn't want to be a bother. When we finally did have a conversation about pronouns, she's always made it a hardlined point to always use they/them for me.","Using my correct pronouns and making such an effort for it. Everytime I hear her say it, it makes me feel really good.",n/a,Home,,My best friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2wzSoz2VwGuvsRN,Genderqueer,22,Not currently in education,,White,No,No religion,,"They/them, it/its",England,"The kids I work with seem really chill about me being fine with being called ""Mr"" or ""Miss"", and with me being very visually gender non-conforming (painted nails, long hair, etc).","The expectation that I would be called ""Mr"" because of my appearance was broken when I was expecting the kids to have a very rigid idea of gender.","We just got on with the schoolwork they were doing, and I answered their questions about the work. It was like the previous conversation had never happened to them.",Other,Work in a school,The students I work with,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_7CmhgAFS6ALBdCA,nonbinary,24,Currently attending college/sixth form,,White,No,No religion,,they/them,United States,Someone complimented me when I was crossdressing.,It affirmed that I looked like my gender.,Nothing happened next.,School,,A colleague,Someone used the correct pronouns without me asking them to. They asked more about my gender too.,It reaffirmed by gender identity.,Nothing else happened.,School,,A colleague,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_1OTPjYId0M3ZUhY,Agender/nonbinary (mostly I just don't ID with any gender),24,Not currently in education,,Mixed/multiple ethnic groups,Yes,No religion,,They,United States,"I remember at my cousin's birthday party where it was mostly just family and stuff who don't bother with my pronouns, I was up in my cousin's room with my two cousins and the one whose birthday it was' friends and her one friend who knows me decently well casually still used my pronouns even though no one else was, and didn't make a big deal out of it or anything.",I guess folks casually/naturally using the right pronouns to describe me even when surrounded by folks who don't bother doing so is just nice.,"Nothing, the conversation or whatever just went on.",Other,My cousin's house,My cousin's friend,I can think of times online (Discord servers/Tumblr/etc) have made aure to use they for me if they didn't know my pronouns instead of just assuming or whatever.,"I guess just the fact that people don't assume and automatically say ""she"" or whatever.","Nothing really, conversation as usual",Other,Online,"Tumblr mutuals, folks I'm in Discord servers with, etc (this has happened multiple times)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2hhZUULEhJJowBT,non binary ,21,Currently attending university,,White,No,No religion,,they them,poland,my new friend asked if i used any other pronouns and then started using them right after ,he immediately listened and incorporated them into his speaking ,,School,,a friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_7O2KzA2uNluAOU8,Non-binary,18,Currently attending secondary school,,White,Prefer not to say,No religion,,Any pronouns; she/they/he,Canada,"In a video game I was playing, I saw a minor character who was referred to as ""they"" and ""them."" ","I don't live in a household where I can be affirmed, so it was nice seeing this in the middle of a video game we were all playing, and it was subtle enough that nobody could complain about ""shoving it down your throat,"" which I don't have a problem with, but it was nice to not be noticeable enough to start a whole big deal. ","Nothing really happened, I was just happy to see it.",Other,,The video game SpiderMan 2 PS5,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_5lruEq9cyGLMmbD,non-binary ,21,Currently attending university,,White,No,No religion,,they/them or he/him,Chile,"After I came out as non-binary to a close friend of mine. We were hanging out, and  I made a comment about feeling a bit out of place in certain social settings. They said, ""I can’t imagine how tough it must be, but I just want you to know I see you exactly for who you are, and I support you. You don’t have to explain yourself to me."" It was such a simple sentence, but it made me feel really seen and validated in a way I hadn’t expected.",What stood out was the way they acknowledged my experience and identity without any hesitation or judgment.,I felt a huge wave of relief.,Home,,My close friend,"I had recently started a new job, and during my first week I mentioned my pronouns and said that I prefer they/them pronouns. One of my coworkers immediately responded with, “Got it. Thanks for sharing that with me. I’ll make sure to use your pronouns going forward.”",What was most affirming about this was the immediate acknowledgment,"It was a small moment, but it made me feel much more comfortable",Other,work,A new coworker who I’d just met.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_4kOorrgOXLW4PDX,non-binary,25,Not currently in education,,White,No,No religion,,they/them,australia,"i really like it when people are verbally unsure how to gender me, like they'll use a they/them pronoun or swap pronouns. i am unsure if they're doing it to be affirming but i appreciate them recognising that i am unlikely to be using femme pronouns and changing accordingly ","just the recognition that as i currently am i come across as androgynous/non-conforming enough that people, and especially strangers, second guess how they gender me. i fully love that",,In the wider community,,strangers,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_22zPJDppQ5XLtyW,"Non binary, queer",25,Other (please describe below),Currently doing a PhD,White,Prefer not to say,No religion,,They/them ,Spain,When my friends and partner elude using any name to refer to me if they can't use my choosen name,They prefer to do something strange before saying my legal name,"Sometimes it looks like they just got distracted, so people ignore it, but I like it",Home,,"Mostly my partner, sometimes my friends too","Sometimes people pause a moment before refering to me or talking about me, because they don't know how to do it correctly","That they are trying to not refer about me as my assigned gender, they're trying to do it right ","Sometimes they ask me, other times they go a neutral route",In the wider community,,"People who are friendly with me, but not friends",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_25SMaiCIjwr81N9,Transmasc,22,Currently attending college/sixth form,,Other (please describe below),Yes,No religion,,he/him,Poland,I've been taking HRT for about 8 months and I've noticed that every stranger calls me a man,I couldn't see the difference in my appearance until people started treating me the way I want to be treated. It means that I already pass as a man.,,In the wider community,,Friends,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_7ScrknIZY6RGYB9,non-binary,23,Not currently in education,,White,No,No religion,,she/her or they/them,Poland,"A queer friend has referred to me with a funny made-up term for non-binary people (not translatable into English). This has made me feel validated in my identity and confirmed that I exist as a non-binary person in the minds of people I have come out to as non-binary, and made me feel accepted as it was part of an affectionate joke with a friend.","Awareness that others think of me as non-binary and it's a comfortable subject for them to joke about, not something that needs to be tip-toed around. It makes me feel secure in my identity that it's just a matter-of-fact statement.",I laughed and we continued the conversation.,Other,through an online communicator,a friend,People that I come out to as non-binary immediately accepting and not questioning it & moving on.,The immediate acceptance and not treating it like anything strange was validating.,,In the wider community,,The people I told I was non-binary (on several occasions).,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
R_2EieFLLAq8uykzp,Nonbinary,23,Currently attending college/sixth form,,White,No,No religion,,He her,Poland,"There were a few times I’ve been called feminine, and mistaken for a woman, which made me quite happy",The fact that some people come to immediate conclusion that I’m not male,They’ve just corrected themselves,Other,At work,A man I was doing business with and many other people,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,