Dear Participant:



My name is Emerson Todd, and I am an Undergraduate at East Tennessee State University. I am working on my Bachelors of Science in Psychology and Sociology. In order to finish my studies, I need to complete an honours thesis. In order to complete my honours thesis, I must conduct research. The name of my research study is Creative Gender Performativity.



The purpose of this study is to examine gender expression as a coping mechanism for minority stigma. I would like to give a brief survey to individuals who identify as transgender, are part of the LGBT+ community, OR identify as gender non-conforming, using REDcap. It should only take about 20 minutes to finish. You will be asked questions about your gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression, and your experiences with discrimination and mental health. After completing the survey you will be given an opportunity to opt into a post-survey interview. This interview is fully VOLUNTARY and will be audio recorded and transcribed using a transcription survice. Since this study deals with gender and sexual identity/expression in terms of mental health and discrimination, the risks are uncomfortable feelings or thoughts while reflecting. However, you may also feel better after you have had the chance to express yourself about your identity and expression. Other than a better understanding and positive feelings, there are no other direct benefits of the study.



Your confidentiality will be protected as best we can. Since we are using technology no guarantees can be made about the interception of data sent over the Internet by any third parties, just like with emails. Your name will not be collected while collecting the contact information and will not be tied to you survey answers in any way. REDcap has security features, is fully encrypted, and IP addresses will not be collected. Although your rights and privacy will be protected, the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Institutional Review Board (IRB) and individuals working on this research can view the study records.



All information that can identify you will be removed from the data. Some quotes from possible interview may be used for paper purposes. If any quotes are desired for use in the paper we will send you an email with the quote listed for approval. This data will then be stored for possible use in future research studies. We will not ask for additional consent for those studies.



Taking part in this study is voluntary. You may decide not to take part in this study. You can quit at any time. You may skip any questions you do not want to answer, or you can exit the online survey form if you want to stop completely. If you quit or decide not to take part, the benefits that you would otherwise get will not be changed.



If you have any research-related questions or problems, you may contact me, Emerson Todd, at (423) 218 - 2170. I am working on this project under Dr. Stacey Williams. You may reach her at (423) 439 - 6693. Also, you may call the chairperson of the IRB at ETSU at (423) 439-6054 if you have questions about your rights as a research subject. If you have any questions or concerns about the research and want to talk to someone who is not with the research team or if you cannot reach the research team, you may call an IRB Coordinator at 423/439-6055 or 423/439-6002.



Sincerely,

Emerson Todd



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