(Re)discovering the Physical Body Online: Strategies and Challenges to Approach Non-Cisgender Identity in Social Virtual Reality

Title of the Paper

(Re)discovering the Physical Body Online: Strategies and Challenges to Approach Non-Cisgender Identity in Social Virtual Reality

Paper Information

• Subject Area: Social Virtual Reality and Non-Cisgender Identity Expression
• Keywords: Social Virtual Reality, Non-Cisgender, Online Gender Expression, Embodied Interaction, Metaverse Design

Research Background and Issues

• Identified Problems or Challenges:

  • Current technological designs often lack inclusive support for the needs of non-cisgender users, particularly in terms of gender expression and identity practices.
  • Social Virtual Reality (Social VR) platforms, with their unique interaction methods (e.g., full-body tracking and voice communication), may introduce new ways of expressing identity, but existing research has paid little attention to non-cisgender users.

• Significance Analysis:

  • As online social spaces evolve, understanding how Social Virtual Reality supports or hinders diverse gender identity expressions is crucial for advancing technology and fostering social equality and inclusivity.

• Research Motivation and Related Work:

  • Key HCI research areas, such as Feminist HCI and Intersectional HCI, have emphasized how technology shapes gender practices and social justice issues.
  • Existing studies on Social Virtual Reality primarily focus on the experiences of cisgender users, neglecting the unique identity expression practices of non-cisgender users.
  • This study aims to fill the research gap regarding how non-cisgender users construct and experience their identities in Social Virtual Reality.

Proposed Solution

• Proposed Approach or Method:

  • Conduct qualitative analysis of multi-year interview data to explore how non-cisgender users express and practice their identities in Social Virtual Reality.
  • Propose strategies for non-cisgender users to achieve gender expression through "experimental avatars," "voice training," and "community participation."

• Innovative Contributions:

  • Provide empirical evidence for how Social Virtual Reality introduces new phenomena of identity exploration and expression.
  • Redefine technology-supported identity practices, particularly the role of rediscovering the body through virtual worlds.

• Implementation Steps and Techniques:

  • Utilize qualitative interview methods to collect data from 15 non-cisgender Social Virtual Reality users.
  • Apply grounded theory to analyze the data and identify major themes and subthemes.
  • Compare the analysis results with existing HCI research and propose recommendations for future design.

Research Findings

• Specific Findings:

  1. Gender Expression Strategies:
     • Experimental Avatars: Non-cisgender users explore and express their identities by wearing different avatars (e.g., customizing gendered accessories and clothing).
     • Voice Training and Validation: Use VR's voice interaction features to train and validate a voice that aligns with their gender identity.
     • Community Participation: Engage in LGBTQ-themed virtual events to exchange support and advice with other non-cisgender users.
  2. Challenges Faced:
     • Embodied Anti-Non-Cisgender Discourse: Hostile language and behaviors targeting non-cisgender users in public social spaces (e.g., embodied harassment through virtual body tracking).
     • Frequent Gender Misrecognition: Non-cisgender users are often misidentified as cisgender due to mismatches between voice and avatar appearance.

• Comparative Advantages over Existing Solutions:

  • Offers more immersive gender expression methods by combining virtual avatars with real-world bodies, enhancing the depth of identity exploration.
  • Redefines the boundaries of privacy and authenticity in online social spaces.

• Experimental or Evaluation Results:

  • Non-cisgender users experience broader support for gender expression in Social Virtual Reality, but they also face more complex safety risks.

• Limitations and Future Directions:

  • The study sample is relatively small and predominantly white, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
  • Suggests further research on non-cisgender identity expression across diverse racial and cultural backgrounds.
  • Future exploration could focus on designing metaverse environments that support diverse gender identities, including harmonious social norms and anti-harassment mechanisms.

Conclusion

This study provides an in-depth analysis of the strategies and challenges faced by non-cisgender users in expressing their identities within Social Virtual Reality, offering valuable insights for the design of future online social technologies, such as the metaverse. By rediscovering the role of the body in virtual identity construction, the research redefines technology-supported gender expression practices while highlighting critical issues in designing inclusive and safe social spaces, such as managing the connection between virtual bodies and real identities and navigating the boundaries between online and offline identities.