"The most compelling and captivating account of gender of the twenty-first century, this book is a breakthrough in gender theory at a time of extraordinary challenge for gender diversity. Rooted in decades of rigorous research, Heidi Levitt has formulated a novel metatheory showing how gender and sexuality are inextricably linked and how gender functions at both the level of the individual and the culture. Gender Functions is essential reading for all those who want to understand the psychology of gender through a decidedly twenty-first century lens.”   —Phillip L. Hammack, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology and Director of the Sexual and Gender Diversity Laboratory, University of California, Santa Cruz, USA"

"A personally and intellectually generous account of the dazzling array of genders and gender communities that comprise the human experience. Using her 25+ years of qualitative research on the functions of gender, Levitt calls us in to experience this richness and contemplate a future where gender diversity is valued and celebrated."  —Alex Rutherford, Ph.D., Professor in the Historical, Theoretical, and Critical Studies of Psychology program, York University, Canada"

Centering voices from 25+ years of interview-based research, Gender Functions reveals enduring patterns that convey what gender entails and why LGBTQ+ genders matter.  Throughout, people candidly share how their gender identities are shaped and enacted, from across drag, butch, femme, bear, leather, transgender, nonbinary, and house/family communities.

• It illuminates how genders create new possibilities to be authentic in relationships, rather than viewing gender development as a project of adopting social norms.  Gender communities are seen as agentic and self-determining in the face of evolving historical and continuing stigma and constraints.

• Chapters make evident the connections between gender norms, internal felt sense, gender identity, gender expression, and gendered sexuality—articulating the cyclical process through which genders continually evolve.   Instead of providing an explanation for how one of these aspects of gender develops, Gender Functions describes how they each develop in concert and act to influence each other. 

• The constructive functions of gender are showcased, making clear why gender serves people’s needs and is vital across societies.  An purely identarian approach to gender is challenged and a functionalist account for how gender works across domains of our lives beyond identity is presented with vivid quotes and personal accounts from gender-minoritized people across communities and with gorgeous images of SGM gender by visual artists. 

Gender Functions takes readers on an interdisciplinary voyage through the evolution of LGBTQ+ genders, across diverse communities. This book considers pressing questions and politics.  It pioneers a new pathway for developing transformative gender theory.

Some of the phenomenal artistry in the Gender Functions Gallery: