Outspoken: The Lifeworld of Queer Women and Non-Binary Spoken Word Poets
Date
2022-12-23
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
0000-0001-9195-1212
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Doctoral
Abstract
Spoken word and slam poetry have been said to encompass space for all marginalized and oppressed groups and, as such, are important for grassroots poetic activity. However, research on spoken word poets and their communities is limited. In this doctoral research, I employed a critical phenomenological approach in order to meaningfully grasp the ways in which queer voices seek recognition and empowerment through spoken word poetry. To do so, I reflexively probed the lifeworld of queer women and non-binary spoken word poets. Theoretical thematic analysis of 20 one-on-one semi-structured interviews was organized into one overarching theme, three themes, and nine subthemes. Overall, participants of this research used their art form to boldly communicate a queer sexual orientation and/or a gender identity that deviates from the norm; and as such, participated in Outspoken (Overarching Theme 1) existence. For example, spoken word afforded interviewees the opportunity to: confidence build; counter invisibilities; and, tackle homo- and transnegativity. Both queer-identified poets and Outspoken expression were common among spoken word spaces. Probing deeper into these queer ‘convergences’ (Subtheme 1), the ‘rhetoric’ (Subtheme 2) stemming from participants’ accounts revealed that of a ‘queer counter-public’ (Theme 1). While this counter-public was crucial in fostering Outspoken expression, poets also faced particular ‘quandaries’ (Subtheme 3) by virtue of their participation in these subaltern spaces. Relatedly, the ‘queer omnipresence’ (Theme 2) poets experienced at spoken word was significant, as they advantageously used spoken word for queer ‘explorations’ (Subtheme 4) and to detail their unique experiences with queer ‘liminalities’ (Subtheme 5). However, abundant Outspoken expression could also lead to undesirable effects or ‘constraints’ (Subtheme 6). Finally, the social and psychological implications of writing and performing emotionally charged and painful Outspoken expression are explored in ‘queer affliction’ (Theme 3). Many poets aligned Outspoken performances with the familiar concept of ‘catharsis’ (Subtheme 7), but these healing aspects were not uniformly celebrated. The frequency of ‘trauma sharing’ (Subtheme 8) at slam and spoken word was troubled by many interviewees, as was the ‘painfotainment’ (Subtheme 9) value of ‘dangerous’ Outspoken expressions. This theoretical analysis of experience-rich data can be used to improve upon the ways we document, understand, and support gender and sexually diverse beings and their subcultural activity.
Description
Keywords
queer, spoken word poetry, slam poetry, LGBTQ+, critical phenomenology, qualitative research
Citation
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Department
Psychology
Program
Culture and Human Development