Outspoken: The Lifeworld of Queer Women and Non-Binary Spoken Word Poets

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

“I want to feel like a full man”: Conceptualizing Gay, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Men’s Sexual Difficulties

Current understandings of sexual difficulties originate from a model which is based on the study of heterosexual men and women. Most research has focused on sexual difficulties experienced by heterosexual men incapable of engaging in vaginal penetration. To better understand men’s perceptions and experiences of sexual difficulties, seven focus groups and 29 individual interviews were conducted with gay (n = 22), bisexual (n = 5), and heterosexual (n = 25) men. Additionally, the extent to which difficulties reported by gay and bisexual men differ from heterosexual men was explored. Data were analysed using thematic analysis applying an inductive approach. Two intercorrelated conceptualisations were identified: penis function (themes: medicalization, masculine identity, psychological consequences, and coping mechanisms) and pain (themes: penile pain and pain during receptive anal sex). For the most part, gay, bisexual, and heterosexual men reported similar sexual difficulties; differences were evident regarding alternative masculinity, penis size competition, and pain during receptive anal sex. The results of this study demonstrate the complexity of men’s sexual difficulties and the important role of sociocultural, interpersonal, and psychological factors. Limitations and suggested directions for future research are outlined