Queer Music Therapy

Queer Music Therapy

by Mercedes Shook, Music Therapy Intern

In a time when the LGBTQIA+ communities are at their most vulnerable, the responsibility of advocacy and inclusion demands professionals to examine how we can support our clients and communities both in the session space and out.

As I sat with myself, I began to wonder: “How do I move past simply ‘holding space,’ to tangible actions I can implement in sessions and my communities. What is my responsibility as a music therapist to be an advocate for social change? What does my own identity as a Queer music therapist mean?” These questions seemed to wash over me like a growing tide, pulling me under a current dazed and out of breath. Deciding that I needed to do more, I began searching for resources that would help me navigate this tide. As I continued to learn more about Queer Theory, Black Queer Theory, and the history of Queer folx in music therapy, I had suddenly found myself falling down a rich and storied rabbit hole.

Queer and LGBTQIA+ folx have been entwined with music therapy history since its inception. During the HIV/AIDs pandemic in the late 1980’s-90’s, music therapists began working with gay men living with HIV/AIDs and publishing case studies on their clinical experiences (Lee et al., 2024). Building upon this literature, Kristen Chase published the first article in 2004 with practice recommendations for therapists working with Gay and Lesbian clients (Lee et al., 2024).

It was not until 2016 when a theoretical model for Queer Music Therapy was conceived (Lee et al., 2024). Music therapists of color and Black Queer folx at this time also formed the Black Music Therapy Network, where advocates and clinicians of color began constructing spaces that challenged anti-LGBTQIA+ movements and its inherent white-supremist rhetoric (Lee, et al., 2024). Since then, scholars and organizations like the Black Music Therapy Network have continued to develop these ideas in academic, clinical, and advocacy spaces, laying the foundation for an inclusive theory and praxis with Queer folx and communities (Lee et al., 2024). 

Queer Music Therapy (QMT) is a radically inclusive approach that centers the identities, needs, and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals to affirm and empower through music (Bain et al., 2016). Drawing on models like Intersectionality, Black Queer Theory, and Queer Musicology, QMT challenges “fixed identity” and decenters heteronormativity and whiteness through musical experiences (Boggan et al., 2017).

Key tenets of Queer Music Therapy

1) combat heteronormativity by emphasizing the complexity and fluidity of sexual orientation

2) support expression of unique personal and social conflicts due to oppression

3) empower queer individuals to find strength in differences by freely expressing and performing their gender and sexual identity

4) positively impact interpersonal relationships to counteract negative social pressures

5) emphasize common cause rather than commonality of identity.

From Bain et al., 2016, Toward a queer music therapy: The implications of queer theory for radically inclusive music therapy.

QMT was the first model to assert that true anti-oppressive practice does more than superficially inviting Queer folx to exist within preexisting heteronormative therapeutic framework, and, that societal power imbalances and personal struggles are inextricably connected (Boggan et al., 2017). “Queered” Music interventions decenter heteronormativity by changing musical language to empower identity-fluidity, using music as a tool of self-expression, talking critically about queer music, and affirming identity (Bain et al., 2016).

Queer Music Therapy Interventions

Musical autobiography

Playlist creation for past, present, and future followed by listening and discussion; focused on affirming and exploring sexual-orientation/gender-identity. Used to understand music preferences, identity-fluidity, experiences of discrimination or prejudice, coping skills, and promotes empowerment to resist heteronormativity instead of reinforcing.

Gender-bent song parodies or performance

Rewrite song lyrics based on relevant therapeutic themes; incorporation of gender subversion and lyrics exploring identity. Used to promote autonomy, gender/sexual orientation empowerment, opportunities for acts of resistance, and self-expression in an affirming space.

Music and creative arts

Music Therapist plays music exploring identity while client uses art materials to create referential art piece; music guides client through various reflections on past, present, future, identity, and lived experiences. Used to reflect on identity or society, promote autonomy, and construct personal meanings.

Critical lyrics analysis

Music therapist facilitates dialogue with client using song lyrics to examine therapeutic themes, gender-identity or sexual orientation, and experiences of oppression or discrimination; product-orientated and can be followed up with rewrites guided by their own identity and experiences. Used to explore self-expression, affirm identity, build rapport, and combat heteronormativity. 

Group anthem writing

Group and Music Therapist work together to create a song reflecting group identity or experience as Queer folx; can be performed at beginning or end of sessions, process and product orientated. Used to explore group identity and cohesion by emphasizing differences and similarities among members, decreases isolation and promotes identity-centered community.

But why does incorporating QMT even matter? Well, QMT emphasizes opportunities for empowerment as opposed to “fixing” LGBTQIA+ individuals or forcing them to adapt to a prejudicial society, both values in heteronormative and racist therapy models. Moreover, it helps us to understand the intersecting identities of our clients (Boggan et al., 2017).

“Rather than promoting adjustment to a dysfunctional culture, the theoretical orientation of these interventions encourages LGBTQ youth in particular to overpower oppression and discrimination.” (Bain et al., 2016)

As Music Therapists, we have a responsibility to be agents of change by educating and understanding systemic issues of power and control related to sexual and gender minorities. (Boggan et al., 2017). QMT provides us with the tools to critique heteronormative and racist systems by using tangible anti-oppressive action-steps in the session space and within our communities.

This is just the beginning of my journey in Queer Music Therapy, but as a Queer therapist working with Queer folx these resources have empowered me to integrate anti-oppressive interventions and theories in my practice. Radical resistance demands continued growth and reflection, and I will continue learning from the rich tapestry and lived experiences of Queer folx, folx of color, and Queer music therapists. In an era where systems are leveraged against marginalized identities, isolating people from community, and instilling fear for LGBTQIA+ people, I will continue to radically resist with hope and community as both a music therapist, and a Queer person.

References

Bain, C. L., Grzanka, P. R., & Crowe, B. J. (2016). Toward a queer music therapy: The Implications of Queer Theory for radically inclusive music therapy. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 50, 22–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2016.03.004  

Boggan, C. E., Grzanka, P. R., & Bain, C. L. (2017). Perspectives on Queer Music therapy: A qualitative analysis of music therapists’ reactions to radically inclusive practice. Journal of Music Therapy, 54(4), 375–404. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/thx016  

Lee, C. A., Slaughter, K., & Thomas, N. (2024). Prelude: Creating queer and trans music therapy spaces. In The Oxford Handbook of Queer and Trans Music Therapy (pp. 6–22). essay, Oxford University Press.