Abstract

This research project addresses oppressive societal expectations placed on LGBTQ communities to conform to the dominant heteronormative society, which constrains LGBTQ individuals to a singular story. It also presents the art therapist’s multiple interconnected identities and her active role in challenging the concept of "the single story" (Adichie, 2009) for both LGBTQ participants, art therapists, and herself. The paper uses a feminist heuristic framework to address the questions: How do I understand my role as a non-LGBTQ artist-art therapist-activist when working with people from LGBTQ communities? Further, how can the artist-art therapist-activist paradigm support my future work with LGBTQ communities? Results include a deeper awareness of my obligations and role as an ethical art therapist, a recognition of the overlaps between the roles of art therapist and activist, further knowledge about the impacts of heteronormative and homophobic oppression, and the increase of my own multicultural competencies when working with members from LGBTQ communities.
Keywords: artist, art-therapist, activist, LGBTQ, societal oppression