The Queer God

Author

Rodney SimpsonFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-21-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Carla Velazquez

Abstract

This thesis explores the impact of dance/movement therapy practices on the embodied healing experience of Black queer and LGBTQIA++ - identified people to heal from religious and spiritual trauma. Currently, there is limited research dedicated to the understanding of Blackness, queerness, and spirituality and the unique perspective dance/movement offers in combatting oppressive systems of religious trauma. Research is needed that acknowledges and amplifies the ways Black queer people have adapted, survived, and thrived. This literature review provides a discussion of historical contexts at the intersections of Blackness, queerness, and spirituality to engender a remembering, reclaiming, and reimagining of Black queer divinity through embodied healing and dance/movement therapeutic practices. Common themes are summarized notating the impact and use of African spiritual practices toward developing dance/movement therapy theoretical frameworks which aid the healing process of Black queer people from the effects of white supremacy, oppression, and religious trauma.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Simpson, Rodney, "The Queer God" (2022). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 607.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/607