Reframing intervention and inclusion: The importance of exploring gender and sexuality in music therapy with all young people

Abstract

This chapter reflects upon dominant gender and sexuality norms, and ways of navigating these in music-based contexts without positioning marginalized groups as inherently vulnerable. Queer theorists dedicated to transforming endemic gendered violence emphasize the importance of examining the effects of normativity to which we are all subjected, and the significant potential of creativity and collaboration. This chapter establishes a theoretical grounding as to why exploring gender and sexuality is relevant for all young people, and how addressing systems of normativity can be considered a relevant ‘intervention’ within music therapy. Using illustrative case vignettes and drawing on existing critical frameworks, the chapter offers suggestions as to how practitioners may better confront their own beliefs, think politically about assessment, work towards safe(r) spaces, and support young people’s gender-based activism through music.