Transitions from Traditional Gender and Sexuality Roles to Non-Conforming Identities Through Performance Art: A Multiple Case Study

Authors

• Adrianne Trogden, University of the CumberlandsFollow
• Dorin Captari-ScirriFollow

Association Membership

YES

DOI

10.34296/07012025

Abstract

This qualitative multiple case study examined how two individuals from religiously conservative households navigated transitions from traditional gender and sexuality roles to non-conforming and queer identities through performance art. Using case study methodology, five interconnected themes emerged: Performing Gender - pressure to "act masculine," Performing Sexuality – pressure to "act straight," Performing Art - freedom of expression of gender and sexuality on stage, Shame and fear transformed when accepted sexuality, and Finding one's voice and identity - gender and sexuality. Stage performance art served as an underlying foundation, providing a transformative space for safely exploring previously constrained gender and sexual identities. Findings illuminate the role of creative embodiment in identity development and suggest important implications for counselors working with gender non-conforming individuals from conservative religious backgrounds. The study highlights performance art's potential as both a developmental catalyst and therapeutic tool for navigating identity conflicts between religious upbringing and authentic self-expression.

Recommended Citation

Trogden, A., & Captari-Scirri, D. (2026). Transitions from Traditional Gender and Sexuality Roles to Non-Conforming Identities Through Performance Art: A Multiple Case Study. Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education, 7 (1). https://doi.org/10.34296/07012025