Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Date

2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

Sara Bridges

Committee Member

Alison Happel

Committee Member

Apryl Alexander

Committee Member

Madeline Brodt

Abstract

Much of sexology (i.e., sex science) employs a non-inclusive, sex-negative and anti-Black perspective. Most research about Black sexuality, specifically Black women’s sexuality, is rooted in negativity, promiscuity, shame, and the erasure of pleasure. To undo such a narrow, harmful, and dehumanizing view of Black women’s sexuality, this qualitative study employed an intersectional, pleasure-focused, and sex-positive framework to explore how Endarkened (Black) women’s sexual pleasure is a healing and liberatory practice. This study also delved into Endarkened women’s femininity/feminine expression to understand how Black femininity functions as a form of feminine resistance by not existing within patriarchal femininity. Guided by Lorde’s erotic, this study intentionally sought to awaken the notion that Endarkened women’s sexual pleasure is a nuanced embodied experience reflecting their uninhibited desires, creativity, and playfulness. Grounded in #HotGirlScience, Pleasure activism, and Critical Femininities, it examined how Endarkened women’s femininity/feminine expression and sexual pleasure during partnered sex are acts of resistance and political strategy. Using the decolonial methodology Endarkened Storywork, the study honored the narrative tradition of oral storytelling. Specifically, storytelling sessions (as opposed to interviews) were used to elucidate Endarkened women’s distinct ways of knowing and being through story. Following this disruption to white-centric research methods, Black quilting and arts-based research allowed for the creative representation of the individual and collective experiences of Endarkened women as feminine, sexual beings during partnered sex. The key contributions of the study assert that Endarkened women experience sexual pleasure as a sensual, holistic practice, including the mind, body, and spirit, which requires a deeply intimate, trusting connection with their partner. Sexual pleasure is less about sexual acts and more about the connection with their partner and with themselves, allowing for vulnerability, play, spirituality, and freedom. Further, Endarkened women evoke femininity/feminine expression as a source of power through softness, authenticity, confidence, and self-love. The findings illustrate that Endarkened women’s femininity/feminine expression and sexual pleasure during partnered sex are radical acts of resistance while navigating an anti-Black, patriarchal, anti-erotic world. Keywords: Endarkened women, Black women, Endarkened Storywork, femininity, sexual pleasure, storytelling, arts-based research, Pleasure Activism, Black feminism, Eroticism, Embodiment, #HotGirlScience, Pleasure activism, Critical Femininities

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest/Clarivate.

Notes

Open Access

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