https://doi.org/10.1177/1044389419889710 Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services 1–13 © The Author(s) 2020 Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions DOI: 10.1177/1044389419889710 journals.sagepub.com/home/fis Article Introduction Scholars have increasingly recognized the importance of gender and sexual identity explo- ration (GSIE) as an expected area of growth for adolescents and adults. GSIE is associated with higher levels of well-being and psychosocial adjustment (Parent et al., 2015; Witten, 2003; Yunger et al., 2004; Zoesterman & Wright, 2014). As a result, practitioners are increasingly seeking ways to foster an affirming approach to GSIE for the people with whom they work (American Psychological Association [APA], 2015; Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, 2016; Lytle et al., 2014; Riggle et al., 2008, 2011; Rostosky et al., 2010). Exploration is one core mechanism through which individu- als discover their gender and sexual identities (Galupo et al., 2014). Research suggests that 889710FIS XX X 10.1177/1044389419889710Families in SocietyChristensen et al. research-article 2020 1 PhD, associate professor, The University of Texas at San Antonio; research affiliate, Center for Positive Sexuality, Los Angeles 2 PhD, associate professor, California State University, Northridge; research affiliate, Center for Positive Sexuality, Los Angeles 3 PhD, staff psychologist, University Counseling Center, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City Corresponding Author: M. Candace Christensen, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 501 W. César Chavez Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78201, USA. Email: candace.christensen@utsa.edu Photovoice as a Multilevel Tool for Gender and Sexual Identity Exploration M. Candace Christensen 1 , Moshoula Capous-Desyllas 2 , and Alexis V. Arczynski 3 Abstract Gender and sexual identity exploration (GSIE) consists of engaging in activities that allow an individual to discover their values, preferences, and boundaries related to gender and sexuality. Photovoice is a participatory research method that incorporates an intrapersonal, interpersonal, communal, and political approach to engaging with a given topic. The purpose of this article is to use existing research to illustrate how using photovoice method for GSIE does involve individuals in exploring gender and sexual identity from multiple levels of social interaction (micro, mezzo, and macro). This approach to GSIE fosters a dynamic, de-stigmatizing, and advocacy-oriented engagement with GSIE. We use examples from photovoice studies to illustrate how photovoice method uses a multilevel approach to GSIE and the positive implications of this practice. The article ends with practice and research recommendations for employing photovoice to support GSIE. Keywords photovoice, sexual identity, gender identity, participatory research, multilevel practice Manuscript received: May 5, 2019; Revised: September 22, 2019; Accepted: October 12, 2019 Disposition editor: Sondra J. Fogel