Queer Theory: Difference between revisions
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{{Template:Ac}}Queer Theory is an established, but expanding field of critical theory, which has been named as a distinct discipline since the 1990s. [[Michel Foucault]]'s [[The History of Sexuality]] is often considered a foundational | {{Template:Ac}}Queer Theory is an established, but expanding field of critical theory, which has been named as a distinct discipline since the 1990s. [[Michel Foucault]]'s [[The History of Sexuality]] is often considered a foundational text for queer theory. While there are in fact a diverse variety of theoretical approaches to be found among queer theorists (including [[poststructuralism|poststructuralist]] thought, psychoanlaytic theory and gender theory) what these approaches tend to share is a recognition of the need to challenge essentialist understandings of, among others, "gender" and "sexual identity" - along with the dominant hegemonic practices ([[heteronormativity]]) that shore up such understandings. In the process, it is intended to free up a space in which entirely new trajectories can unfold. | ||
The term 'queer' is therefore employed not so much in the sense of dissident sexualities that might be named, but in the sense of a resistance to containment in such legible identity categories, as "a refusal of every substantialization of identity" ([[Lee Edelman]], ''[[No Future: Queer Theory and the Death Drive]]'' (Duke University Press, 2004)). | In 2019, [[Allyn Walker]] studied 'The Use of Queer-Spectrum Identity Labels Among [[Minor_Attracted_Person|Minor-Attracted People]]'.<ref>Walker, A. (2019). [https://sci-hub.hkvisa.net/10.1080/00918369.2019.1613856 “I’m Not like That, So Am I Gay?” The Use of Queer-Spectrum Identity Labels Among Minor-Attracted People], in ''Journal of Homosexuality'', 67:12, pp. 1736-1759.</ref> Examining minor-attraction in relation to queer theory and sexual minority politics, they quote David Halperin's 1995 definition: “Queer is by definition ''whatever'' is at odds with the normal, the legitimate, the dominant. ''There is nothing in particular to which it necessarily refers''." (''Ibid'', p. 5. Italics in original). Walker also noted the [[Historical_examples_of_LGBT-MAP_unity|history of association between MAPs and other queer communities]]<ref>''While MAPs often struggle to disclose their attractions to friends and family, LGBT individuals and other queer communities continue to have these struggles as well. Even with this and other commonalities, however, MAPs are not generally accepted by queer communities. This was not always the case. Multiple researchers have explored ties between gay rights organizations and MAPs lasting from the 1960s and declining until, in some cases, the early 1990s (Chenier, 2008; Janssen, 2017; Paternotte, 2014; Thorstad, 1991). Thorstad (1991) quoted a 1969 article in a gay newspaper as saying, “‘Off the consenting adults bullshit!’” (p. 251). He added, “the Stonewall Generation [...] affirmed the joys of an outlaw sexuality in the face of the outmoded moral norms of the dominant society,” (p. 252), showing acceptance of individuals with attractions to minors.'' (p. 4).</ref> | ||
The term 'queer', is therefore employed not so much in the sense of dissident sexualities that might be named, but in the sense of a resistance to containment in such legible identity categories, as "a refusal of every substantialization of identity" ([[Lee Edelman]], ''[[No Future: Queer Theory and the Death Drive]]'' (Duke University Press, 2004)). | |||
A number of queer theorists are playing an important role in re-conceptualizing 'childhood sexualities', and more particularly with a goal of 'queering the child'. As in much queer theory, the term 'queer' is used here precisely for its indefiniteness. The figure of the queer child could be viewed as "that which doesn't quite confirm to the wished-for way that children are supposed to be in terms of gender and sexual roles. In other circumstances, it is also the child who displays interest in sex generally, the same-sex erotic attachments or in cross-generational attachments." Academics theorizing the queer child aim to "tease out the range of possibilities that exist for child sexuality", while looking to "the dominant heteronarrative to see how normalizing language itself both produces and resists queer stories of childhood sexual desire."<ref> all quotes from: Bruhm & Hurley (eds), ''Curiouser'' (University of Minnesota Press, 2004)</ref> | A number of queer theorists are playing an important role in re-conceptualizing 'childhood sexualities', and more particularly with a goal of 'queering the child'. As in much queer theory, the term 'queer' is used here precisely for its indefiniteness. The figure of the queer child could be viewed as "that which doesn't quite confirm to the wished-for way that children are supposed to be in terms of gender and sexual roles. In other circumstances, it is also the child who displays interest in sex generally, the same-sex erotic attachments or in cross-generational attachments." Academics theorizing the queer child aim to "tease out the range of possibilities that exist for child sexuality", while looking to "the dominant heteronarrative to see how normalizing language itself both produces and resists queer stories of childhood sexual desire."<ref> all quotes from: Bruhm & Hurley (eds), ''Curiouser'' (University of Minnesota Press, 2004)</ref> | ||
Latest revision as of 04:32, 2 December 2023
Queer Theory is an established, but expanding field of critical theory, which has been named as a distinct discipline since the 1990s. Michel Foucault's The History of Sexuality is often considered a foundational text for queer theory. While there are in fact a diverse variety of theoretical approaches to be found among queer theorists (including poststructuralist thought, psychoanlaytic theory and gender theory) what these approaches tend to share is a recognition of the need to challenge essentialist understandings of, among others, "gender" and "sexual identity" - along with the dominant hegemonic practices (heteronormativity) that shore up such understandings. In the process, it is intended to free up a space in which entirely new trajectories can unfold.
In 2019, Allyn Walker studied 'The Use of Queer-Spectrum Identity Labels Among Minor-Attracted People'.[1] Examining minor-attraction in relation to queer theory and sexual minority politics, they quote David Halperin's 1995 definition: “Queer is by definition whatever is at odds with the normal, the legitimate, the dominant. There is nothing in particular to which it necessarily refers." (Ibid, p. 5. Italics in original). Walker also noted the history of association between MAPs and other queer communities[2]
The term 'queer', is therefore employed not so much in the sense of dissident sexualities that might be named, but in the sense of a resistance to containment in such legible identity categories, as "a refusal of every substantialization of identity" (Lee Edelman, No Future: Queer Theory and the Death Drive (Duke University Press, 2004)).
A number of queer theorists are playing an important role in re-conceptualizing 'childhood sexualities', and more particularly with a goal of 'queering the child'. As in much queer theory, the term 'queer' is used here precisely for its indefiniteness. The figure of the queer child could be viewed as "that which doesn't quite confirm to the wished-for way that children are supposed to be in terms of gender and sexual roles. In other circumstances, it is also the child who displays interest in sex generally, the same-sex erotic attachments or in cross-generational attachments." Academics theorizing the queer child aim to "tease out the range of possibilities that exist for child sexuality", while looking to "the dominant heteronarrative to see how normalizing language itself both produces and resists queer stories of childhood sexual desire."[3]
Queer theorists are of crucial importance, since their challenge to developmental models of childhood, along with (more broadly), their opposition to biological, medical and psychological reductionism, not only creates possibilities for new narratives, but unsettles all entrenched presumptions relating to childhood, sexual desire and cross-generational intimacies.
Figureheads
Key thinkers (and early influencers) of what has fallen under the general umbrella term, 'queer theory', include:
- Gayle Rubin
- Guy Hocquenghem
- Michel Foucault
- Judith Butler
- Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick
- Jonathan Dollimore (see his positive testimony)
- Leo Bersani
- James Kincaid
- Lee Edelman
- Kathryn Bond Stockton
- David Halperin
References
- ↑ Walker, A. (2019). “I’m Not like That, So Am I Gay?” The Use of Queer-Spectrum Identity Labels Among Minor-Attracted People, in Journal of Homosexuality, 67:12, pp. 1736-1759.
- ↑ While MAPs often struggle to disclose their attractions to friends and family, LGBT individuals and other queer communities continue to have these struggles as well. Even with this and other commonalities, however, MAPs are not generally accepted by queer communities. This was not always the case. Multiple researchers have explored ties between gay rights organizations and MAPs lasting from the 1960s and declining until, in some cases, the early 1990s (Chenier, 2008; Janssen, 2017; Paternotte, 2014; Thorstad, 1991). Thorstad (1991) quoted a 1969 article in a gay newspaper as saying, “‘Off the consenting adults bullshit!’” (p. 251). He added, “the Stonewall Generation [...] affirmed the joys of an outlaw sexuality in the face of the outmoded moral norms of the dominant society,” (p. 252), showing acceptance of individuals with attractions to minors. (p. 4).
- ↑ all quotes from: Bruhm & Hurley (eds), Curiouser (University of Minnesota Press, 2004)