1.
Queer Theory: Problematizing the Category of Sex
a. Emerged from the rights movement for homosexuals in various
regions. – influenced from post-modernism
i. Gay Liberation Front – 1970 – Britain – AIDS contracted by gay
men in 1980s
ii. Italian Feminist – Teresa de Lauretis – coined term ‘queer
theory’ - 1990
iii. Emerged from gay/lesbian studies – 1980s
iv. Stonewall riots – 1996 – starting of queer right movements
b. Term “Queer” – ‘derogatory connotation’ – means ‘odd’ or
‘peculiar’ or ‘out of ordinary’ – whatever is at odds with the
normal, the legitimate, the dominant
c. “The term "queer theory" refers to a conceptual framework
that challenges the binary understanding of gender and
sexual orientation.”
i. Builds upon social constructionist approach to sexuality –
Gagnon and Simon + Judith Butler
d. Oppose classification of individuals on basis of X or Y
chromosomes – genotype to define sexes isn’t correct – may exist
as in Klinefelter Syndrome
e. Rejects all three things – gender, sex, and sexuality – destabilize all
2. Sexual Orientation:
a. The question posed is whether sexual orientation is socially
determined.
b. Essentialism vs. Social Constructionism:
i. Essentialists: Believe sexual preference is inherent and that
individuals are born with a predisposition toward a particular
orientation.
ii. Social Constructionists: Argue that sexual preferences are
socially constructed and influenced by various societal factors.
c. Feminist theory says sex is biological while gender is culturally
learned – Queers reject the distinction
i. All identities are social construction – male and female are just
products of representations like masculinity and femineity
3. Gayle Rubin – essay on ‘Thinking Sex’ – founding text – sexual
identities and behaviours are hierarchically organised through sys of
sexual stratification
4. Michel Foucault's Contribution: - French philosopher – grandfather
of Queer theory – ‘History of Sexuality’ – post- modernist
a. Foucault is noted as a key figure in understanding the
"constructed" nature of sexual orientation – sexual orientation is
socially chosen construct not natural
5. Judith Butler's Influence: - ‘Gender Trouble’ (1990)
a. Judith Butler's work is foundational in the field of queer theory,
emphasizing that both gender and sexual orientation are not fixed
but rather socially constructed.
b. Gender Fluidity - Butler critiques traditional views on gender and
sexuality, advocating for a more fluid understanding of these
concepts – changes with context rather than being fixed
c. Gender as what we do rather than who we are as people – Gender
Performativity
i. Performance itself creates gender – performativity - Our gender
identity is created through repeated performances and
representations of certain behaviors and appearances
ii. Gender Only come into being as people perform
iii. Gender as a verb than noun
d. Sex is a norm – deviant and normative behaviour are socially
constructed
e. The binary classification of gender (male and female) is
challenged, advocating for recognition of a spectrum of identities -
Queers take into account all marginalized sexual identities
f. Queer theory seeks to subvert traditional notions and
categorizations of gender and sexuality.
6. Features of Queer Theory
a. Identities aren’t fixed
b. No essential feature of a gender category
c. Biological sex also as socially constructed
d. Natural and deviant sexuality is socially constructed
e. Challenge to normative models of sex, gender, and sexuality –
male attract towards female or towards male – homosexuality
i. Accommodates ppl – agender, bigender, transgender, intersex,
hermaphrodites, gender fluid
f. Gender roles enforce heterosexuality – hegemonic heterosexuality
– rejects
g. Marginalization of deviant sexualities
7. Organizations
a. Queer Nation – 1990 – LGBTQ activist org in New York City
8. Examples from real-life
a. Brokeback Mountain – film – portraying homosexual actor – gay
theme
b. Male pregnancy – through uterus transplant
9. Criticism
a. Avoids or ignores the realities such as the natural process of
reproduction
b. Denies the reality of society – utopian
c. For most people, their sexual identity isn't fluid, it's constant.
d. Queer theory focuses on cultural texts (rather than real life) where
it is easier to find sexual or gender ambiguities.
e. By celebrating difference, queer politics makes the 'gay' or
'lesbian' identity all too important. Other identities such as
heterosexuality or asexuality are ignored.
