Queer Theory
Overview
Queer readings of texts
Theorisation of ¨queerness¨
Differences between queery theory and gay/lesbian studies
Queer theory expands focus past homosexuality and includes analysis of all sexual acts
Gay, lesbian and bisexual subjects
Theory of cross-dressing
Intersex bodies/identities
Gender ambiguity
Theory of gender-corrective surgery
Deconstruction of social norms/taxonomies
How did these norms/tasxonomies come into being?
Why did these norms/taxonomies come into being?
Relationship between power and identity
Manifestations of oppression and privilege
A framework for discussing issues related to sexuality and gender
Core Concepts
Sexual acts/identities are socially constructed
Focuses on mismatches between sex, gender, and desire
Sexual/gender identities are unstable, not singular
Heteronormativity - normalizing practices/institutions that privilege heterosexuality and discriminates against those outside of this network of power
Role of Biology
Language
Arguments for latest queer terminology
Arguments against latest queer terminology
Racism
Criticism
History
Began in 1990s
Emerged from queer/women´s studies
1970s - Deconstructionist begin to apply theory to matters of sexual identity
Identity Politics
HIV/AIDs
Media
Feminism
Challenges to idea that gender is part of one´s essential self
Personalities
Lauren Berlant
Leo Bersani
Judith Butler
Lee Edelman
Jack Halberstam
Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick
Teresa de Lauretis
Coined term ¨queer theory¨
Michel Foucault
Adrien Rich
Dianna Fuss
Annamarie Jagose
Author - Queer Theory: An Introduction (1996)