Queer Theory and Trans People

Since the 1980s, theorists in the fields of sociology, gender studies, philosophy, and sexology have radically transformed theoretical perspectives on transness, gender transition, and the concept of gender more broadly. Many of these theorists have been grouped into a field often referred to as queer theory (QT). QT has provided a set of tools and frameworks that hold the potential for more in-depth and nuanced [Page 675]understandings of the ways transness interacts with societal norms, interpersonal relationships, and the human body itself. This entry explores the leading queer theory perspectives on the lived experiences of trans people, including embodiment, liminality, performativity, and failure. The limits of QT are also considered.