Queer Theory

Queer theory can be seen as an extension of the critique of objective knowledge leveled by critical feminist theorists, gay and lesbian theorists, social constructionists, and postmodernists. Queer theory draws on multiple disciplines, including biology, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, psychology, and literary and cultural studies. Queer theorists most prominently critique essentialism, or the belief that categories (sexuality, gender, or other aspects of supposed reality) are fixed such that each member of a category possesses a set of identical characteristics that differentiate the member from other categories. Typically, although not exclusively, essentialism relies on binary dichotomies (male/female, woman/ [Page 573]man, or heterosexual/homosexual) and follows the conviction that categories reflect the essence of the properties of the objects in those categories. In contrast, queer theorists argue that categories tell more about the social and cultural context of those who do the categorizing than they do about reality. Queer theory, while most often applied to the study of sexualities, is also applicable to the study of people with disabilities, mental illnesses, or any other phenomenon that relies on normative standards to create an abstract ideal. In this way, queer theory questions the very existence of deviance and the legitimacy of social control. This entry introduces some of the main concepts used, gives examples of applications, and summarizes the contributions and critiques of queer theory.

Using the concept of performativity, queer theorists examine gender and sexuality as a locally (culturally and historically) specific “performance” rather than a universal category that exists outside of people making and doing gender. Proponents examine how different societies at different times create cultural beliefs and institutional practices that justify and legitimate the gender/sexual social order. Because there are a variety of beliefs and practices, there will necessarily be a variety of performances. Indeed, there are no behaviors or traits that have been associated with the category woman or man across all time and space. The very idea that there are only two genders and/or sexualities is not universal as evidenced by the Navajo “middle gender” and the Indian Hijra. The variety of gender performances cross-culturally and historically (and even across one individual's lifetime) shows that normative categories generally and gender and sexuality specifically are shifting and fluid. Therefore, rather than categories (gender/sexuality/ability) being natural, universal, essential, and static, they depend on performativity, the continued repetition of stylized bodily acts for coherence.

Queer theorists deconstruct “texts” to show that sexuality is not simply an individual's choice of performance but is deeply embedded in the social structure. Texts include not just the printed or spoken word (e.g., newspapers or song lyrics) but anything produced by social groups (e.g., laws, religious doctrine, political platforms, educational curriculum and policy, medical and psychiatric definitions, etc.). These texts define legitimate categories and impose sanctions on those who do not follow the normative order. Deconstructing involves examining the overt meanings as well as what is hinted at (the subtext).

For example, queer theorists argue that deconstructing texts promulgated by major institutions reveal a social order based on compulsory heterosexuality. That is, normative constraints privileging heterosexuality as the only appropriate sexual expression are embedded in social institutions/structure, and heterosexuality is the only form of sexual expression that is legitimated by the major institutions in society. For example, laws ban homosexuals from marriage, religious texts are used to promote homosexuality as evil, and schools are banned from discussing alternative sexualities. The assumption (subtext) is that heterosexuality is normal and universal and men and women are naturally attracted to each other.

...