Queer Theory

Definition:
 Critical theory emerged in 1990s
 In this theory the word ‘queer’ is not necessarily a synonym for ‘gay’ but
rather a position that rejects conventions or mainstream expressions of all
types of behaviour including sexuality and gender.
 Queer Theory rejects conventional or mainstream behaviour, including
sexual identity, but also a range of identities including race, disability and
gender.
 It rejects the essentialist nature of theories of identity based on binary
oppositions like male/female, gay/straight and argues there is another
space outside which is ‘queer‘
 It explores and challenges the way in which heterosexuality is constructed
as normal and the way in which the media has limited the representations
of gay men and women.
 Suggests sexual identity is more fluid
 Queer theory holds that individual sexuality is a fluid, fragmented, and
dynamic collectivity of possible sexualities and it may vary at different
points during one's life (Keyword: Fluidity) Theorists believe that identities
are not fixed – they are fluid and changing, not only for different people but
within the same person at different times.
 Gay/lesbian studies focused its inquiries into natural and unnatural
behavior with respect to homosexual behavior, whereas queer theory
expands its focus to encompass any kind of sexual activity or identity that
falls into normative and deviant categories
The ‘Queer Space’
Theorists argue that people do not simply categorize themselves in this way
(binary – male/female; gay/lesbian) – representations don’t conform to either
side of these divides – instead there is another spec outside of these oppositions
and it is this space which is ‘queer’

Additional info:
Origin- is hard to clearly define, since it came from multiple critical and cultural
contexts, including feminism, post-structuralist theory, radical movements of
people of color, the gay and lesbian movements, AIDS activism, many sexual
subcultural practices such as sadomasochism, and postcolonialism.
Key concept- One of the key concepts in queer theory is the idea of
“heteronormativity,” which pertains to “the institutions, structures of
understanding, and practical orientations that make heterosexuality seem not
only coherent—that is, organized as a sexuality—butalso privileged” (Berlant).
Heteronormativity- is a form of power and control that applies pressure to both
straight and gay individuals, through institutional arrangements and accepted
social norms.
Implications of Queer Theory- Analyzing with a queer perspective has the
potential to undermine the base structure on which any identity relies on
(although it does this without completely destroying or forsaking categories of
identity), the theory has been understood to be just about questions of sexuality.
This perception that queer theory is solely about sexuality has been opposed by
having an intersectional approach that starts off with the hypothesis that
sexuality cannot be disconnected from the other categories of social status and
identity. This allows queer theory to become interdisciplinary and thus create
new ways of thinking in how sexuality shapes and is shaped by other factors.
Judith Butler
 One of the foremost theorists in Queer Theory
 Suggests gender is not the result of nature, but
is socially constructed.
 Male and female behaviour roles are not the
result of biology but are constructed and
reinforced by society through media and
culture.
 She argues that there are a number of
exaggerated representations of masculinity and
femininity (which causes GENDER TROUBLE -
Any behaviour or representation that disrupts
culturally accepted notions of gender) (isama na
 dito BL series grabe lang, over na, lalo na yung kay buknoy HAHAHAHAHA)
(pwede rin ang Gender Stereotyping dito)
 Butler explains, ‘there is no reason to divide up human bodies into male
and female sexes except that such a division suits the economic needs
of heterosexuality and lends a naturalistic gloss to the institution of
heterosexuality’.
Usage of Queer Theory:
(1) methodology for literary analysis - textual interpretations which are
presented from a queer perspective.
- suggests there are different ways of interpreting contemporary media
texts
(2) A productive practice of theory - produce ideas which relate to how
queerness can be understood in various disciplinary contexts.
Concerns addressed by Queer Theory
 Exclusion/Omission
 Stereotypes
 Mainstreaming of Queer Culture
Gender Stereotypes in Popular Culture
Tv, ads, music, movies, etc.
Queer Theory in Contemporary Texts, Examples, and Influences:
- Applied in texts where heterosexuality is dominant
- May include the Dacera case (allegedly raped, but the real cause of
death is natural. People insists that they are still “men” so there’s a
possibility that they can do that, but they just don’t understand
[masculinity, feminism]) ****tama ba? Hahah
Feminism
Wonder Woman
Usually, men are the ones who fight in movies, but in
this feminist movie “wonder woman” which is a girl
superhero that stands and fight for her countrymen also to
save and protect the people around her.

Heterosexual
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
It is a sweet story about a young woman who writes secret
letters to her crushes, that are exposed and wreak havoc on
her life.