Queer Theory: An Overview

Hi Team,

Below is a quick overview of queer theory provided by Wikipedia (perhaps not the most trustworthy source, but a source nonetheless). I thought it might be helpful for us as we try to understand and make use of today's assigned readings, particularly the recent article by our very own Dr. Kris Renn. I've also included a description of queery theory (Abes & Kasch, 2007) provided in Dr. Renn's article. See you all this afternoon.

"Queer theory is a field of critical theory that emerged in the early 1990s out of the fields of gay and lesbian studies and feminist studies. It is a kind of interpreation devoted to queer reading of texts. Heavily influenced by the work of Michel Foucault, queery theory builds both upon feminist challenges to the idea that gender is part of the essential self and upon gay/lesbian studies' close examination of the socially constructed nature of sexual acts and identifies. Whereas gay/lesbian studies focused its inquiries into "natural" and unnatural" behavior with respect to homosexual behavior, queer theory expands its focus to encompass any kind of sexual activity or identity that falls into perverted, normative, and deviant categories."

Queer theory refers to a collection of theories that "critically analyzes the meaning of identity, focusing on intersections of identities and resisting oppressive social constructions of sexual orienation and gender" (Abes & Kasch, 2007, p. 620).

Chris