"Queer theory is the perspective that questions the perception that cisgender and heterosexual identities are in any sense 'standard.'"
A critical perspective that challenges traditional assumptions and categories of sexuality and gender, and explores the fluidity, complexity, and diversity of human identity and desire.
Gender and Sexuality: This includes understanding the difference between gender identity, expression and sex, and the societal norms and expectations around them.
History of Homosexuality: Understanding the history of homosexuality and how it has been viewed and treated throughout history.
Heteronormativity: Examining the societal expectation that heterosexuality is the default and normal sexual orientation.
Intersectionality: Acknowledging the ways in which different identities (race, gender, sexuality, ability, class, etc.) intersect and impact experiences and oppression.
Queer Politics: Examining the social, cultural, and political movements of the LGBTQ+ community.
Queer Theory: Understanding the academic framework of queer theory which examines and critiques societal norms around gender and sexuality.
Sexual Identity: Understanding various orientations, such as asexuality, bisexuality, pansexuality, etc.
Transgender Studies: Examining the experiences and challenges faced by transgender individuals.
Queer History: Understanding the history of queer people and cultures.
Queer Culture: Examining the role of queer culture in shaping identity and society.
Queer Literature: Understanding how queer themes and experiences are represented in literature.
Queer Media Studies: Examining the representation of gender and sexuality in media and popular culture.
Queer Activism: Understanding how individuals and organizations work to promote LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.
Homophobia and Transphobia: Examining and deconstructing the societal attitudes and prejudices against LGBTQ+ people.
Homonationalism: Understanding how some LGBTQ+ people are used as political tools to promote nationalistic or xenophobic ideas.
Non-binary Gender Identities: Understanding gender identities that exist outside of the binary (male/female).
Queer Disability Studies: Examining the intersection of queerness and disability.
Queer Theology/Religion: Understanding how queerness intersects with different religious beliefs and practices.
Queer of Color Critique: Understanding the unique experiences and issues faced by LGBTQ+ people of color.
Queer Family Studies: Examining queer family structures, including adoption and same-sex parenting.
Gender performativity: This type of queer theory emphasizes the way gender is socially constructed and continuously performed.
Heteronormativity: This theory examines how societal norms privilege heterosexuality and marginalize non-heterosexual individuals.
Queer of color critique: This theory applies queer theory to people of color, showing how intersectional identities (race, gender, sexuality) shape individuals’ experiences.
Queer ecology: This theory explores how non-human entities, such as animals and nature, are influenced by and impact queer experiences.
Psychoanalysis: This type of queer theory explores the role of sexuality in the psyche.
Queer pedagogy: This theory examines how queer teachers and students bring their experiences and identities into the classroom and how this affects education systems.
Trans theory: This type of queer theory examines the experiences of trans individuals in relation to gender, sexuality, and identity.
Disability and Queer Studies: This theory pays attention to the intersection between disability and queer identities, exploring how ableism affects queer people.
Intersex theory: This type of queer theory examines how intersex individuals experience gender and sexuality.
Neoliberalism and Queer theory: This theory explores the ways in which neoliberalism has influenced queer experiences, including the limits of the market and LGBT rights.
Queer phenomenology: Focuses on how queer identities and experiences are influenced by embodiment and perception.
"It revisits such fields as literary analysis, philosophy, and politics with a 'queer' approach."
"Queer theory is a field of post-structuralist critical theory that emerged in the early 1990s."
"It emerged out of queer studies (often, formerly, gay and lesbian studies) and women's studies."
"The term 'queer theory' can have various meanings depending upon its usage."
"It has been broadly associated with the study and theorisation of gender and sexual practices that exist outside of heterosexuality."
"...which challenge the notion that heterosexual desire is 'normal'."
"Queer theorists are often critical of what they consider essentialist views of sexuality and gender."
"They study those concepts as social and cultural phenomena."
"They analyze the categories, binaries, and language in which they are said to be portrayed."
"...questions the perception that cisgender and heterosexual identities are in any sense 'standard'."
"It revisits such fields as literary analysis, philosophy, and politics with a 'queer' approach."
"It emerged out of queer studies (often, formerly, gay and lesbian studies) and women's studies."
"The term 'queer theory' can have various meanings depending upon its usage."
"...which challenge the notion that heterosexual desire is 'normal'."
"Queer theorists are often critical of what they consider essentialist views of sexuality and gender."
"They study those concepts as social and cultural phenomena."
"They analyze the categories, binaries, and language in which they are said to be portrayed."
"It questions the perception that cisgender and heterosexual identities are in any sense 'standard'."
"It revisits such fields as literary analysis, philosophy, and politics with a 'queer' approach."