Queer Theory: An IntroductionAnnamarie Jagose knows that queer theory did not spring full-blown from the head of any contemporary theorist. It is the outcome of many different influences and sources, including the homophile movement, gay liberation, and lesbian feminism. In pointing to the history of queer theory--a history that all too often is ignored or elided--Jagose performs a valuable service. --Henry Abelove, co-editor of The Lesbian and Gay Studies ReaderThe political and academic appropriation of the term queer over the last several years has marked a shift in the study of sexuality from a focus on supposedly essential categories as gay and lesbian to more fluid or queer notions of sexual identity. Yet queer is a category still in the process of formation. In Queer Theory, Annamarie Jagose provides a clear and concise explanation of queer theory, tracing it as part of an intriguing history of same-sex love over the last century. Blending insights from prominent theorists such as Judith Butler and David Halperin, Jagose argues that queer theory's challenge is to create new ways of thinking, not only about fixed sexual identities such as heterosexual and homosexual, but also about other supposedly essential notions such as sexuality and gender and even man and woman. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
The Homophile Movement | 22 |
Lesbian Feminism | 44 |
Copyright | |
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activist AIDS Altman American argues argument assumed bian and gay bisexuality Butler claims constituted constructionist context critical critique cultural D'Emilio Daughters of Bilitis David Halperin debates denaturalising describes discourse dominant effect emphasis erotic essay ethnic model female formation Foucault gay and lesbian gay identity Gay Liberation Front gay liberationist gay politics gay studies gender and sexuality groups hetero heterosexuality historical homo homophile movement homophile organisations homophobic homosexuality ibid iden identificatory categories identified identity categories identity politics intervention Jeffreys Judith Butler Lauretis Lavender Menace lesbian and gay lesbian feminism lesbian feminist lesbian identity liberation and lesbian male homosexuality marginalised Mattachine Society mobilisation naturalised normative oppression performativity post-structuralist potential Queer Nation queer theory radical recent recognition relation represented resistance Sedgwick self-evident sense sex and gender sexual identities sexual orientation Sheila Jeffreys simply social specific Stonewall strategies structures term queer tion understandings understood woman Woman-Identified Woman women writes