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Queer theory started it’s emergence in the mid-1990′s. It was born out of the fields of study of LGBT and feminism. It is a critical theory used in the critiquing of literary texts. Like feminism, queer theory challenges the notion that gender is part of the essential self. It also challenges the socially constructed definitions of sexual acts and identities. Teresa de Lauretis is credited with coining the term ‘queer theory’.
Many queer theorists set out to deconstruct via literary discourse issues pertaining to gender and sexuality. The prominent queer theorist is Michael Warner. Other prominent queer theorists include Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, Judith Butler, Adrienne Rich and Diana Fuss.
The main position of queer theory is that identities are not fixed, but are fluid. Gender and sexual identity are not easily categorized because they are made of of many varying components. Queer theory basically challenges many labels that are put upon people in society, whatever the persons sexuality may be.
Debates continue amongst queer theorist as to whether or not sexual orientation is a natural and essential part of humans, or if it is a social construct, and therefore subject to change. For example, over time the term ‘homosexuality’ has evolved in meaning. This is due to the changing nature in the cultural discourse. What was once a term for something illegal is not the term for a sexuality.
Queer theory has allowed the interpretation of written text from a deconstructive perspective. It challenges the societal norms relating to gender and sexuality and will continue to do so, even through the natural evolution of the literary culture.
