Before reading PUNKS, BULLDAGGERS, and WELFARE QUEENS, I didn't know what queer theory or queer politics was. The information and history presented in the reading was brand new and truly eye opening. Even within my studies in (and around) Women's Studies the term "heteronormativity" seemed new. From the word, alone, I was able to get a general definition. However, I appreciate the explanation of what "heteronormativity" means to the author. (Defines it as practices and insitutuions which legitimize and privledge heterosexuality and heterosexual relationships as fundamental and "natural" within society.) It was interesting to learn about non-violent movements within the queer civil rights movement. I had never heard of, but was not surprised to read about, "kiss-ins" at malls and straight dance clubs or "I Hate Straights" Publications.
I was also interested in the fact that "queer" somehow encompasses gay, lesbian, transgender/sexuals, and more... On page 452 the author says "There are straight queers, bi queers, tranny queers, lez queers, fag queers, SM queers, fisting queers in every single street in this apathetic country". I am not sure what SM queers or fisting queers are. Maybe I will go look it up. I have never heard anyone identify as a "queer" but maybe because they do not know the history.
I was able to relate to this reading when the author addresses Black feminism and interlocking forms of oppression as they relate to women of color. The famous Combahee River Collective's idea that "As Black women we see Black Feminism as the logical politcal movement to combat the manifold and simultaneous oppressions that all women of color face" (443). However, I was confused by the statements about thinking about "left analysis and left politics"... Can someone explain what they mean by "left"? Is it related to left as in conservative or liberal? It was used many more times during the reading and I have my own definition in my head that may be very wrong.
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I have never heard a person of the LGBT community identify as being "queer." In fact, it is quite derogatory. I always thought of it as being an offensive term. It was a bit mind boggling to me that effort to create a gender equal society would be called "Queer Theory." The efforts and activism counteract the name, but I am still confused. Perhaps, it is just a play on words. Heteronomativity. Yes, this word was interesting to me too, in that I had never really heard it used either, but I instantly knew what it meant. Do you think that the experiences between gays and blacks are the same? If so, how? I asked myself this because as I read, I identified some paralells. Both are met with intersections that structure their experiences in society. Both are demoted to unlikely social position and are constantly trying to find their way back to the top. Both are deemed as "deviant" and placed in the category of "otherness." Do you see any parallells?
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