Judith Butler has a problem with identifying as a lesbian theorist because she claims identity categories are tools of an oppressive system. She opposes essentialism in relation to sexuality and believes in complexities and pluralities. There is no correct way of being gay according to Butler. Additionally, homosexual identity categories cannot be stable and if they do become stable they will not appeal to her because she is attracted to instability. She states,
I’m permanently troubled by identity categories, consider them to be invariable stumbling-blocks, and understand them, even promote them, as sites of necessary trouble. In fact, if the category were to offer no trouble, it would cease to be interesting to me: it is precisely the pleasure
I’m permanently troubled by identity categories, consider them to be invariable stumbling-blocks, and understand them, even promote them, as sites of necessary trouble. In fact, if the category were to offer no trouble, it would cease to be interesting to me: it is precisely the pleasure