Argumentative Essay On Queer

Queer is a term with an ever changing meaning, varying upon the interpretations of different individuals throughout different time periods. In the present day, “Queer” is most commonly used as an identity such as in the acronym LGBTQ; however, when the definition of queer is examined in depth, many conflicts and issues about identities and the society would arise. In order to find out what “Queer” really means, the origin of the term, the usage of the term, and the contradictions of the term must be examined. Although the exact root of the term “queer” remains unclear, what is known is that “queer” was often used to describe strangeness in a negative sense (Somerville 2), hence the fact that “queer” was used as a derogatory term towards anyone …show more content…
Some may see it as an act of rebellion, while some find the term contradictory. For example, Michael Warner, in his criticization of Queer Politics from “Fear of a Queer Planet,” states his belief that the identification as “queer” is a political act of rebellion against normalcy and heteronormativity, that the preference of “queer” over “gay” or “lesbian” is a result of rejecting minoritization and assimilation that would occur under the gay and lesbian cultures. On the contrary to Warner’s beliefs, Natalie Kouri-Towe claims that “queer” is an unstable word to be used as an identity and a source of empowerment in her writing “Queer.” Her argument sprouts from the speculation that “the strength of ‘queer’ lies in disruption, discomfort, and failure to properly fit,” and that queerness is “only oppositional” (Kouri-Towe 6), meaning that once perfect assimilation or acceptance into normalcy is achieved, “queer” would lose its foundational meaning and …show more content…
To use as an example, in Yasmin Nair’s “Against Equality, Against Marriage,” where the issue of assimilation is discussed, “equal rights,” such as the right to gay marriage is merely a form of imitation of heteronormativity, because it implies that by imitating behaviors of heterosexual culture, those who do not fit into that culture would find inclusion and acceptance. Instead of working on embracing the difference and breaking down the restrictions of normalcy, society is teaching those who would be considered “queer,” who do not fit in with the majority that the only way for them to exist in this world is to imitate and blend in, such as through the traditional heterosexual practice,