Queer Theory and Sexual Politics
Expert-defined terms from the Postgraduate Certificate in Sexuality and Culture course at LearnUNI. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
Ableism refers to the discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disab… #
In the context of Queer Theory and Sexual Politics, ableism is often intersecting with other forms of oppression, such as homophobia, transphobia, and racism, to create complex and unique experiences of marginalization. Related terms include disability studies, accessibility, and inclusion.
Anthropological perspectives on sexuality emphasize the importance of cultura… #
This approach recognizes that sexuality is not a universal or essential aspect of human nature, but rather a social and cultural construct that varies across different societies and historical periods. Related terms include ethnography, fieldwork, and cultural relativism.
Anti #
oppressive practices are strategies and interventions designed to challenge and dismantle systems of oppression, such as racism, sexism, homophobia,! and transphobia. In the context of Queer Theory and Sexual Politics, anti-oppressive practices involve critical reflection, alliance-building, and activism to promote social justice and human rights. Related terms include social justice, activism, and community engagement.
Assimilation refers to the process of cultural or social absorptio… #
In the context of Queer Theory and Sexual Politics, assimilation can be seen as a strategy of survival or acceptance, but it can also involve the erasure of queer identities and experiences. Related terms include integration, acculturation, and cultural homogenization.
Biphobia refers to the prejudice , discrimination , or erasure</b… #
Biphobia can manifest in social and cultural norms that perpetuate binary thinking and exclusive categories of sexuality. In the context of Queer Theory and Sexual Politics, biphobia is often intersecting with other forms of oppression, such as homophobia and transphobia. Related terms include monosexism, binary thinking, and queer inclusion.
Butch refers to a masculine #
presenting lesbian or queer woman, often characterized by short hair, masculine clothing, and assertive behavior. Butch identities and experiences are diverse and can intersect with other forms of oppression, such as racism and classism. Related terms include femme, queer femininity, and lesbian masculinity.
Cisgender refers to an individual whose gender identity mat… #
Cisgender individuals often experience privileges and benefits that are denied to transgender or non-binary individuals. In the context of Queer Theory and Sexual Politics, cisgender is often used to highlight the social and cultural construction of gender and to challenge binary thinking. Related terms include transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconformity.
Coming out refers to the process of disclosing one's queer iden… #
Coming out can be a liberating and empowering experience, but it can also involve risks and challenges, such as rejection, stigma, and violence. Related terms include closet, passing, and queer visibility.
Compulsory heterosexuality refers to the social and cultural norms… #
Compulsory heterosexuality can manifest in institutional and systemic forms of oppression, such as marriage laws, adoption policies, and education curricula. Related terms include heteronormativity, homophobia, and queer resistance.
Cross #
dressing refers to the practice of wearing clothing or adopting styles that are traditionally associated with a different gender. Cross-dressing can be a form of self-expression, performance, or play, but it can also involve risks and challenges, such as stigma, discrimination, and violence. Related terms include drag, transvestism, and gender nonconformity.
Drag refers to the practice of performing or presenting a gende… #
Drag can involve costumes, makeup, and accessories, as well as scripts, choreography, and music. Drag performances and events can be a form of entertainment, social commentary, or activism. Related terms include cross-dressing, transvestism, and queer performance.
Essentialism refers to the idea that identities , behaviors ,… #
Essentialism can be used to justify or perpetuate oppression, such as homophobia or transphobia, by assuming that certain traits or behaviors are natural or universal. Related terms include constructionism, social construct, and cultural relativism.
Femininity refers to the social and cultural constructs ass… #
Femininity can involve traits such as nurturance, empathy, and cooperation, as well as styles such as makeup, clothing, and accessories. Femininity can be performed or subverted in various ways, such as through drag, butch identities, or queer femininities. Related terms include masculinity, gender nonconformity, and queer performance.
Foucauldian refers to the theories and ideas of Michel F… #
Foucauldian thought emphasizes the importance of power and knowledge in shaping social and cultural norms and practices. In the context of Queer Theory and Sexual Politics, Foucauldian ideas are used to analyze and challenge dominant discourses and power structures. Related terms include poststructuralism, social construct, and cultural critique.
Gay refers to a male #
identifying individual who is attracted to other men or male-identifying individuals. Gay identities and experiences are diverse and can intersect with other forms of oppression, such as racism and classism. Related terms include lesbian, bisexual, and queer identities.
Hegemony refers to the dominant or prevailing ideology or <… #
Hegemony can be used to justify or perpetuate oppression, such as heteronormativity or homophobia, by presenting certain values or beliefs as natural or universal. Related terms include ideology, cultural imperialism, and social construct.
Heteronormativity refers to the social and cultural norms that … #
Heteronormativity can manifest in institutional and systemic forms of oppression, such as marriage laws, adoption policies, and education curricula. Related terms include compulsory heterosexuality, homophobia, and queer resistance.
Homophobia refers to the prejudice , discrimination , or erasure<… #
Homophobia can manifest in social and cultural norms that perpetuate stigma, violence, and exclusion. In the context of Queer Theory and Sexual Politics, homophobia is often intersecting with other forms of oppression, such as racism and transphobia. Related terms include biphobia, transphobia, and queer inclusion.
Homosociality refers to the social and cultural practices a… #
Homosociality can be used to describe the close relationships between men or male-identifying individuals in historical or cultural contexts. Related terms include homosexuality, queer identities, and same-sex attraction.
Identity politics refers to the political and social movements<… #
Identity politics can involve strategies such as consciousness-raising, community-organizing, and coalition-building. In the context of Queer Theory and Sexual Politics, identity politics is often used to challenge and subvert dominant discourses and power structures. Related terms include social justice, activism, and community engagement.
Intersectionality refers to the idea that identities , experienc… #
Intersectionality can be used to analyze and challenge dominant discourses and power structures that perpetuate oppression and inequality. In the context of Queer Theory and Sexual Politics, intersectionality is often used to highlight the importance of context and positionality in shaping queer identities and experiences. Related terms include social justice, activism, and community engagement.
Lesbian refers to a female #
identifying individual who is attracted to other women or female-identifying individuals. Lesbian identities and experiences are diverse and can intersect with other forms of oppression, such as racism and classism. Related terms include gay, bisexual, and queer identities.
Masculinity refers to the social and cultural constructs as… #
Masculinity can involve traits such as aggression, competition, and dominance, as well as styles such as clothing, hairstyles, and accessories. Masculinity can be performed or subverted in various ways, such as through drag, butch identities, or queer masculinities. Related terms include femininity, gender nonconformity, and queer performance.
Normativity refers to the social and cultural norms that shape … #
Normativity can be used to justify or perpetuate oppression, such as heteronormativity or homophobia, by presenting certain values or beliefs as natural or universal. Related terms include ideology, cultural imperialism, and social construct.
Performativity refers to the idea that identities and gender</b… #
Performativity can be used to analyze and challenge dominant discourses and power structures that perpetuate oppression and inequality. In the context of Queer Theory and Sexual Politics, performativity is often used to highlight the importance of context and positionality in shaping queer identities and experiences. Related terms include social construct, cultural critique, and queer performance.
Postcolonial refers to the theories and ideas that analyze … #
Postcolonial thought emphasizes the importance of context and positionality in shaping social and cultural norms and practices. In the context of Queer Theory and Sexual Politics, postcolonial ideas are used to challenge and subvert dominant discourses and power structures that perpetuate oppression and inequality. Related terms include poststructuralism, social construct, and cultural critique.
Poststructuralism refers to the theories and ideas that challen… #
Poststructuralism emphasizes the importance of context and positionality in shaping social and cultural norms and practices. In the context of Queer Theory and Sexual Politics, poststructuralism is often used to analyze and challenge binary thinking and essentialism. Related terms include Foucauldian thought, social construct, and cultural critique.
Queer refers to a non #
normative or non-heterosexual identity or sexual orientation. Queer identities and experiences are diverse and can intersect with other forms of oppression, such as racism and classism. Related terms include gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender identities.
Queer theory refers to the body of theories and ideas that… #
Queer theory emphasizes the importance of context and positionality in shaping queer identities and experiences. Related terms include poststructuralism, social construct, and cultural critique.
Sex refers to the biological and physical characteristics t… #
Sex can be used to describe the anatomical and physiological differences between men and women, as well as the biological and medical conditions that affect intersex individuals. Related terms include gender, sexuality, and intersex identities.
Sexism refers to the prejudice , discrimination , or erasure … #
Sexism can manifest in social and cultural norms that perpetuate stigma, violence, and exclusion. In the context of Queer Theory and Sexual Politics, sexism is often intersecting with other forms of oppression, such as homophobia and transphobia. Related terms include misogyny, patriarchy, and feminism.
Sexuality refers to the emotional , romantic , and sexual … #
Sexuality can be used to describe the diverse range of sexual orientations, identities, and practices that exist across different cultures and historical periods. Related terms include heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, and queer identities.
Transgender refers to an individual whose gender identity d… #
Transgender individuals may identify as male, female, or non-binary, and may experience discrimination and violence due to their gender identity. Related terms include transsexual, transvestite, and gender nonconformity.
Transphobia refers to the prejudice , discrimination , or erasure… #
Transphobia can manifest in social and cultural norms that perpetuate stigma, violence, and exclusion. In the context of Queer Theory and Sexual Politics, transphobia is often intersecting with other forms of oppression, such as homophobia and racism. Related terms include homophobia, biphobia, and queer inclusion.
Transsexual refers to an individual who has undergone medical or <… #
Transsexual individuals may identify as male, female, or non-binary, and may experience discrimination and violence due to their gender identity. Related terms include transgender, transvestite, and gender nonconformity.
Transvestite refers to an individual who wears clothing or… #
Transvestite individuals may identify as male, female, or non-binary, and may experience discrimination and violence due to their gender expression. Related terms include transgender, transsexual, and gender nonconformity.
Two #
spirit refers to a traditional identity or role in some Native American cultures that combines male and female spirits or roles. Two-spirit individuals may identify as male, female, or non-binary, and may experience discrimination and violence due to their gender identity or cultural background. Related terms include third gender, non-binary, and gender nonconformity.
Xenophobia refers to the prejudice , discrimination , or erasure<… #
Xenophobia can manifest in social and cultural norms that perpetuate stigma, violence, and exclusion. In the context of Queer Theory and Sexual Politics, xenophobia is often intersecting with other forms of oppression, such as homophobia and transphobia. Related terms include racism, nativism, and queer inclusion.