Workshops

QUEER THEORY (advanced level)

We tried to discuss some questions concerning the previous gained information about queer theory. First we tried to discuss a really large topic:

Why Queer Theory?

We defined it as a new theory about human being – opposite to previous theories, like Darwin Evolutionary Theory, threatening all human beings (or generally people) as part of animal life and behaviour.
Queer Theory gives more room for human reflection on sensual or artistic domains of peoples lifestyle. It has grown on the field of postmodernism Theory of Culture (in its wide meaning). In fact, the name ‘queer’ was used for the first time in XVIII century (institution of Princess Seraphina in England), close to other names, as ‘faggots’, ‘dykes’ and ‘punks’.
Queer as a kind of lifestyle existed always. It created and is still creating a space of freedom, where everyone can be anyone who wants to be.

We agreed that Queer Theory has before all a scientifical background (Michel Foucault, Judith Butler, Eve Kossofsky-Sedgwick, Diane Fuss, Michel Warner). However not only scientists and intellectuals formulated this background. An important role was also played by artists, singers, actors or performers (e.g. Quentin Crisp or Madonna).

Queer is not a fashion, because from the point, where it becomes a fashion, it is not queer any more.

How can Queer Theory change our point of view on many issues?

This topic was very large and controversial.

Should Queer Theory be included into other social, philosophical or anthropological theories and a regular academic discussion?

We decided also to describe the field of interest for Queer Theory, where we included: drag and camp culture, political lesbianism, gay movement organisations, new forms of language (giving up the female/ male forms of language), transgenderism, Oscar Wilde, TATU (if they help or hurt lesbian society), matriarchal system contra patriarchal, Gender Studies, ‘weird behaviour’, drag queens and kings!
The conclusion was: this is a theory without a (real) theory!

At least we agreed, that the term ‘queer’ can be used not only to describe a kind of sexual or gender orientation or behaviour but also the kind of art or lifestyle, including subcultures, artists or informal groups.
The dominating STANDARD marginalizes all which is ‘out of the norm’, leaving no room for ‘others’. Queer Theory finds the place for all forms, that are margined and discriminized by the majority conception of the world and society.

Is Queer Theory an universal theory about all phenomenon’s concerning the dominating Western culture as well as other cultures and lifestyles?

We found lots of examples from ‘forgotten’ or ‘marginal’ cultures, where not only the ‘sexual’ or gender female – male roles are inversed or replaced but the gender/ sex relations are unique.
In Mexico there exist a ‘third’ sexual or gender group or, institution – ‘Concittas’, which are young ‘female’ boys, playing their own role in a rather traditional society, where female and male roles are strictly defined. This situation of Mexico is not completely unique, in Montenegro, there exists a group of firstborn girls who also play the role of boys. They are called ‘Virgina’ and they are treated by the society as regular boys with exactly defined male roles and behaviour by their society.
Summarizing our knowledge and observations we agreed that the western culture and society is a rather ‘backward’ society comparing to the cultural and gender diversity that is often found elsewhere in the world.