Have you ever seen the term queer theory and wondered what it meant? Maybe you’ve come across the term and felt curious, or you’ve tried reading Judith Butler or Foucault only to find their writing dense and overwhelming. Or perhaps you’ve always had a sense that gender and sexuality are more complex than society tends to make them out to be. If any of that sounds familiar, keep reading.

In this article, I’ll give you a taste of what queer theory is and why I think it’s something everyone—especially queer people—could benefit from understanding. But remember, these are just theories, so take it all with a pinch of salt!

So, what is Queer Theory?
Well, there isn’t a straight (hah!) forward answer to that question. Queer theory has evolved into an alternative way of thinking and engaging with research, pop culture, the human experience and so much more. Because of how queer theory is constantly evolving and expanding, scholars refuse to give a clear definition of the term. This leaves everything open for reinterpretation.

But, to give you some kind of explanation, think of queer theory as an alternative way to engage and consider gender, sex, sexuality, and the complex relationships between them. These ideas can be applied to just about anything, from identity and relationships to media and politics.

Some core concepts of Queer Theory
The goal of this article is to give you a brief introduction to some of those core concepts so you can pick and choose what you want to learn more about, or even decide you don’t want to know anymore, at least your thoughts about society and the norms we are encouraged to fall into will be challenged! (And that is the main goal of queer theory at the end of the day). I will name-drop a few theorists whose ideas I reference, just in case you want to do further research.

• Question, challenge, and even destroy binaries
  Labels like male/female, gay/straight, prude/slut, good/bad, healthy/unhealthy—there are so many binaries that we are shoved into by society. Believe it or not, most humans do not fall into one side of any binary neatly. A heterosexual man may have a few men crushes, a “femme” lesbian might have days she just wants to dress more “masculine”. Some binaries don’t even have clear definitions – what is classified as healthy or unhealthy changes every other week, and what makes someone a “slut” fully depends on who you ask. Queer theory questions whether complex things like sexuality, gender, and human desire should be simplified into binaries at all. If there’s one thing you take from this, it’s to challenge all binaries. Ask yourself whether they positively serve you, and if not, discard them. You are far too complex and wonderful to be forced into a box.

• Queer is something you do, not something you are
  This one might be difficult to grasp for some people, and that’s okay. Queer theorists, like Michael Warner, often describe ‘queer’ as a verb—a set of actions rather than an identity you inherently are. In queer theory, being queer is resisting societal norms. These could be norms surrounding identity, expression, relationships, and any other elements that it feels like society tries to push a way of being on us. You queer the world around you by rejecting what’s considered “normal”.

• Identities are fluid
  Queer theory challenges the idea that our identities are fixed or pre-existing. Many of us grow up believing we need to “discover” our true identity—straight, gay, bi, trans, etc. But queer theory argues that identities are fluid and constantly changing. For instance, someone might identify as a straight woman for most of their life, later realise they’re a lesbian, and then eventually transition to identifying as a trans man. Each of these identities is valid at the time they are experienced—realising a new identity does not make the previous one wrong. For many people this way of looking at identity is freeing – there’s no need to pick one and stick with it forever, we can play with our way of expressing ourselves and our labels as much as we want.

• There’s no such thing as “good” or “bad” sex
  Sex is a huge topic in both academia and everyday life. In media, in day-to-day conversations, we constantly hear about what kind of sex is “right” or “wrong.” Queer theory argues that there is no moral judgment when it comes to sex. As long as all parties are consenting adults, there’s no “wrong” way to experience pleasure. This also applies to how much sex we have as well. There’s no such thing as too much or too little sex if those involved are consenting and enjoying it. There is nothing wrong with having sex with a different person every day, or never having sex at all, or having sex for money. As long as it is what the individuals involved want, then it is “right” or “good” sex. It’s important to remember as well that what society does consider as “good” or “bad” sex is constantly changing and it depends on where you live and who you ask. So all you can do is what feels right and good to you.

• Do labels really matter?
  Queer theory challenges how we think about sexuality, particularly in relation to gender. Many common labels for sexual orientation, such as “gay”(attracted to same gender), “straight” (attracted to opposite gender), or “bisexual” (attracted to more than one gender), are based on the gender of the person you’re attracted to relative to your own. However, there are many flaws in this system. For instance, what about non-binary people? If a non-binary person is attracted only to women, are they gay or straight? And what about experiences vs labels? Should a transman who spent the majority of his life identifying as a lesbian woman be excluded from sapphic spaces post-transition, despite the shared experience with the community? These questions don’t necessarily need to be answered – they’re just worth considering when we think about how the way we label sexuality is flawed.
  That said, labels can still offer comfort and connection. Sandra Bem, a queer theorist, even advocates for the proliferation of new labels. Each new label challenges societal norms and helps people find community.

• Intersectionality – a big word for an important idea
  Just like there’s no feminism without intersectionality, there’s no queer theory without it either. Intersectionality refers to the way different aspects of a person’s identity—like race, gender, sexuality, class, and ability—overlap and interact to create unique experiences of privilege and discrimination. It emphasises that these identities can’t be understood in isolation from one another. For example, a white bisexual woman experiences her identity differently from a Black bisexual woman. It’s essential to remember that no two people experience their identities in the same way. (This section could be its own article, and it’s worth looking into the incredible writings by Kimberlé Crenshaw, who coined the term to highlight how women of colour experience both racism and sexism.)

• There is no “default” human
  Have you ever heard the theory that when a straight white man looks in the mirror, he just sees a “person,” while others—like women, people of colour, or queer individuals—see their gender, race, or sexual identity first? This reflects society’s assumption that the straight white man is the “default” human. Queer theory, like other critical theories, rejects this idea. There is no default. Everyone’s experience is so unique that reducing people to a set of labels doesn’t capture the full complexity of their existence.
  For example, if I list my labels—white, genderqueer, pansexual, able-bodied, neurodivergent—what does that really tell you about my life? It might give a vague outline, but it doesn’t reveal how those identities interact and impact my lived experiences. The assumption of a “default” human (i.e., straight, cisgender, white, male) hurts everyone. It forces people into rigid roles, even those who seem to align with that “default.”

So, what does all of this mean for you on a day-to-day basis?

It means being aware of binaries and norms that you may not have questioned before. When you think about yourself or others, try not to force anyone into restrictive categories. There’s always another option, a “both,” “neither,” or even something entirely new. And remember, if queer is something we do, then get out there and do it in the ways that make you feel happiest.

Final note: if this topic has intrigued you and you want to learn more, I highly recommend the book Queer: A Graphic History by author Meg-John Barker and illustrator Jules Scheele, or the podcast Theoryish as a next stepping stone. I am in no way claiming that this article is a perfect introduction to queer theory or that I am even an expert. It is a topic I am passionate about and want to share in an accessible way.