Critical Response To 'Queer Evolution' By Martha Irvine

Martha Irvine, a graduate of the University of Michigan published an article titled Queer Evolution which talked about how the word “Queer” itself has evolved into the mainstream. Originally the word’s definition was to describe something as odd or weird. Society utilized the word “Queer” as an insult to the LGBTQ community. As more sexual orientations are being discovered, “Queer” became a more accepted word in the gay community in order to make things simpler. Irvine’s essay showed that whatever word we use, can affect a person depending on the intention, and the tone of how it’s being said. Irvine’s essay is very similar to Deborah Tannen’s essay You’re Wearing That which talks about the relationship between mother and daughter and how words have established expectations for women based on their appearance and behavior. Another essay that well connects with Tannen and Irvine’s articles is a section from a book written by Michael Kimmel titled Bros Before Hos’’: The Guy Code. Kimmel talks about “The Guy Code”, rules that a man should always follow in order to be considered a real man. Words are the reason why these standards have been established for all genders and sexualities. The relationships between parents and children would be better if words were replaced, which would abolish the expectations that society has for men and women.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Queer community also referred to as LGBTQQ is no stranger to oppression. “In 1600-1800, colonists discovered buggery (sex between men or between women) among Native Americans. In 1869, Dr. Karoly Benkert coined the term “homosexuality” to describe same-sex acts. In 1870-1910, homosexuals

"It's my purple sweater,” I responded, as my 4th-grade classmates surrounded me, questioning my outfit. Then they said it, the two words that would forever exasperate my adolescence, "That's gay!" And like that, the trend began. From that day on, my typical mannerisms, my lisp, my endless giggling, my fidgeting, were all characterized as gay. The constant bombardment of slurs like "Gayson" bewildered me, resulting in an inner abashment. I was afraid; I was ashamed of who I was.

never let it define you as if you let them get to you and start letting

“Sex was something mysterious which happened to married couples and Homosexuality was never mentioned; my mother told me my father did not believe it existed at all ‘until he joined the army’. As a child, I was warned about talking to ‘strange men’, without any real idea what this meant. I was left to find out for myself what it was all about.” Mike Newman, who was a child during the 1950s America recalls how homosexuality was perceived during the post-World War II era (F). This sexual oppression was not only in Newman’s household, but in almost everyone’s. While the civil rights movement began in the mid-1950s and ended late 1960s, the LGBT community started to come out of the closet slowly. The gay rights movement stemmed from the civil rights movement

Humans have always found a way to demean people who are different. They do this by making up words that directly degrade a person by their differences. The word Queer is an example of a word that has actually changed from a homophobic slur to, in some eyes, a non-offensive title. While most people would still say that they don't feel comfortable hearing the word queer, more people have become immune to it because of television. The Editors of Society state that "Now queer is sneaking into the mainstream- and taking on a hipster edge". Back in the 1920's using the word queer was not taken lightly. In today's society with television shows using queer in the title of their show, for example, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, the word has a different impact than it used to.

Because language is relative/arbitrary, queer has various meanings, depending on evolution and history and also personal attributions. Queer has been used as an adjective to mean strange, questionable, or to not feel right, a pejorative against queer individuals, an identity relating to a person who does not conform to a normative sexual orientation or gender identity, a sexual orientation, and as a gender identity (such as genderqueer). However, there is an overlooked use of the word: queer is also a verb. What does it mean to queer something? There was a time when that phrase meant “to mess it up,” as in queering a

Queer theory questions creations of normal and divergent, insider, and outsider.2 Queer theorists analyse a situation or a text to determine the relationship between sexuality, power and gender. Queer theory challenges basic tropes used to organize our society and our language: even words are gendered, and through that gendering an elliptical view of the hierarchy of society, and presumption of what is male and what is female, shines through. Queer theory rejects such binary distinctions as arbitrarily determined and defined by those with social power. It works to deconstruct these binaries, particularly the homosexual/heterosexual binary.4

Queer theorist Michael Warner attempts to provide a solid definition of a concept that typically circumvents categorical definitions: "Social reflection carried out in such a manner tends to be creative, fragmentary, and defensive, and leaves us perpetually at a disadvantage. And it is easy to be misled by the utopian claims advanced in support of particular tactics. But the range and seriousness of the problems that are continually raised by queer practice indicate how much work remains to be done. Because the logic of the sexual order is so deeply embedded by now in

Throughout centuries of generations, there have been many changes that have influenced sexual tolerance. Sexual tolerance is defined as “the acceptance of multiple sexual orientations and lifestyles, generally accompanied by the appropriate legal and civil rights” (Urban Dictionary, 2009). Though there have been improvements in tolerance, there are still many different views on the recent policies, laws or social trends occurring towards sexual and gender orientation. Every aspect of society, from the Department of Defense to local school departments, are beginning to adapt to this growth in gender identity and orientation. An article published by the New York Times (Rosenberg, 2016) addresses an uprising policy on the acceptance of

‘Queer’ is a new term to describe those who do not feel that their identities fit into the gender categories of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered. However, they can experiment with intermittent gender (from female to male, male to female) through their dress and actions. The queer space is perceived as a ‘third place’ that occurs on the margins of society.

Imagine being mocked for who you are and singled out on the way you act and dress—heterosexuals face that problem everyday seeing it broadcasted on shows and movies commonly seen in the genre of drama and comedy. Stereotypes on groups of people affect whether they are true or just a perception. The gay community is discriminated against and has to overcome stereotypes in the media, as seen in Modern Family, Glee, and Mean Girls showing how they are struggling to be represented accurately and positively. Before the 1960’s gay men weren’t shown in films, plays, shows, etc.

The Queer Theory is affecting several individuals in today’s society. Many people may have probably laughed at the title of this topic (including myself) or simply reading the word “queer”, but it wasn’t until I actually started researching this topic that I began trying to put myself in the shoes of these people known as “queers”. The word “Queer,” usually refers to anyone who is basically (LBGT), Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay or Transgender, but has other meanings too. In this article, Dissenting with queer theory: reading Ranciere queerly; the author Adam Greteman unfolds the true meaning of Queer, its contradictions; how humor brings a function to argue about the educational aspect of it; as well as how the queer theory may be

The word “gay” has gone through drastic changes. Traditionally, it was a positive term that meant to be “happily excited” or “jolly” (Merriam Webster, “Gay”). It was used regularly to express one’s feelings about life. Today, it has a far different meaning. Now people use the word gay to label homosexuals, those with feminine qualities, or those who do something thought to be outside of the norm for their gender. “Being gay” went from expressing someone’s happiness to describing his sexual preference. The definition of gay has changed so much that its original meaning has become archaic and lost to the times.

As time changes so does everything else in the world, including words and their meanings. One particular term has strayed far away from its meaning and symbolizes something completely different now. The term gay has changed so much over time that few people now know its true meaning.