Queer theory holds that all identities, including gender and sexual identities, are social constructions rather than innate. It critiques the traditional binary categories of gender and sexuality, such as man/woman and gay/straight. Judith Butler, a key scholar, argued that repeated representations of heterosexuality work to present it as normal, but representations of alternatives like drag queens can subvert and destabilize dominant heterosexual ideology. However, some argue that mainstream media representations of queer identities do little to challenge gender norms and are used more for shock value than celebration of diversity.

1. Queer Theory

2. What is Queer theory?
Feminism was the contrast between sex and
gender – Queer theory offers the view that all
identities are social constructions
 The ideas of male and female are just as
much the product of representations as
masculinity and femininity
 Queer theory does not concern itself
exclusively with homosexuality – it is about
all forms of identity
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3. Judith Butler – ‘Gender Trouble’
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Judith focuses on the need to break the line
between the categories of sex and gender so that
all forms of sexual identity can be accepted and
celebrated
Queer theory attacks the binary oppositions which
underline traditional ideas about sexuality e.g.
man/woman, active/passive, gay/straight
Butler says that no one has an innate sexual
identity –repeated representations of
heterosexuality will create the illusion that it is
normal and right

4. representations of alternatives such as
drag queens, butch lesbians, camp and
macho gays have the capacity to subvert
and denaturalise dominant heterosexual
ideology
 becoming more frequent in mainstream
media – gay and lesbian characters
appear in fictional TV without self evident
tokenism
 Examples?
 Drag, camp comedy are all commonplace
on early evening TV – Alan Carr
 But does this signify a move towards
increasing tolerance of sexual diversity?


5. Some have argued that these
representations simply present titillating,
transgressive alternatives to ‘normal’
heterosexuality
 These are often used because of their
shock value, not to promote or celebrate
diversity
 Does the pantomime dame or the camp
character in sitcoms do anything to
subvert gender categories?


6. Some have argued that these
representations simply present titillating,
transgressive alternatives to ‘normal’
heterosexuality
 These are often used because of their
shock value, not to promote or celebrate
diversity
 Does the pantomime dame or the camp
character in sitcoms do anything to
subvert gender categories?
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