Queer Theory emphasizes radical differences from social norms and views social structures as the root of human oppression. It focuses on critiquing social boundaries and the mechanisms that enforce them. Historically centered on sexuality studies, Queer Theory also addresses other issues and is critical of anything mainstream. While marriage equality seems radical to some, Queer approaches tend to oppose gay marriage as too traditional and conforming to social control. Queer Theory draws from both academic social science and political activism that challenges traditions and institutions. It overlaps with but also differs from feminism and racial theory by questioning the validity of gender and racial categories.

1. Queer Theory

2. Queer Theory QT emphasizes radical otherness In many ways, it begins from similar observations as structuralism, but with a very different perspective on the value of structures Structuralists treat social structures as indispensable for social cohesion Queer Theorists treat structures as the root of human domination

3. Queer Theory Queer Theorists focus on a critique of social boundaries and the mechanisms that produce them Historically, Queer theory is rooted in sexuality studies but it does address many other issues Queer perspectives are critical of anything mainstream or any social force the pushes us into the mainstream

4. Marriage Equality Although gay seems like a radical step to many Americans, Queer approaches tend to disfavor gay marriage as a towards the mainstreaming of gay and lesbian sexual identities. Marriage is seen as too traditional, too oppressive, and too much of a social control

5. Queer Theory and Queer Politics Queer Theory has two sources: academic social science and political mobilization Queer political movements are radical social movements that critique traditions, institutions, and social controls. These social movement practices inform the academic social theory

6. Queer Theory and Other Perspectives Queer Theory overlaps in many ways with feminism but can be untenable to many feminists who feel that the category ‘woman’ has some real meaning. To Queer theorists, gender categories are limiting and fleeting. Queer Theory can be similarly incomensurable with racial conflict theory because it undermines the very notion of racial categories, making racial politics difficult. Not all gay and lesbian social researchers are queer and many queer theorists are not gay. Many gays and lesbians feel that queer theory undermines gay politics.