Queer Temporality
The term "queer" is often used to describe identities that fall outside of traditional binary definitions of gender and sexuality, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, nonbinary, pansexual, asexual, polyamorous, kinky, and more. It has also been used to refer to experiences that challenge normative timelines of growth and development, particularly around issues related to aging and life events like birthdays, marriages, deaths, retirement, etc. In this article, I will explore how queer temporality challenges conventional understandings of these milestones and offers new ways of thinking about human development.
Challenging Conventional Milestones
Queer temporality rejects the idea that everyone follows the same timeline for major life events. Instead, it recognizes that each person's journey is unique and may involve different stages, steps, or experiences than what society typically expects.
Many people who identify as LGBTQ+ have experienced coming out at various ages and in different circumstances, while others may never feel comfortable doing so publicly. Similarly, many individuals do not fit into the traditional narratives surrounding marriage, parenthood, career progression, or retirement. These examples illustrate how queer temporality provides an opportunity for individuals to reimagine their own paths and explore alternative possibilities without feeling constrained by societal expectations.
Reconceptualizing Aging
Aging is associated with decline, decay, and loss.
Queer temporality encourages us to rethink these ideas and recognize that age can be a source of wisdom, resilience, and creativity. This approach acknowledges that older adults are still capable of contributing meaningfully to society and may even bring valuable perspectives on topics such as love, relationships, and intergenerational connections. By embracing this perspective, we can begin to challenge ageism and promote intergenerational learning and collaboration.
Implications for Human Development
Queer temporality has important implications for our understanding of human development. It pushes us to consider how individual identities and experiences shape our journeys, and how they intersect with broader social and cultural norms.
This approach suggests that there is no one-size-fits-all model for growth and change - rather, it highlights the importance of personal autonomy and self-determination in shaping our lives. In doing so, it offers new ways of thinking about what it means to live well and fulfill our potential as humans.
How does queer temporality reconceptualize conventional understandings of aging, milestones, and human development?
Queer temporality is an emerging field within Queer Theory that challenges the traditional conceptualization of time as linear and progressive. Instead, it emphasizes the fluidity and non-linearity of temporal experience, where individuals can move back and forth between past and present moments and exist simultaneously across different timescales. This perspective on time has important implications for how we think about aging, milestones, and human development.