The question poses an interesting problem regarding social control through collective forgetting of queer histories, which is a critical issue that has been neglected in academic discourse. This phenomenon refers to the deliberate omission or misrepresentation of queer experiences, identities, and histories from mainstream narratives, leading to the marginalization and oppression of LGBTQ+ individuals.
The way this occurs can be better understood by exploring its role in maintaining hegemonic power structures and reinforcing heterosexual normativity. In this article, I will analyze the ways in which collective forgetting functions as a form of social control and how remembering acts as resistance against it.
Collective forgetting operates at different levels, including historical amnesia, cultural erasure, and political repression. At the historical level, the exclusion of queer stories, lives, and perspectives from textbooks, museums, archives, and other official records contributes to their invisibility and denial.
The Stonewall riots are widely seen as a defining moment in queer liberation movements worldwide, but they were largely ignored in public narratives for decades until recently. Similarly, queer people's experiences during World War II have been rarely acknowledged despite their significant contributions. These examples show how dominant cultures silence or distort queer histories to create a false sense of normalcy, thereby suppressing dissent and alternative lifestyles.
Cultural erasure also plays a crucial role in perpetuating collective forgetting through censorship, stigmatization, and stereotyping. Queer representation is often limited to specific tropes like gay men and drag queens, while non-binary gender identities, transgender experiences, and polyamorous relationships remain underrepresented or absent entirely. This leads to the promotion of homonormativity and monogamy, creating a false binary between 'normal' and 'deviant' sexuality.
Some communities actively resist any recognition of LGBTQ+ individuals, resulting in physical violence, hate speech, and discrimination. These attitudes reinforce heterosexual normativity by positioning queerness as abnormal or deviant, which further marginalizes them and limits their agency.
Political repression also functions as a form of social control through laws, policies, and institutions that criminalize or pathologize queer lives and identities. The persecution of same-sex couples, gender-nonconforming individuals, and trans people has resulted in harassment, imprisonment, and even death in many countries worldwide. Even in more liberal societies, institutionalized homophobia and transphobia exist in educational curricula, medical practices, religious organizations, and workplaces. This creates a culture of fear and silence, where queer individuals must hide their identities for safety or risk losing employment, housing, and family support.
Remembering acts as resistance against these forms of social control by challenging dominant narratives and reclaiming lost histories. Activism and grassroots movements have played an essential role in bringing about awareness and change, such as Pride marches, protests, and queer studies programs. Individual stories can also serve as powerful forms of resistance, allowing people to claim their identities and experiences in defiance of the status quo.
Coming out stories demonstrate the courage required to live openly and authentically despite societal pressure. Recognizing diverse sexualities and genders promotes inclusivity and acceptance, disrupting the hegemony of cisgender heterosexuality.
Collective forgetting is a powerful tool used to maintain hegemonic power structures and reinforce normative sexuality.
Remembering can serve as resistance against this by challenging dominant narratives, reclaiming lost histories, and celebrating diversity. By recognizing the complexity of queer lives and identities, we can create a society that values all forms of love and intimacy equally, regardless of gender, race, class, or sexual orientation.
In what ways does collective forgetting of queer histories function as a form of social control, and how might remembering act as resistance?
The erasure of queer history can be seen as a form of social control that perpetuates heteronormative ideals and marginalizes non-conforming sexualities. By failing to acknowledge the experiences and contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history, society reinforces the belief that homosexuality is abnormal and deviant.