Queer temporality is the concept of time experienced by those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, genderfluid, pansexual, intersex, polyamorous, kinky, asexual, etc. In this sense, it challenges the conventional linear narrative of progress that has been used to shape societal morals for centuries. Instead of seeing time as a one-way road from past to future, queer temporality posits that life can be lived outside of traditional timelines. This notion of recurrence, fluidity, and becoming allows individuals to explore their identities without being bound to socially constructed norms.
One way in which queer temporality challenges the moral narrative of progress is through its emphasis on cyclical patterns instead of linear progression. Queer people may experience different stages of their lives multiple times, such as coming out or transitioning, which can bring about personal growth and development each time around.
The passing of time does not necessarily imply physical aging but rather the ability to embrace new forms of identity and expression. By reinterpreting history in terms of cycles instead of a straight line, queer temporality subverts traditional values of productivity and achievement.
Queer temporality encourages an ethics of becoming rather than prescriptive rules for behavior. Rather than following rigid codes of conduct based on gender, sexuality, race, class, etc., individuals are free to experiment with their identities and relationships without fear of judgment. The focus shifts from achieving preconceived goals towards creating new ways of living together. This approach questions the very idea of what is "right" or "wrong," allowing individuals to create their own standards of morality according to their unique experiences.
Queer temporality offers an alternative way of understanding time that prioritizes individual exploration over conformity. It disrupts the moral narrative of progress by refusing to see life as a series of accomplishments leading towards some ideal end goal. Instead, it opens up possibilities for connection, transformation, and creativity within intimate spaces. As such, it has significant implications for our collective understanding of morality, culture, and society at large.
How does queer temporality challenge the moral narrative of progress, proposing instead an ethics of recurrence, fluidity, and becoming?
Queer temporality challenges the moral narrative of progress by questioning the idea that there is one linear pathway towards development and improvement. Instead, it proposes an ethics of recurrence, wherein time is cyclical and non-linear, allowing for a greater degree of flexibility and adaptability within a given system. This approach emphasizes the importance of embracing change and variation over time rather than striving for a singular goal.