Marginal subcultures within the LGBT community often have unique and innovative ways of thinking about sex, sexuality, gender, and intimate relationships that differ from mainstream society's expectations. These subcultures can create their own ethical and aesthetic norms based on their experiences and perspectives on these topics. This article will explore how marginal subcultures within the LGBT community produce innovative ethical and aesthetic norms through an analysis of several examples.
Ethical Norms
One example of a marginal subculture within the LGBT community is the kink community. The kink community includes individuals who engage in BDSM activities such as bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadomasochism, and other related practices. Within this community, consent is paramount for all participants, including explicit verbal agreements before any activity begins. This emphasis on consent reflects an ethical norm that prioritizes individual autonomy and agency in sexual encounters.
Members of the kink community may challenge traditional ideas of what constitutes "safe" or "healthy" sexual behavior by exploring consensual non-monogamy or polyamory. By expanding the boundaries of what is acceptable, they demonstrate a willingness to question societal norms and seek alternative forms of relationship and sexual expression.
Aesthetic Norms
Another marginal subculture within the LGBT community is drag queens and kings. Drag performers often use exaggerated makeup, costumes, and behaviors to express gender fluidity and play with social constructs around gender identity. Their performances can be seen as a form of artistic expression that challenges the status quo by pushing against traditional notions of masculinity and femininity.
Drag queens may embody hyperfeminine stereotypes while also critiquing them, or drag kings may subvert gender roles through their performance. Through their performances, these subcultures create new standards for beauty and creativity that challenge mainstream expectations of how people should look or behave based on their assigned gender.
Marginal subcultures within the LGBT community produce innovative ethical and aesthetic norms that challenge mainstream society's expectations. These subcultures highlight the importance of consent, autonomy, and personal expression, which are all essential components of healthy relationships and individual wellbeing. By creating new standards for intimacy and sexuality, they open up possibilities for more inclusive and diverse ways of thinking about sex, sexuality, and gender.
How do marginal subcultures within LGBT communities produce innovative ethical and aesthetic norms?
Marginalized subgroups within LGBTQ+ communities are often characterized by their distinct social identities which differ from mainstream heteronormativity (Sears & Becker 2015). These groups can include those who identify as queer, transgender, non-binary, lesbian, bisexual, and gay people of color.