Queer Ontology is an interdisciplinary academic field that explores the ways in which social identities are constructed and challenges the binary gender system. It focuses on how various forms of marginalized people construct their own identities, and how they relate to each other. This article will explore how Queer Ontology articulates the metaphysics of becoming across multiple lived realities.
Lived Realities
Lived realities refer to the experiences of different groups of individuals who do not conform to traditional norms and expectations. These include transgender, nonbinary, agender, bigender, and genderfluid individuals, as well as those who identify outside of the binary of male and female. They also include those who identify with multiple genders, have fluid gender identities, or reject gender altogether. The lived realities of these individuals are shaped by their interactions with society and their relationships with others.
Becoming
Becoming refers to the process of developing one's identity through experience. In queer ontology, becoming can be seen as an active, ongoing process of self-creation rather than a static identity. This process involves exploring one's desires, sexuality, and relationships, and negotiating them within the context of broader cultural and social norms.
A person may come out as bisexual, then explore polyamory, and then switch between being monogamous and polyamorous throughout their life.
Metaphysics
Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy concerned with understanding reality beyond physical existence. It includes questions about the nature of existence, being, and identity. In this sense, metaphysics can be applied to discussions of gender and sexuality.
Does gender exist independently of culture and language? How do we define gender if there are people who do not fit into either male or female categories? What is the role of biological sex in determining gender identity?
Articulation
Articulation refers to how ideas are expressed and understood. In Queer Ontology, articulation takes many forms, including language, narrative, and performance.
Individuals may express their identities through clothing, hairstyles, makeup, and other means of bodily expression. They may also use specific words or phrases to describe themselves and their experiences. This allows them to create meaning for themselves that challenges the binary system.
Examples of Lived Realities
One example of a lived reality is transgender identity. Transgender individuals often experience gender dysphoria, which is a discomfort with their assigned sex at birth. They may choose to transition to live as their true gender, which involves changes in appearance and behavior. Another example is nonbinary identity, where individuals reject the idea of two genders and identify outside of the binary. They may use they/them pronouns and create their own labels to express their unique identities.
Intersectionality
Intersectionality is the study of how multiple forms of oppression intersect and affect each other.
Someone who is both Black and queer faces discrimination based on both race and sexuality. Someone who is disabled and queer might face additional barriers to accessing healthcare or employment. By studying these intersections, we can understand how different forms of marginalization work together to shape individuals' lives.
How does queer ontology articulate the metaphysics of becoming across multiple lived realities?
Queer ontology is a concept that seeks to challenge traditional notions of identity, gender, sexuality, and the body by embracing fluidity and multiplicity within these constructs. It emphasizes the complex intersections between these identities and realities, highlighting how they are shaped by social and cultural factors such as race, class, ability, and geography.