Migration is often associated with changes to one's sense of self, including but not limited to social and cultural norms, gender roles, family structures, religion, economic status, and language. While research has explored how migration affects individual identities, little attention has been given to its role in shaping queer identity and intimacy. Drawing from feminist perspectives and theories of performativity, this article argues that migration can indeed serve as a catalyst for constructing and transforming queer identity. By challenging dominant discourses of normalcy and respectability, migrant experiences provide an opportunity to redefine oneself outside of heteronormative expectations. The performativity of queer identity formation through migration involves both conscious and unconscious acts of resistance against societal pressures and conventions. This process entails questioning and reshaping the boundaries between public and private spaces, physical and psychological spaces, and even between the present and past selves. In doing so, individuals may engage in a range of behaviors, such as forming new relationships, experimenting with sexual practices, and adopting alternative ways of being and relating to others. These actions may be subtle or explicit, hidden or visible, but ultimately reflect an individual's desire to claim their own unique identity and agency. Migrants may also find themselves navigating multiple forms of marginalization, including racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and xenophobia, making their journeys all the more complex and layered.
The ability to move across borders can empower individuals to explore and express their full potential as embodied subjects capable of self-determination and transformation.
Migration, then, can be seen as a powerful tool for creating and enacting new identities that challenge traditional norms. It allows individuals to reject the expectations placed upon them by society and embrace their true selves. As they navigate new cultures and contexts, migrants may experience a sense of liberation from restrictive gender roles and sexual scripts, while also finding new ways of connecting with others through intimacy and eroticism. Through this process, queer people may be able to break free from rigid social constructions and explore their fullest potential. By embracing their true selves, migrant communities create spaces of resistance where they can form meaningful connections and build support networks. At the same time, however, these communities must confront additional challenges related to racism, classism, and exclusion. The transformative power of migration is thus both personal and collective, providing opportunities for growth and solidarity in the face of adversity.
Can migration be interpreted as a performative act of queer identity formation and transformation?
Migration has been studied as a way for individuals to change their social and cultural environment and explore new identities, including those that are non-normative or transgressive. Migrants may experience changes in their sense of self and belonging during the process of leaving behind familiar surroundings and entering unfamiliar ones. These experiences can lead to a rethinking of one's identity, which may result in the development of a "queer" or non-traditional identity.