I will explore how queer temporality can inform ethical decision-making for those who understand their lives as a series of nonlinear experiences and discontinuities. Queer temporality is an approach to time that recognizes the fluidity and flexibility of time, rather than viewing it as linear and predictable. It also acknowledges the ways in which power structures shape our experience of time, such as how certain people's stories are privileged above others due to factors like race, class, and gender. This framework challenges traditional conceptions of time and can be used to reframe ethical dilemmas.
The concept of queer temporality has its roots in feminist theory, particularly in the work of Elizabeth Freeman. She argues that "the past is never dead" but instead continues to shape the present through memory, desire, and trauma. This idea can be applied to ethical decision-making by examining how our own past experiences have shaped our current values and beliefs.
If someone grew up in a homophobic or transphobic environment, they may need to consider how that affected their understanding of sexual identity and relationships.
Queer temporality also emphasizes the importance of embodiment in understanding time. Bodies are not static but constantly changing, so the way we experience time is constantly shifting. This means that decisions about intimacy and sex should be made with this in mind.
Consent is not a one-time agreement but ongoing negotiation between partners. When bodies change over time, consent must also shift accordingly.
Queer temporality suggests that time is relational. We do not exist in isolation but interact with others and the world around us. Therefore, when making ethical decisions related to sexuality and relationships, it's essential to consider how those decisions affect others.
Choosing to come out as LGBTQ+ can impact family members and friends who may not understand or accept the decision.
Queer temporality offers a unique perspective on time that challenges traditional linear models of time and recognizes the complexities of power structures in society. It can inform ethical decision-making by encouraging individuals to examine their past experiences, consider the fluid nature of bodies and relationships, and acknowledge the interconnectedness of all people.
How might queer temporality inform ethical decision-making when life is understood as a series of discontinuities and nonlinear experiences?
Queer temporality refers to the conceptualization of time that recognizes the existence of multiple temporalities beyond the linear progression of time commonly experienced by cisgendered individuals. This understanding of time suggests that people may experience different rhythms and patterns of time based on their identities, cultural backgrounds, and lived experiences.