Queer theories have been widely acknowledged globally since the emergence of Gay Liberation Movements in the late twentieth century. They focus on exploring and challenging heteronormativity and cisnormativity in diverse social contexts. Indigenous peoples from all parts of the world including the global South experience unique circumstances that influence their understanding and expression of gender and sexuality. Many of these understandings are based on traditional practices and beliefs that emphasize spirituality and nature. This paper will discuss how Indigenous queer epistemologies contribute to global queer theory and how transnational alliances between global South queer movements can reshape queer study, activism, and aesthetics.
The study of queerness has become an important part of contemporary scholarship across different disciplines. Queer studies involve examining the societal norms surrounding sexual orientation, gender identity, and sexual behaviors beyond the hetero-cisgender binary. Global queer studies explore the diversity of queer experiences within non-Western cultures. The term "global" refers to the transnational movement and its impact on various regions such as Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Indigenous people who identify as queer or have non-heterosexual identities face multiple discriminations due to cultural expectations based on gender roles, religious beliefs, and other factors.
They also offer valuable insights into the complexity of human sexuality and intimacy through their unique perspectives.
Queer Indigenous epistemology is rooted in the belief that non-binary genders and sexualities exist since time immemorial. It challenges the idea that only cisgender male-female relationships are valid or desirable. Instead, it promotes diversity in sexual expressions, including polygamy, polyamory, same-sex relationships, and casual encounters. Indigenous peoples believe that sexual fluidity is natural, and sexuality should be explored freely without judgement. These views challenge the colonialist notions of heteronormativity and monogamy imposed by Western cultures during colonization.
Indigenous queer epistemologies provide a critical lens for understanding global queer theory. They highlight how Indigenous communities have always recognized diverse forms of gender and sexual expression beyond the binary.
The Quechua language has over thirty words for gender identity, including kawsay (masculine), qheyachuqha (feminine), waman (trans man), and many more. This acknowledges the fluidity and variability of gender identities among Indigenous populations. Similarly, Indigenous societies recognize various sexual orientations such as pan-sexuality, omnisexuality, and bisexuality, which embrace non-heterosexual identities.
Transnational alliances between global South queer movements can reshape queer study, activism, and aesthetics. By bringing together diverse voices from different parts of the world, these movements create a platform for sharing ideas, experiences, and strategies to address discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. The Global South is a significant contributor to queer studies due to its vast cultural diversity and rich history of LGBTQ+ experiences. These alliances can promote inclusivity in education, healthcare, politics, and other spheres of life.
They could advocate for policies that protect the rights of non-binary individuals, decriminalize same-sex relationships, and promote access to health services for transgender people.
Indigenous queer epistemologies contribute to global queer theory by promoting diversity, challenging colonialist notions of heteronormativity, and encouraging openness towards non-heterosexual identities. Transnational alliances between global South queer movements have potential to shape queer study, activism, and aesthetics positively. They can promote inclusivity, challenge oppression, and advocate for policy reforms to ensure equity and justice for all genders and sexualities.