The concept of impermanence is widely recognized within Buddhist philosophy as one of its central tenets; however, it has also been explored by thinkers outside of this tradition, including those who identify as queer. Queer theorists often emphasize the fluid nature of gender and sexuality, suggesting that there are multiple ways to understand these concepts beyond traditional binary categorizations. This understanding has led many to reject the idea of permanence altogether, embracing instead an ethics of flux and change. Impermanence can be seen as a way to challenge normative views of identity, relationships, and desire. In this article, I will explore how impermanence can offer new possibilities for thinking about queerness and ethics.
Impermanence challenges the notion of permanence, which is typically associated with heteronormativity. Traditional Western societies tend to view heterosexuality as natural or essential, something that exists independently of culture or social norms.
Queer theory recognizes that gender and sexuality are constructed in relation to power structures and that they vary across time and space. This perspective leads to an understanding of identity as always changing, never fixed. As Jasbir Puar writes, "Queerness demands a refusal of sameness." By embracing the fluidity of gender and sexuality, queer individuals resist the idea that certain identities are more legitimate than others. They refuse to be pigeonholed into predetermined categories and instead seek out new ways of being.
Impermanence allows us to see the interconnectedness of all things. Many Buddhist traditions suggest that nothing in the world is permanent; everything changes constantly. This viewpoint helps us to recognize the interdependence between all living beings. We are not separate from one another but rather connected through complex networks of relationships. Queer theorists have extended this insight to argue that there is no clear distinction between self and other, subject and object. Michel Foucault, for example, describes our relationship to others as a "fissure" that opens up a possibility for connection and exchange. In this way, we can see our partners as part of ourselves rather than separate entities.
Impermanence enables us to imagine new possibilities for intimacy and desire. If we accept that all things change, then we can also accept that our desires may shift over time. Instead of seeking stable, predictable relationships, we might embrace the unpredictability of love and sex. We might focus on the present moment, valuing what is available now rather than trying to hold onto what was or could be. Eroticism becomes less about ownership and more about pleasure and exploration. In this sense, it becomes possible to challenge normative ideas about monogamy, heterosexual marriage, and family structures.
Embracing impermanence encourages us to reject binary thinking. Binary opposites such as male/female or straight/gay often reinforce each other by creating an imagined center around which they revolve. By challenging these dichotomies, we open up space for new ways of being in the world.
Non-binary genders do not fit neatly into either category but exist outside of them; similarly, many queers reject the idea that sexuality must be defined by one label or another. Queer theorist Judith Butler argues that we should resist reifying identities, instead seeing them as always in flux. This approach allows us to recognize the multiplicity of human experience and to appreciate how identity is formed through social interaction.
Impermanence offers a way to engage with death and mortality without fear. Many religions emphasize the importance of living a good life so that we can be rewarded after death; however, Buddhist philosophy suggests that nothing lasts forever and that our desires will eventually dissipate. Instead of clinging to things that cannot endure, we can accept their transience and find joy in the present moment. This perspective can be liberating because it enables us to live fully rather than constantly worrying about what comes next. It also helps us to see death as part of the natural cycle of life rather than something to be feared.
Impermanence can offer new possibilities for ethical thought within the context of queerness. By embracing change and fluidity, we challenge normative ideas about gender, sexuality, intimacy, and desire. We can see ourselves and others as interconnected rather than separate entities, allowing us to build relationships based on mutual respect and care. Impermanence offers a path forward beyond binaries and rigid categories, encouraging us to embrace complexity and unpredictability.
What ethical meanings can be found in the queer embrace of impermanence and flux?
The term "queer" has been used as an umbrella term for people who identify with nontraditional sexual orientations and gender identities since the 1980s. Queer theory is an academic discipline that critiques heteronormativity, which refers to the assumption that all people are straight and cisgender (identify with their birth sex). Queer theory suggests that there are many ways of being human beyond traditional binary categories.