Queer temporality refers to the nonlinear and fluid experience of time that challenges traditional understandings of chronology and achievements in society. It has been observed in various fields such as art, literature, philosophy, and social theory and is characterized by its ability to break down rigid categorizations and binaries while questioning the normative expectations placed upon individuals based on their gender, race, class, sexuality, etc. One aspect that sets queer temporality apart from conventional temporalities is its disruption of life sequencing and achievement standards. This article explores how this occurs through the lens of different theories and examples.
Linearity vs Nonlinearity
In linear time, events are arranged in an orderly progression from past to present to future, with each moment building on the previous one towards a predetermined endpoint. On the other hand, nonlinear time is less predictable, with events occurring simultaneously or out of sequence. Queer temporality falls under the latter category and often involves circular rather than linear patterns of time.
In the play "Angels in America," written by Tony Kushner, characters' lives intertwine and overlap in unconventional ways, defying chronological continuity. As Belize puts it, "Time isn't linear. Time is simultaneous." (Kushner, 1993) This reflects the idea that people don't necessarily progress linearly from birth to death but rather have experiences that may occur at any point during their lifespan.
Disruptive Patterns
Queer temporality challenges traditional expectations surrounding individual success and failure. In contemporary society, we often view achievements as markers of status and progress, such as getting married, having children, graduating from college, acquiring wealth, climbing the corporate ladder, or retiring.
These metrics may not apply to everyone equally, especially those who identify as LGBTQ+. Their relationships, career paths, life choices, or struggles might differ significantly from heteronormative norms, making them feel like failures despite being successful in other areas. Take, for example, a transgender person transitioning later in life; they may be more likely to experience setbacks in terms of finances, family acceptance, or physical health due to societal discrimination yet still excel professionally or personally. Their non-traditional timeline doesn't align with conventional ideals, disrupting dominant narratives about life stages and accomplishments.
Temporal Fluidity
Queer temporality also blurs the distinction between past and present by allowing individuals to revisit past events or moments through memory, imagination, or technology.
Drag performances can bring forth nostalgia for previous eras while simultaneously creating new ones (Rofe & Barber, 2019). Similarly, virtual reality allows people to travel back in time and relive past memories, questioning what constitutes "the real." These experiences complicate our understanding of linearity and suggest that time is neither fixed nor constant but rather constantly changing according to personal perception.
Queer temporality defies traditional chronological sequencing and achievement standards by challenging the notion that there is one correct way of living and progressing through life. It offers an alternative perspective on time that highlights its fluidity, circularity, and subjectivity. As we continue exploring this concept, it becomes clear that our conception of time is not as rigid as we once thought and that multiple temporalities coexist simultaneously.
In what ways does queer temporality disrupt conventional understandings of chronological life sequencing and normative achievement?
Queer temporality is characterized by nonconformity with standard temporal sequences that are often associated with heteronormativity and capitalist productivity. It challenges the idea that time is linear and sequential, instead viewing it as cyclical, simultaneous, and fluid.