Queer temporality refers to the concept that time is experienced differently for people who identify as queer due to their unique perspectives on gender, sexuality, and identity. This experience has significant implications for how they approach life planning, anticipation, and the valuation of experience.
Life Planning
Planning for the future requires an understanding of the present moment, which can be difficult when living outside traditional societal norms. Queer individuals may face discrimination, marginalization, and oppression that make it challenging to plan for stability, security, and success.
Queer temporalities encourage them to live in the present and focus on immediate needs, prioritizing freedom, creativity, and self-expression.
Instead of saving money for retirement, they might prioritize artistic projects or travel experiences. These decisions are informed by their belief that the past does not determine their worth and that life is too short to waste in pursuit of financial goals alone.
Anticipation involves imagining potential futures and preparing for them. In mainstream culture, this often involves following a linear path towards career advancement, marriage, family, and material possessions.
Many queer individuals reject these conventions and embrace unconventional paths that emphasize personal growth, community building, and non-monetary achievements. They may plan to start a business, join a commune, or create a social movement. These choices are shaped by their belief that they do not need to conform to heteronormative expectations but can choose their own paths based on what brings meaning and fulfillment.
Valuation of Experience
Experiences are valued differently depending on how one perceives time and its passing. Queer temporality encourages valuing experience over material objects because it recognizes the fleeting nature of time and the importance of living in the moment. This leads to a greater appreciation for intangible things like emotions, relationships, memories, and knowledge. It also pushes individuals to seek out experiences that challenge traditional definitions of success, such as volunteering, activism, and adventure travel. By placing less emphasis on accumulation and more on immersion, queer temporalities encourage people to live richly rather than simply survive.
In what ways can queer temporality inform ethical practices around life planning, anticipation, and the valuation of experience?
Queer temporality is a term used to describe the unique experiences of individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and more). This term encompasses a wide range of perspectives on time, including those who may feel out of sync with traditional linear narratives of progress and growth or who see time as cyclical rather than linear.