Queer temporality is an area of study that explores how non-normative experiences of time, such as those associated with LGBTQ+ communities, challenge traditional understandings of temporal order and linear progression. Specifically, it examines how these alternative temporalities can offer insight into issues of morality, including continuity and rupture. In this essay, I will discuss three key aspects of queer temporality – past-ness, present-ness, and future-ness – and how they relate to moral continuity and rupture.
Past-ness:
Queer temporality challenges traditional ideas about the past by rewriting history to include marginalized voices and experiences.
Some scholars have argued that the Stonewall Riots of 1969 were a turning point for gay liberation because they signified a collective act of resistance against oppression, while others have criticized this narrative for erasing other important moments in the history of queerness. This tension between different interpretations of the past highlights the importance of considering multiple perspectives when evaluating moral continuity and rupture.
Present-ness:
In contrast to traditional views that prioritize a fixed present moment, queer temporality emphasizes the fluidity and multiplicity of experience.
Some studies suggest that gender is performative, meaning that it can change over time based on context and culture. This perspective raises questions about whether or not there are universal moral standards that apply across all times and places.
Queer temporality invites us to consider the ways in which power relations shape our understanding of what is "present" and who has agency in the present moment.
Future-ness:
Queer temporality envisions alternative futures that challenge normative assumptions about progress and linear progression.
Many LGBTQ+ activists argue for nonlinear models of social change that recognize the complexities of power dynamics and structural inequality. These models suggest that we cannot simply move forward in time towards an ideal future but must instead create new possibilities through intersectional coalitions and collaborative action. By challenging dominant narratives of progress, queer temporality offers insights into how morality is shaped by historical and cultural contexts.
Exploring queer temporality reveals the contingency and complexity of moral judgments. While traditional understandings of morality tend to rely on a static framework of past events leading to present realities that produce predictable outcomes, queer temporality suggests that moral continuity and rupture are dynamic processes that depend on multiple perspectives and experiences. As such, it encourages us to critically engage with our own beliefs and values while recognizing the inherent limitations of any one viewpoint.
What does queer temporality teach about moral continuity and rupture?
Queer temporality is an emerging field of study that challenges traditional understandings of time and identity in relation to LGBTQ+ communities. It posits that our sense of time is not fixed but rather fluid and contingent on social, cultural, and historical contexts. This concept emphasizes the importance of understanding how temporal experiences shape individual and collective identities and vice versa.