As humans, we often face the existential question of death - how to deal with it, whether to accept it, and how to make sense of its meaning for ourselves. But while this is a universal experience, there are different cultural perspectives on death and dying that can shape our individual responses to it. One aspect that has been explored in recent scholarship is the intersection between queerness and mortality, specifically looking at how queer attitudes towards death may challenge heteronormative expectations around legacy and inheritance. This essay will examine how queer attitudes towards mortality resist the idea that the value of an individual's life should be measured through their ability to produce and pass down children, property, or cultural capital.
Let us define 'queer'. Queer refers to those who do not conform to traditional gender roles or sexual orientations, including but not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, intersex, pansexual, asexual, demisexual, polysexual, omnisexual, etc. In terms of mortality, this means individuals who reject the assumption that their lives have meaning only if they reproduce or contribute to society in a conventional way. Instead, many queer people place more emphasis on experiences such as relationships, creativity, community-building, personal growth, and self-expression.
Some non-binary individuals may feel pressure from family members to marry and have children, but instead choose to live independently and focus on their artistic pursuits. Some LGBTQ+ individuals may face discrimination and stigmatization throughout their lives, leading them to prioritize living authentically over maintaining status within mainstream society. These choices go against societal norms and challenge dominant ideas about what makes a good person or a successful life.
Straight cisgender people are often socialized to view having children as an essential part of their identity and purpose in life. They may see themselves as being responsible for carrying on their family name, passing on religious beliefs, and leaving behind a tangible legacy like property or wealth. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and stress around death, since their worth is tied up in these external markers rather than their individual experiences or relationships.
Even within heterosexual couples, there is variation in attitudes towards reproduction and inheritance. Some individuals may not want to have children at all while others prioritize creating a lasting impact through philanthropy or public service. The key distinction here is that heteronormative legacies rely on reproduction and cultural capital, while queer legacies tend to center intimacy, creativity, and social justice activism.
Queer attitudes toward mortality also subvert the idea that we should fear death and seek immortality through physical or spiritual means. Queer communities often celebrate the joys of the present moment without worrying about future generations or eternal life after death. They recognize that death is a natural part of life and embrace it as an opportunity for transformation and transcendence.
Some drag performers incorporate death into their art by using makeup and costumes inspired by ancient mythology or religious iconography. By embracing death's symbolic power, they challenge traditional ideas about how humans should live and die.
Queer attitudes towards mortality resist the heteronormative valorization of legacy by emphasizing individual experience, authenticity, and creativity over procreation and material wealth. They allow us to see beyond binary categories and explore new ways of living and dying that reject societal norms. While this perspective may be challenging for many people, it can offer a valuable alternative to the pressures of traditional gender roles and expectations around parenthood and property ownership.
In what ways do queer attitudes toward mortality resist the heteronormative valorization of legacy?
Queer attitudes towards mortality may reject conventional understandings of legacy as being solely focused on creating a family lineage through reproduction. Instead, they may view legacy as encompassing all forms of social impact, such as artistic or creative pursuits, activism, and community building. This can lead to a rejection of traditional ideas of passing down familial inheritance and prioritizing more inclusive definitions of "family" that challenge dominant societal norms.