In contemporary Western society, there is a growing recognition that individuals are not just born into their gender or sexual identity but have agency to choose how they identify themselves.
Despite this progressive view, many still believe that certain institutions, such as schools, families, workplaces, and governments, continue to exercise control over those who deviate from traditional heteronormative standards. This paper will explore these controlling mechanisms and how queer bodies resist them, with particular attention paid to the ways LGBTQ+ people navigate institutional expectations related to gender expression and sexual activity.
Control Mechanisms
One way institutions exert control over queer bodies is through the enforcement of binary gender norms.
Schools often mandate dress codes that require students to wear clothes associated with either masculine or feminine genders; failure to comply can result in disciplinary action. Similarly, employers may demand that employees adhere to strict codes of behavior, which can be problematic for those whose identities do not conform to conventional gender roles.
Governments can enact laws restricting access to healthcare services, such as reproductive care, hormone therapy, or transition-related surgery, for transgender individuals, thereby limiting their ability to express their gender identity.
Resistance
Queer bodies have developed various strategies to resist these controlling mechanisms. Some opt to defy societal expectations by intentionally violating gender norms through clothing choices or body modification. Others form support groups to provide each other with emotional and practical assistance navigating oppressive environments. Still others advocate for legal changes that protect their rights to self-expression and autonomy. In terms of sexuality, many engage in acts considered taboo by mainstream society, such as polyamory or BDSM, while others participate in activist movements calling for a more inclusive understanding of sexuality.
How do institutions exert control over queer bodies, and what forms of resistance emerge?
Institutional control over queer bodies manifests through various means such as laws, policies, norms, and practices that limit and regulate sexuality and gender identity. This includes prohibitions on same-sex relationships, discrimination in employment, healthcare, housing, education, and other areas of life.