Queerness is an umbrella term used to describe individuals who do not conform to traditional gender roles or sexual identities. It encompasses a wide range of identities that may include but are not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, intersex, asexual, demisexual, pansexual, and questioning individuals. This article will explore how queerness can liberate ethics from the burden of progress and instead focus on the ethics of becoming.
The concept of time has been central to the study of morality since ancient times. Traditional moral frameworks often rely heavily on linear concepts of time, where progress is seen as an unquestionable good and the future is assumed to be better than the present.
This way of thinking can be problematic for marginalized communities whose experiences have been marginalized or erased from history. Queerness challenges this dominant narrative by emphasizing the importance of the past, present, and future simultaneously. By focusing on the ethics of becoming rather than progress, queer temporality can challenge power structures and offer new ways of thinking about relationships, intimacy, and sex.
One way in which queer temporality can challenge traditional ethical frameworks is through its focus on embodiment. Embodied ethics prioritizes the physical experience of one's body and emotions over abstract principles. In a society that often devalues queer bodies, the ability to focus on bodily pleasure can be revolutionary.
The kink community has long used bondage and discipline (BDSM) practices to reclaim their sexuality and challenge societal norms. BDSM practices involve the use of restraints, pain, and humiliation to create new forms of intimacy between partners. These acts are not necessarily meant to lead to orgasm but can instead be seen as a form of sensory exploration. This approach to sex and intimacy disrupts traditional ideas of what counts as "normal" or "healthy."
Another way in which queer temporality can liberate ethics is through its focus on collective resistance. Many queer individuals experience oppression based on their identities, making it difficult to separate their personal lives from political ones. As such, they often engage in activism that seeks to challenge systems of oppression beyond themselves. This type of activism may take many forms, including protesting for LGBTQ+ rights, participating in social movements for racial justice, or advocating for environmental sustainability. By centering collective action, queerness can offer new ways of thinking about how we relate to each other and the world around us.
Queer temporality can challenge dominant narratives by emphasizing intergenerational relationships. Queer elders have been instrumental in shaping contemporary understandings of queer identity and culture, yet their contributions have often been erased due to ageism and homophobia. Embracing an intergenerational model of queer temporality means valuing the wisdom and experiences of older generations while also recognizing the unique perspectives of younger ones. This approach can foster respectful communication and collaboration across generations, creating space for more nuanced discussions about sexuality and ethics.
Queerness offers a powerful alternative to traditional moral frameworks that prioritize progress over embodiment, collective action, and intergenerational connection. By challenging normative ideas about time, queerness can create new spaces for exploration, experimentation, and radical imagination. By focusing on the ethics of becoming rather than progress, queer temporality has the potential to transform our understanding of morality and open up exciting possibilities for future ethical practices.
How might queer temporality liberate ethics from the burden of progress and instead focus on the ethics of becoming?
The concept of queer temporality suggests that time is not linear, but rather circular, nonlinear, and interwoven with other forms of space. In this perspective, time does not exist as a series of events unfolding chronologically; it exists simultaneously and connects different spaces and moments.