There has been increased attention to the importance of remembering queer experiences and history. This is due to the recognition that such memories are vital for understanding how societies have changed and developed over time, as well as for recognizing marginalized voices within those societies.
Historians of LGBTQ+ people have argued that memory studies are crucial to uncovering how queer identities were formed in the past.
Some argue that focusing solely on memories can obscure important historical developments because they often reflect the dominant narratives of powerful groups. In this context, it becomes necessary to consider how forgetting queer experience can become embodied in generations and what role retrieval might play in both therapy and future‑making for marginalized communities.
One way that forgetting occurs is through the normalization of heteronormativity in families and institutions. Heterosexuality and cisgenderism become the default norm and any deviation from these expectations are seen as abnormal or deviant. As a result, queer individuals may internalize negative messages about their sexual orientation or gender identity, leading them to suppress their own experiences and memories. They may also be subjected to ridicule, bullying, or even violence if they come out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, or questioning (LGBTNQ) individuals. This erasure of queer experience can lead to emotional trauma, which may manifest itself in physical symptoms or mental health issues. Therefore, it is essential to recognize that remembering queer experience can be therapeutic for LGBTQ+ individuals who have experienced such traumas.
There are also ways in which forgetting can function positively for marginalized communities.
When a community is able to create new narratives around its history, it can help to challenge dominant narratives that exclude or marginalize them. By remembering their own stories, members of oppressed groups can empower themselves and build a sense of solidarity with each other.
These remembrances can serve as models for future activists who seek to change society's views on sexuality and gender. In this way, retrieving forgotten queer experiences becomes a form of future‑making by enabling people to imagine alternative possibilities for themselves and their communities.
Both remembering and forgetting queer experience play important roles in shaping our understanding of societies and ourselves. While memory studies have been criticized for privileging certain voices over others, they remain vital tools for exploring how histories are constructed and reconstructed over time. As such, we must consider not only what gets remembered but also what gets forgotten if we want to fully appreciate the complexities of human experience.
In what ways does the forgetting of queer experience become embodied in generations, and how might retrieval function as both therapy and future‑making for marginalized communities?
Forgetting of queer experiences is not only a trauma but also leads to loss of one's identity and sense of belongingness in the society due to the lack of acceptance from others. This can be seen in generations where people are unable to embrace their true selves, leading to internalized homophobia or transphobia. Retrieving these memories through therapy can help individuals reclaim their identity and gain confidence to live freely as who they truly are.