Queerness is a fluid concept that challenges normative understandings of gender and sexuality. It involves the rejection of dominant power structures and the creation of new ways of being in the world that center marginalized identities and experiences. Queerness also encompasses a range of political and social struggles for liberation, from LGBTQ+ rights to intersectional feminist movements.
Queer lives are often shaped by oppressive forces that seek to control and repress their expression. This paper explores how temporality can be reclaimed as a space of resistance and self-creation within queer communities.
Time is a central structuring force in most people's lives, but it takes on different meanings within queer contexts. For many queer individuals, time itself feels structured against them, limiting their ability to live freely and express themselves fully. This can lead to feelings of isolation, alienation, and loss of identity. In response, some queer folks turn towards creative practices like performance art or music to subvert dominant temporalities and claim autonomy over their own bodies and selves. Others may find solace in alternative forms of community building, such as collectives or online spaces, which offer opportunities for solidarity and support outside mainstream institutions.
To truly flourish in the face of these constraints, queers must reclaim time as their own. This means breaking free from rigid structures imposed by capitalism, patriarchy, white supremacy, and other systems of domination. It requires creating new ways of living together that prioritize relationships based on care and mutual respect rather than exploitation and hierarchy. Queer temporality can be seen as a site where this work can take place, offering a chance to build an alternative future through collective action. By reimagining what counts as valuable in society and refusing to accept oppression, we open up possibilities for self-expression and liberation beyond conventional norms.
Queer futures require more than simply rejecting existing power relations; they also demand the creation of new ones. This involves challenging dominant narratives about progress and growth, which often reinforce harmful social structures. Instead, we should focus on imagining different worlds where everyone has access to resources, agency, and dignity. Queer communities have already begun this work through projects like queer zines, DIY spaces, and community gardens that promote sustainability and resilience. These efforts highlight how queerness is not just about individual identity but about collective struggle against systemic violence.
Reclaiming time as a space of resistance and self-creation is critical for queer lives today. Through creative practices and collaborative forms of community building, we can disrupt dominant temporalities and create new pathways towards liberation. By centering marginalized identities and experiences, we build stronger bonds between ourselves and our world, opening up possibilities for radical change.
What does it mean to live a queer life when time itself feels structured against queer flourishing, and how can temporality be reclaimed as a space of resistance and self-creation?
Living a queer life may involve challenging normative concepts such as gender roles and sexual orientation that are deeply embedded in societal structures like time, which is often perceived as linear and unchanging. This can lead to feelings of alienation and isolation for those who do not conform to these traditional expectations.