The concept of queer temporality is closely related to the theory of "queer" or "non-normative" identities, which challenges traditional binary categories such as male/female, heterosexual/homosexual, cisgender/transgender, etc. Queer temporalities reject the notion that time progresses in a linear fashion from past to present to future, instead arguing for more fluid, cyclical, or nonlinear ways of understanding time. This rejection has implications for how we understand moral assumptions about life trajectories, development, and coherence.
Linear development and coherence
In many societies, there are cultural expectations around what constitutes a normal life trajectory: people are expected to grow up, get married, have children, retire, and eventually die. These expectations assume a linear progression from youth to adulthood to old age, with each stage being characterized by different roles and responsibilities. Queer temporalities challenge this view, suggesting that there may be multiple paths through life that do not necessarily fit into a neat chronological sequence.
Someone might experience periods of stagnation or regression before moving forward again, or might skip certain stages altogether.
Someone who comes out later in life may have already lived a life that fits the traditional narrative, but then experiences a shift in their identity and begins to live differently. Their previous relationships may no longer make sense, and they may need to start over in new ones. Similarly, someone who is transgender may feel trapped within a gender role assigned at birth but may only transition later in life, causing them to experience different stages of life simultaneously.
Implications for morality
The linear conception of time can also lead us to judge others based on where they fall along that timeline.
If someone is "behind" in some way (such as not having reached a particular milestone like marriage), they may be seen as less mature or responsible than those who have achieved it. This can create moral judgments about whether they deserve respect, love, or other forms of support. By contrast, queer temporalities suggest that we should not assign value to individuals based on their current position in time but instead recognize that everyone's path is unique and valid.
Life trajectory
Queer temporality can also question assumptions about how one's life will unfold over time. Many people have expectations around what kinds of events or experiences are likely to happen during various stages of life, such as getting married, having children, or retiring from work. Queer temporalities reject these predictions, suggesting that there is no inherent order to our lives - anything could happen at any point.
Example: Death and dying
One area where this becomes particularly relevant is with death and dying. In many societies, death is expected to come after old age, which often corresponds to the final stage of the traditional life cycle.
Anyone can die at any time, regardless of their age or health status. Queer temporalities challenge the assumption that death must come last by showing that it can occur randomly and unpredictably.
Coherence
Queer temporality also questions the idea that our identities and actions must make sense together as part of a coherent narrative. In some cases, people may experience seemingly contradictory feelings, thoughts, or behaviors simultaneously, leading them to feel like they do not fit into a neat storyline.
Someone might be attracted to both men and women at different points in their life, or might identify as transgender while living as cisgender for years before coming out. This challenges the idea that we should always know ourselves well enough to predict our future actions based on our past ones.
Queer temporality offers an alternative way of understanding time and morality, emphasizing the fluidity, cyclicity, and nonlinearity of human existence. By challenging traditional linear assumptions about progress and development, it invites us to reconsider how we judge others' worthiness, prioritize certain stages of life over others, and expect consistency from individuals.
How does queer temporality challenge conventional moral assumptions about linear development, coherence, and life trajectory?
Queer temporality is a concept that challenges traditional ideas of time, particularly those related to morals and development. It questions the idea that there is only one way to live, grow, and develop as an individual, suggesting instead that multiple paths can be taken and that these may not follow a straight line.