Temporality is a concept that relates to time and its passage. It encompasses how people perceive and experience the flow of time, including their expectations for the future and memories of the past. Queer theory proposes that temporalities can be nonlinear, discontinuous, or even cyclical. This challenges traditional linear notions of time progress and aging processes.
Some queer theories argue that gender identities are fluid and changeable throughout life, rather than being fixed at birth. Similarly, queer concepts of temporality question the idea that sexual orientation or identity is static and unchanging. They suggest that sexual desires may evolve and shift throughout life, defying conventional ideas about progression from heterosexuality to homosexuality.
Queer temporalities challenge traditional narratives of continuity. These narratives often focus on a linear sequence of events leading up to a climax or resolution, with each event building upon the previous one. Queer temporalities, however, might interrogate this orderliness, instead highlighting moments of rupture or disruption.
Queer artists have created films that emphasize jumps in time, abrupt shifts in perspective, and unconventional pacing. These techniques defy traditional narrative structures and instead suggest a more fragmented approach to storytelling.
Queer temporalities also challenge traditional ideas about age and aging. Many cultures value youthfulness, while older ages are seen as less valuable. Queer perspectives, on the other hand, often prioritize individual experiences over societal norms. Some queer thinkers argue that age does not necessarily correlate with wisdom or maturity, and that people should embrace their own unique journeys regardless of age. In sum, queer concepts of temporality push back against convention ideas about progress, continuity, and aging. They suggest that time can be experienced differently by different individuals and that there are multiple ways to understand our place in the world.
How do queer concepts of temporality challenge conventional ideas about life progression, aging, and narrative continuity?
Queer concepts of temporality challenge conventional ideas by destabilizing linear, sequential models of time that privilege progress over repetition and disruption. Queerness often involves exploring nontraditional ways of living, challenging gender norms, and resisting heteronormativity, all of which require rethinking how we experience time and what temporal structures we prioritize.