The concept of selfhood is often understood as being rooted in stability, constancy, and permanence.
Some scholars have argued that selfhood cannot be conceived without also considering the process of constant change, transformation, and evolution. In fact, they suggest that the very nature of human existence involves an ongoing process of becoming, and that the notion of a fixed or static self is illusory. This view has been particularly prevalent within queer theory, which emphasizes the fluidity of identity and the importance of embracing all forms of difference and diversity.
One influential scholar, Judith Butler, argues that gender and sexuality are socially constructed categories that are constantly in flux and cannot be reduced to binary oppositions such as male/female or heterosexual/homosexual. Rather, she suggests that these categories are always shifting and changing, as individuals navigate the various social, cultural, and political forces that shape their identities. This perspective challenges traditional ideas about the inherent nature of sex, gender, and sexuality, and encourages us to see them as contingent and context-dependent rather than fixed and immutable. Another scholar, Jack Halberstam, goes further still by suggesting that even the distinction between 'male' and 'female' is an artificial construct imposed by society, and that many people exist outside this binary. Instead, he advocates for a more expansive understanding of gender that includes transgender, intersex, nonbinary, and other marginalized identities.
This notion of perpetual becoming also extends beyond gender and sexuality to encompass broader aspects of life. Some have argued that the pursuit of 'completeness' or 'wholeness' is ultimately futile, as it implies a desire for stability and permanence that is impossible to achieve in a world characterized by change and impermanence. Instead, they suggest that selfhood should be understood as an ongoing process of transformation and growth, where we continually adapt and evolve in response to new experiences and perspectives. In this view, the essence of queerness may not lie in some static, essential quality but in the very act of becoming itself.
One might embrace a fluid sense of identity that is constantly shaped by different influences and experiences, or engage in practices such as polyamory or open relationships that prioritize exploration, experimentation, and flexibility over rigid rules and conventions. These approaches can allow individuals to break free from traditional norms and expectations, and explore new ways of relating to themselves and others that challenge conventional understandings of sex and intimacy.
Of course, this perspective is not without its critics, who argue that embracing constant flux can lead to confusion and instability, or undermine the importance of stable relationships and commitments. Nonetheless, it remains an important contribution to contemporary discourse around human nature, identity, and social norms, offering a more nuanced and complex understanding of what it means to be human in an ever-changing world.
The notion of perpetual becoming challenges traditional ideas about the stability and immutability of selfhood, and encourages us to see ourselves and our identities as dynamic, emergent, and always in flux.
Is selfhood ever complete, or is perpetual becoming the essence of queerness?
In the context of contemporary discourse on gender and sexuality, queerness has been defined as an identity that challenges normative understandings of gender and sexuality. This means that rather than simply conforming to traditional ideas about binary genders and sexualities, individuals who identify as queer embrace non-conformity and openness to change.