The term "global north" refers to countries like the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, etc., while "global south" encompasses nations such as India, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, China, Russia, etc. According to Wikipedia, the term was coined in 1984 by an academic named Walden Bello from the Philippines. He argued that countries in the Global South were exploited and dominated by the Global North in terms of their natural resources, economics, and culture. The global South is characterized by its heterogeneity and diversity, including different cultures, religions, languages, ethnicities, political systems, and ways of life. Queer resilience and adaptation refer to strategies used by queer individuals to survive in hostile environments where they are often marginalized due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Queer resilience and adaptation have been documented among people living in the global South for centuries.
Queer communities in ancient Greece had to hide their identities to avoid persecution, while queer Africans had to find creative ways to express themselves during colonialism when homosexuality was outlawed. Queers in the South also faced violence and discrimination during the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which affected them disproportionately. Despite these challenges, queer communities in the South continued to thrive and adapt to their surroundings through code-switching and other means.
One example of this is the emergence of drag balls in Harlem, New York City, around World War II. African American men who dressed up in feminine clothing to dance with each other, called "walking" in the streets, became known as "drag queens." These performers created a vibrant subculture that celebrated blackness and queerness despite racism and homophobia. Drag balls were held at private venues like clubs and apartments and featured contests such as "Miss Coca-Cola," "Miss Dixie Cup," and "Walk of Fame." This led to the creation of the ballroom scene, which continues today. In addition to celebrating queer culture, the balls provided economic opportunities for low-income individuals.
Another example is the ballroom scene in Puerto Rico, which emerged in the 1980s in response to the AIDS crisis. The community developed its own slang language, music, fashion, and social norms, such as the use of "shade," where insults are used playfully to show respect. Ballrooms in the global South often feature more diverse performances than those in the North because they reflect local cultural influences.
Latin American ballrooms may include salsa dancing or capoeira martial arts.
The global North can learn from the resilience and adaptation of the global South's queer communities by recognizing their contributions to society. Governments should provide resources to support these communities and fight discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Companies should be encouraged to hire LGBTQ+ individuals, who bring valuable perspectives to the workplace.
Schools should teach students about the history of queer people of color, highlighting how they have overcome adversity to succeed. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive world that values all forms of human expression.
What does the global South teach the global North about queer resilience and adaptation?
The global South can teach the global North about the importance of community and family support for queer individuals' resilience and adaptation. In many parts of the world, the nuclear family is the main source of support for an individual, which means that they are often isolated from any other sources of social interaction outside their immediate relatives.