The notion of queerness has been defined as the experience of discomfort that accompanies being outside the normative gender system (Weston, 2019). Queer theory refers to an interdisciplinary field of study examining society's relationship to social categories such as gender, race, class, and sexuality (Duggan & Rubin, 2003). Recently, transparency has emerged as a dominant metaphor for queer identity formation, which emphasizes visibility and authenticity (Weston, 2019).
This conceptualization may not be sufficient to account for the increasing complexity and fluidity of identities in the digital age. This article explores potential future metaphors beyond transparency and their implications for visibility, vulnerability, and agency within queer discourse.
Transparent bodies are bodies without secrets, allowing others to see what is typically hidden (Warner, 20000). In contemporary queer culture, there is a push towards openness and honesty about one's gender and sexual orientation, particularly through online spaces like Tumblr and Twitter.
Transparency can also lead to exposure and exploitation (Butler, 1997), making it difficult for some individuals to feel safe or accepted. A new metaphor could challenge this assumption by prioritizing privacy and protection rather than exposure.
Instead of striving for complete visibility, people might adopt a 'cloaked' identity that allows them to remain hidden while still expressing themselves creatively or politically.
Networked identities are distributed across multiple platforms and communities, complicating attempts to pinpoint an individual's true self (Tsing, 2015). Instead of searching for a cohesive narrative, they embrace fragmentation and multiplicity (Rose, 1996). This approach challenges traditional notions of stability and fixed identity and recognizes that we are all made up of complex networks of relationships, experiences, and ideas. The next metaphor might focus on hybridization, acknowledging the interconnectedness and fluidity of our identities. People may choose to construct identities out of different pieces from various sources, blending elements from their personal and public lives in unexpected ways.
Visibility is essential for building community, but it comes with risks (Bell & Weston, 2018). The current obsession with authenticity can pressure people into revealing too much about themselves, leaving them vulnerable to judgment or attack (Weston, 2019). A future metaphor could emphasize agency over visibility, allowing people to determine what aspects of their identities they share and how. This would require rethinking who has the power to define and police queer identities, potentially shifting away from mainstream media and toward marginalized voices. It would also encourage more nuanced conversations about safety and consent within queer spaces, recognizing that some information should be kept private for protection.
As queerness becomes increasingly complex and network-embedded, the notion of transparency may no longer be sufficient to account for identity formation. Potential new metaphors beyond transparency prioritize privacy, multiplicity, and agency while still valuing visibility. These concepts hold philosophical implications for visibility, vulnerability, and agency within queer discourse, highlighting the need for inclusivity and respect. As we move towards a distributed future, these metaphors can help us navigate the challenges and possibilities of an ever-changing world.
References:
Bell, J., & Weston, M. (2018). Queer theory: An introduction. New York, NY: Routledge.
Butler, J. (1997). Excitable speech: A politics of the performative. New York, NY: Routledge.
Duggan, L., & Rubin, G. (Eds.). (2003). Lesbian cultures. New York, NY: Columbia University Press.
Rose, G. (1996). Sexuality in the field of vision. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press.
Tsing, A. L. (2015). The mushroom at the end of the world: On the possibility of life in capitalist ruins. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Weston, M. (2019). Queer: A graphic history. London, UK: Icon Books.
Warner, M. (20000). The truth about transparency. In M. Warner (Ed.), Fear of difference: Queer politics and social theory (pp. 45–58). Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishers Inc.