Social, Institutional, and Structural Mechanisms that Perpetuate Queer Scholarship Exclusion
Social, Institutional, and Structural Mechanisms that Perpetuate Queer Scholarship Exclusion
The term "queer" is used to describe people who do not identify with traditional gender norms or sexual identities. It encompasses various subgroups such as bisexual, lesbian, transgender, pansexual, asexual, demisexual, nonbinary, intersex, queer, questioning, gay, and others.
Despite these groups' diversity, they face similar challenges in accessing education and resources. This exclusion can be explained through social, institutional, and structural mechanisms.
Social Mechanisms
The exclusion of queer scholarship and epistemic contributions can stem from social mechanisms such as discrimination based on appearance, behavior, identity, language, and culture. This discrimination may manifest through microaggressions, bullying, harassment, marginalization, and other forms of oppression.
Some members of the LGBTQ+ community experience verbal abuse when talking about their identities, leading them to avoid sharing or discussing their experiences. In addition, heteronormative institutions create barriers for queer individuals by imposing strict codes of conduct, dress code, and policies. These restrictions limit queer voices, knowledge, and perspectives from entering mainstream spaces.
Institutional Mechanisms
Institutional mechanisms are also responsible for perpetuating queer scholarship exclusivity. Educational institutions and research facilities typically favor cisgender and heterosexual scholars because they constitute the majority. As a result, queer people may feel isolated, alienated, or discouraged from pursuing careers in academia.
There is a lack of representation of queer subjects in curriculum and pedagogies, which limits students' ability to learn about themselves and their communities. The same applies to job openings, where queer applicants might not be hired due to prejudice and bias against non-heteronormativity.
Structural Mechanisms
Structural mechanisms refer to systemic factors that exclude queer scholarship and epistemic contributions from society. These include legal, political, economic, cultural, and social structures such as marriage laws, employment practices, media representations, family dynamics, and religious beliefs. They all contribute to creating an environment hostile to diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, resulting in exclusionary practices.
Some countries criminalize homosexuality, making it difficult for LGBTQ+ individuals to express themselves freely without fear of persecution or violence. In other cases, transgender people face barriers when trying to change their legal documents, leading to limited access to healthcare, housing, and education.
Social, institutional, and structural mechanisms work together to exclude queer scholarship and knowledge production. To address this issue, educational and research institutions should prioritize diversity by promoting inclusive policies and providing support systems for marginalized groups. This includes implementing anti-discrimination measures, offering safe spaces, and creating resources that recognize the unique experiences of different identities. By doing so, we can create more equitable spaces for everyone to engage with education and knowledge creation.