Queer identity is a term used to describe individuals who do not identify themselves within traditional gender norms or the heteronormative framework. This can include people who are transgender, nonbinary, intersex, pansexual, and more. It is important to understand that this identity is not fixed but rather fluid. By understanding that identities can be fluid, it challenges essentialist, binary, and institutional frameworks.
Essentialist frameworks assume that there is a set of characteristics that define an individual's identity.
When one considers queer identity as fluid, it becomes clear that these essentialist frameworks are flawed because they fail to account for the many different ways in which individuals may experience their identities.
A person who was assigned female at birth may later realize that they identify as male or nonbinary. Similarly, a person who was raised in a religious community may eventually come to terms with their atheism or agnosticism. These shifts in identity challenge the idea that there are certain essential truths about human nature.
Binary frameworks also tend to be problematic when applied to queer identities. Binary thinking assumes that there are only two options for each characteristic - for instance, male/female, black/white, straight/gay. When we consider queer identity as fluid, however, we recognize that there are many more options available to us beyond just those two extremes. Non-binary individuals may feel that neither masculine nor feminine descriptions fit them perfectly; instead, they might use neutral pronouns like "they" or create new pronouns entirely.
Bisexuality exists outside of the binary gender system since it recognizes attraction to both men and women (or nonbinary people). This challenges the assumption that all sexualities must fit into the heterosexual/homosexual paradigm.
Institutional frameworks can also benefit from understanding queer identity as fluid. Institutions such as marriage have historically been defined by traditional gender roles and norms. By expanding our understanding of what constitutes a family unit, institutions can become more inclusive. In addition, schools can acknowledge the existence of gender identities other than male or female and provide support systems for transgender students who may need it. Workplaces should understand that there is no one way to express oneself in the workplace and offer flexibility regarding dress codes and pronouns.
Conceptualizing queer identity as fluid challenges essentialist, binary, and institutional frameworks because it acknowledges that identity is not static but rather dynamic and complex. By doing so, we can better serve the needs of marginalized communities and promote greater equity in society.