The concept of queer temporality refers to the unique experience of time felt by individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. This differs from the typical linear progression of events that most people experience. Instead, queer temporality is often nonlinear, cyclical, and even recursive.
One might feel like they have lived through a past event before it has happened, or that they will live through an upcoming event after it has occurred. This can be disorienting and confusing for those unfamiliar with this way of experiencing time.
Queer temporality challenges the idea that human life should follow a predetermined path, such as getting married, having children, and working toward retirement. In contrast, queer individuals may find themselves feeling pulled toward nontraditional paths that deviate from these norms. They may engage in nonmonogamous relationships, seek out alternative forms of family structures, or pursue creative careers without regard for financial stability. These choices challenge the status quo and push back against societal expectations about how to live a fulfilling life.
Queer temporality resists the notion that progress always leads to improvement. The past, present, and future are all equally valid, and there is no inherent value placed on advancing towards a better tomorrow. Queer individuals may look to history for inspiration and guidance, rather than viewing it as something to be left behind. They may also embrace the present moment, recognizing its beauty and potential for connection, regardless of what the future holds.
Some argue that queer temporality reinforces existing power dynamics by perpetuating a cycle of resistance and oppression. By rejecting traditional social structures, queer individuals may inadvertently reinforce them by creating their own subculture that operates within these same systems.
Some queer communities have developed their own micro-economies based on sexual labor, which can exploit marginalized members who feel they must participate to remain part of the community. This suggests that queer temporality does not necessarily liberate but instead reproduces social hierarchies in new ways.
While queer temporality offers an alternative way of experiencing time, it is important to recognize the complexities and nuances involved in this experience. It challenges normative ideas about progression and improvement, but it cannot be seen as a simple rejection of the past or future. Instead, it requires careful consideration of the interconnectedness between different temporalities and how they shape our lives and relationships.
How does queer temporality resist the reproductive futurism that structures normative social life?
Queer temporality is often associated with a resistance against the hegemonic discourse of heteronormativity. This means that queer people challenge the dominant narratives of heterosexuality, cisgender identity, and linear time as they see it as oppressive and restrictive. Queer temporality resists the reproductive futurism that shapes normative social life by disrupting its binary, rigid, and fixed conceptions of time.