Gender norms and the "closet" in Queer Theory Now

In one of my classes I am taking this semester, titled “Queer Theory” we read an excerpt from a book called Queer Theory Now. I thought the fifth chapter of Queer Theory Now was really interesting as it talked about the notion of coming out of the closet, and when did this idea of “closet” become a concept in our society. In the text, there was a focus on the views of Judith Butler, who is an American philosopher and gender theorist. Butler takes a post- structuralist approach to sex, gender, and sexuality with a goal of deconstructing the relationship between these categories and problematizing normative models of identity.

I found Butler’s views on gender particularly interesting as Butler notes that the term “woman” or “man” does not refer to a singular, coherent or stable identity category. Butler discusses the relationship between sex, gender and sexuality, and states that the heterosexual matrix tells us that if a person is assigned female at birth, which would be their sex, then they should grow up to be a feminine woman with feminine characteristics, which is where gender comes into play; therefore her desire will be directed towards a man, or in other words, the opposite gender will be attracted, which is ultimately sexuality. I agree with Butler’s views, as society tells us that these three factors of sex, gender and sexuality should be aligned. This model and pattern explains that heterosexuality is the natural and “correct” option, which ultimately confuses the gender binary. I think this is an idea that we are taught early on in life, either consciously or subconsciously, and this can contribute to a lot of confusion when thinking about queer theory, such as transgender, bisexual, and so on.

It was also noted that when we see this pattern repeated over a length of time, we come to see this as normal and natural, which makes perfect sense, and this may be the reason as to why there is so much pushback in terms of homosexuality and others forms of sexuality and gender, because it doesn’t align with this pattern that we are taught is “right.” Gender can be culturally constructed, which reinforces this one-sided view. It was interesting to read that from Butler’s point of view, gender is a combination of expressions from one’s own personal identity. Gender doesn’t necessarily define you, in that it can be more fluid in how you choose to express yourself.

I also found interesting the different ways in which gender was described, especially the idea of gender performativity, being “the mundane way in which bodily gestures, movements, and enactments of various kinds constitute the illusion of an abiding gendered self.” This type of performance will express gender that may or may not align with one’s sex, which I think is an important idea to recognize and understand. It was also noted that certain acts such as drag push these gender norms, and society creates this idea of this being wrong because it doesn’t fall within the typical gender pattern. There is this focus of undoing these normative conceptions of sex and gendered life. I think it is not only interesting but important to dig deep and undo these gender norms, because with these gender norms present, many individuals find themselves as not fitting into a category, and can feel lost and confused as a result.

I think these cultural implications have caused individuals to “come out of the closet” because they are going against what society views as natural. This idea is present in my internship, as certain individuals have chosen to express their gender in different ways than their sex. There is one individual whose sex is female, yet she chooses her gender to be what is defined as more masculine. Reading the chapter was very interesting as how these concepts were explained, and how this information correlates with my internship.

Kelly McCabe, WGS Intern