To encourage debate about all dimensions of queer life

Sunday, 16 September 2007

A few colleagues

This is a few colleagues who presented papers at the Lesbian Lives conference 2007, Dublin. Papers included a look at Queer Theory in Practice, Deleuze and Guattari, Anarchism and Queer Politics, Transgendered Political Spectrum, Conscious Raising Feminisms, HD and the Pool Group, and LGBT Activism in Portugal. The group from University of Leeds organised two panels, which encouraged a lively debate around the problems with identity politics and the potential of queer politics to overcome these shortfalls. However, the counter argument was just as valid in relation to political climates other than those of the UK and the US. Has "queer" turned into a euphemism for LGBT theory and activism?

1 comment:

cris said...

hi hon, congratulations on your new blog. sounds like i'll be visiting u a lot! ;)
About your question, not sure about 'euphemism' - instead, I guess queer is now used more as a catch-word - the (in)famous umbrella - which is up to us to embrace and proudly use to designate whatever is against heteronormativity and (hetero)sexism.
So, I guess queer is more easily defined for what it is against - a warrior of resistance - rather than for what it is all about.
Not sure what all the CIGS gang (and others!) think, but it is wonderful that you created this opportunity for discussion. Cheers!

zowie.davy@ntlworld.com