MDSA01H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: David M. Halperin, Queer Theory, Cherry Smith
Document Summary
"queer is by definition whatever is at odds with the normal, the legitimate, the dominant. There is nothing in particular to which it necessarily refers" (david halperin, 1995, p. 62). "queer articulates a radical questioning of social and cultural norms, notions of gender, reproductive sexuality and the family" (cherry smith, 2002, p. 28). Google images will pull up photos of predominantly - if not only - heterosexual couples: this is an example of heteronormativity. Some people believe homophobes are hidden homosexuals - some studies actually support this. "closet" gays who do excessively discriminate against the gay community are often doing so to conform to heteronormativity and hide their homosexuality, emphasizing the danger of heteronormativity. "bystander effect": situations in which individuals do not offer any help to a victim of violence when other people are present. "in october of 2002, the gang rape of an unconscious 15-year-old girl took place at an out of control party.
