Definition of Queer in Relation to Gender and Sexuality - Essay Example

The theory seeks to address the definition of identities of different people who choose to hold onto values that society considers abnormal. Queer defines any behavior, act or approach related to gender, sex, sexuality and feminism that contradicts what society considers normal. The existing gender system is highly regarded by society and the normal class comprises only those who conform to societal values attached to gender. Society uses gender to define different aspects of sexuality. The current gender system faces some challenges because it is binary.

One can only be male or female. The aspect of being male or female is used to judge the behavior of an individual as either acceptable in society or not. This brings about the issue of being normal, which is criticized by Warner. Warner challenges the need of homosexuals and transsexuals to receive a ‘normal’ tag from society. Currently, as a matter of fact, society only considers heterosexuals. The gay and lesbians in society face defamation and rejection. Society norms insist that they break the very rules of nature that should remain unbroken.

They belong to a third gender, probably, because they defy the rules of the binary gender system that society esteems. Michael Warner challenges the use of the term ‘queer’ which, in his opinion, should be referred to those individuals who claim that sexuality is irrelevant but still strive to be regarded as normal. According to Warner’s critique, the society should reconsider the standards of what qualifies to be normal. He further challenges homosexuals and their Queer theory in a bid to receive the normal tag.

According to him, issues of being normal or not only came about when man could keep statistics. Statistics of different aspects have led to determination of a normal value for such an aspect. A variety was acceptable in society before. Logically, each one of us deviates from the normal standards of a society in one way or another. Therefore, deviation from the norm should not give rise to shame, rebellion or self-defense. On top of that, Warner argues that society should not condemn to rejection and stigmatization those deviating from the norm (48).

Bornstein, on the other hand, blames the stigma attached to those deviating from the societal norm which insists on the binary gender system. Bornstein asserts that the binary status of gender leaves an individual with no choice to express the self-cultivated ideals. It condemns one to conform to the system. In her opinion, society should drop the gender system that condemns one side to oppression and allows the other to enjoy privileges (Bornstein 111). Bornstein wishes society was more accommodating to the class of individuals who choose not to belong to any of the two gender options.

She calls them a third class of people or transsexuals. Bornstein envisages a transgendered society in which humans will treat each other fairly, without oppression and superiority. In her opinion, the future without gender will be a safer place for everyone in society. According to my definition, ‘queer’ refers to any form of expression and identity regarding gender that is not common in society. However, the standards of determining what is normal usually leave no space for self-expression and identity in an innovative way.

Therefore, the ‘