CFP: "Queer Theory, Straight Theorists, and Other
Uncomfortable
Relationships in GLBT Studies," a panel at the 14th
Annual Central New
York Conference on Language and Literature at SUNY
Cortland.
In his introduction to Straight With a Twist: Queer
Theory and the
Subject
of Heterosexuality (2000), Thomas Calvin claims that
straight persons
reading queer theory may experience a form of
excitement caused by
their
surprised perplexity at recognizing their own
reflections in queer
theorys mirror (2). This excitement of recognition
for "non-queer"
subjects, and the desire to engage in/with queer
discourse that
accompanies such excitement, are often complicated,
Calvin observes, by
questions of appropriation and the threat of the
dematerialization of
any possibility of queerness itself (15). In "Queer
Nationality
(1993)
Lauren Berlant and Elizabeth Freeman speak directly to
this threat
and
to the material roots of queerness when they suggest
that straights
survive a month walking hand in hand in public with
someone of the
same
sex before they are seen to have legitimate voices
in queer
discourse.
Papers proposed for this panel should explore ways
that such concerns
pertain in contemporary GLBT studies. Explorations of
other
uncomfortable
relationships in queer discourse are also encouraged.
Possible
questions
to consider may include but are not limited to: Is
appropriation over?
What happens when queer theory dissociates from its
essential roots?
Are
the days of establishing ones queeror
feministcredentials coming
to
a
close? How may we all engage in what Judith Butler
terms critical
queerness? What is queer literature? Where/what is
queer culture?
Are
masculinity studies part of queer discourse? Are
heterosexual sex
workers
queer? Is queer heterosexuality a contradiction
in/appropriation of
terms?
Proposals no longer than 500 words may be submitted
via email to Shawna
Ferris by 15 July 2004.
Panel Chair: Shawna Ferris
shawnamferris@???
500 word abstract by 7/15/04
Shawna Ferris
PhD Candidate
Department of English
McMaster University
1280 Main St. W.
Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L9
(905) 525-9140
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