Queer studies, formerly called “gay and lesbian studies” and sometimes now called LGBT studies, focuses on the construction of sexuality and gender identities, centering queerness. By centering queerness, the theories of this field are not confined to gender and sexuality alone, although that is the focus, but can instead be applied to all socially constructed norms.

Queer studies

Within academia, queer is defined against not just heterosexuality but heteronormativity, allowing queerness to be identified in people’s behaviors rather than just their gender/sexuality identities.

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Queer is used as an umbrella term to describe sexuality and gender identities outside of those prescribed by society (for example, those that are not cisgender or heterosexual). There is disagreement over whether some identities “count” as queer, and this is not a term that all people who may fall under the umbrella would use to describe themselves.

Queer (as a sexual orientation)

The attitudes and structures in society that position heterosexuality as the “normal”.

Heteronormativity

Warner, Michael, ed. (2011). Fear of a queer planet : queer politics and social theory. University of Minnesota Press. ISBN 978-0-8166-2334-1. OCLC 934391034. 

Fear of a queer planet : queer politics and social theory

Queer (in academia)

Introductory  studies have shown that MBSR can be useful in reducing the general and minority-specific stress experienced by queer individuals, especially in regions without sufficient anti-discrimination policies

Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction for LGBTQ+ Individuals

Issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity are deeply influenced by sociocultural factors, meaning that the ways in which sexual orientation and gender are defined vary significantly from one culture to the next. For example, while the United States is historically a heteronormative society that views heterosexuality as the norm, other societies have different attitudes towards LGBTQ people. In some cultures, such as in parts of New Guinea, periods of exclusively same-sex sexual behavior are socially prescribed as a normal and necessary part of development and maturation for young boys to become men.

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