Survey
SurveyAs part of this project, we surveyed our fellow classmates and asked them the following three questions:
What is your definition of queer?
What is your definition of literature?
What is queer literature?
We certainly got some interesting answers, and we picked out 5 or 6 of the best ones from each question to put online. Here we go:
1. What is your definition of queer?
"Anyone, any idea, any behavior that not only deviates from the standard sexual or gender paradigm, but also makes an aggressiveto dismantle its position and power. Anything Rush Limbaugh would make fun of."
"To be queer (in a generic sense) is to fight against conformity. it is to crush the word 'normal' with an anvil, because 'normal' is a construct we made up like a cartton character. it is flat while 'queer' acknowledges the bumpiness, etc..." -anonymous
"My definition of queer is something which does not allow itself to be easily defined and categorized. In saying that, 'queer' is in itself 'queer.'" -Scot Gerding
"Queer is an identity that encompasses sexualities which are not the norm. Certainly it includes lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and trannies, but there is definitely something queer about the woman who fucks her boyfriend up the butt with a strap-on. Queer is fun. it is also very sex positive." -Amy Kay
"Queer is an identity claimed by people who do not identify with heterosexual expectations of society nor with the 'homosexual' label which defines one simply by sexuality (as some see queer as their gender). It also serves as a more inclusive term for those who recognize that male/femal or hetero/homo are not the only identities allowed to individuals." -anonymous
2. What is your definition of literature?
"I hate this question because it's so similar to 'What is art?' And guess what --> literature is art. To me - ART IS TANGIBLE PHILOSOPHY." -anonymous
"Literature is a written piece of art - something that enlightens its reader, or forces them to challenge their own understood perception and value system. Literature is writing you wouldn't throw away, or sell at a garage sale." -Carol Peterson
"Literature is writing which has a strong effect on you or stays with you for a while. It has impact and presents something new for a person to ponder." -Corby Beller
"Literature is beyond your average fiction. It is not brain candy - one should be able to take away something of value from reading literature. Literature should cause you to evaluate not only the text, but also your life and how it relates to the text on a deeper level." -anonymous
"(Literature is) writing that has for political, social, or economic reasons gained official recognition and validation." -anonymous
3. What is queer literature?
"Queer literature, by my standards, is a thoughtful piece of writing which refuses to adhere to a certain easily categorized subject. A story about two completely heterosexual people falling in love is not queer literature because it is so common and easily read. If those two fall in love after killing a whole town and make love in the blood, its pretty queer." -Scot Gerding
"Queer literature is often written by homosexuals - but doesn't have to be. It is where I first hear the word 'Postmodernism' and read an essay with the word 'cunt' in the title." -Corby Beller
"Queer literature is that which brings to light an awareness of being that is usually suppressed in mainstream culture." -Shannon Hines
"Queer literature communicates certain ideas that defy our social norm. It goes beyond this norm to represent people and ideas that are otherwise ignored, overlooked, or deemed as shameful or sinful. In a nutshell, queer lit represents the 'THEY' in terms of 'Us,' 'Me,' or 'We.'" -anonoymous
"(Queer literature is) any writing written by dominant or marginalized groups that moves beyond the boundaries of heterosexism." -anonymous