Posted by Lashings of Ginger Beer
Queer Studies Circle is a discussion group that meets once a fortnight during Oxford University term time. They have a facebook page here. This Saturday they are starting the term with the topic "What is Queer?" Here's what they have to say:
TOPIC: What is QUEER?
TIME: 8pm, Sat 15th October
PLACE: Lecture Room A, Magdalen College
DIRECTIONS: Enter Magdalen through the Porters' Lodge, then go through the archway on the left, and it's the first door on the left
QSC returns on Saturday with an exciting array of things to think and talk about. We're starting off the year with an apparently simple, but nonetheless crucial, question: What is "Queer"?
In everyday language, "queer" can be a term of abuse, and also a term of pride. Its meaning has varied dramatically over time, and even today it can mean very different things in different contexts. It now has academic and political meanings in addition to its everyday meanings.
What exactly are these different senses of the word "queer"? What are the differences and similarities between them? Is queerness still a relevant concept today, or have we moved beyond the need for it?
Queer Studies Circle meets once a fortnight to discuss gender, sex and sexuality, queer theory, queer culture and virtually anything else you care to bring up! For those of you who haven't been to QSC before, it's a small, friendly discussion group, so don't be afraid to come along and get stuck in. No previous knowledge of academic queer theory is required.
Come along, come and think, come and get engaged
See you there! xx
Here's some (totally optional) reading and viewing material...
An introduction to the concept of "queer" from a personal perspective: http://www.hercampus.com/love/what-does-queer-mean-queer-101-labels-explanations-identifications
A more academic and historical overview:
http://www.australianhumanitiesreview.org/archive/Issue-Dec-1996/jagose.html
Judith Butler, one of the key figures in Queer Theory, introduces some of the central concepts (very accessibly): http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Q50nQUGiI3s#t=432s
For a more polemical take, this is a historically important manifesto from 1990: www.qrd.org/qrd/misc/text/queers.read.this
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