“So we are out of the closet, but into what?”

Weird, odd, strange and not feeling well – the definition of queer. Clearly it is a term with negative implications, a term for something or someone out of place, someone/thing not normal. The application of this term towards those of the gay and lesbian community is an “instrument of regulatory regimes” according to Butler, it is a negative identity category. These identity categories are based on notions of the ideal. For example the ideal woman or the ideal man, is idealized by culturally set expectations, but in reality no such ideal man or woman exists. Without being classified within a category a person technically does not exist. Similar to the notion that the woman is passive or she doesn’t exist, the gay/lesbian “comes out” and identifies as gay/lesbian or doesn’t exist. This means that a person must subjugate themselves as a gay/lesbian in order to receive any identity, when in fact by doing so they must totalize themselves. The person then becomes defined by their sexuality. In this case, the person is placed in the less privileged section of the heterosexual/homosexual binary – they must identify in order to exist, but to identify they must totalize and become less of a person.

            The study of Queer Theory emerged from gay and lesbian studies and focuses on “deviant” categories of sexuality and sexual activities outside of the normative created by the heterosexually dominant world. Identity politics focuses on using the identity category to liberate the gay/lesbian community from the negativity and oppression. For example, the term “queer” which is a term with negative connotations, is used positively through Queer theory. The positive use of this word seeks to empower it and those that fall under the category of queer. It also is used to encompass all those who do not fit in the heterosexual normative. In addition it is used by some, including Butler, as a way to differentiate from the “gay/lesbian” term, therefore identifying in something undefined, due to the lack of a binary. This is one of the primary questions of queer theory: is sexual identity fundamental in a personal identity? Identifying with queer theory allows those like Butler to step back and theorize both the gay/lesbian subject position as well as the heterosexual subject position.

            There is a great deal of conflict within the identifying process, especially when the identity politics are rejected. Butler finds a conflict within the identity categories because she feels that part of a person is lost, tossed aside, by identifying as a lesbian/gay. The individual is totalized and seen as only gay/lesbian and nothing more. Butler also discusses the process or concept of “coming out.” To come out is to reveal and admit to the world that you don’t go along with the hetero-normativity, this making you different and incomplete. To “come out” of the closet you must also first identify as being in the closet, unaware of your own identity until that defining moment. The “outness” is only then maintained by “coming out” again and again. Therefore the question Butler asks is whether there is any benefit of identity politics, whether they really provide any freedoms, or if they just contribute to the oppression of the gay/lesbian community. Ideally, gays and lesbians should be out and proud, yet when they do so they become oppressed due to homophobia and lack of understanding.

A prime example that takes on this struggle of gay/lesbian identity in a dominantly heterosexual world is the movie Philadelphia. In this movie, Tom Hanks plays a homosexual man (Andrew) that is openly gay within his family, with his partner and within the gay community. What Andrew does not do is reveal his homosexuality within his work place. Therefore he has “come out” several times, but has not received full/true identity because of his lack to “come out” at work. He does not hide the fact that he is gay but does not reveal it at the same time. At the law firm where he works, he is a prominent member and is referred to by one of the chief members of the firm as “his buddy.” With the discovery of Andrew’s sexuality as well as the fact that he has contracted HIV/AIDs, he is dismissed from the law firm and his professional character and abilities are brought into question. (Philadelphia clip) Andrew becomes seen only as a sickly homosexual rather that a hardworking man that has a different sexual orientation than those around him. It is revealed later in the movie during court that Andrew was planning on revealing his homosexuality but he changed his mind due to homosexual jokes being told by his colleagues. Throughout the movie different stereotypes of the gay/lesbian community are tackled and revealed. The movie Philadelphia exemplifies not only the struggle of the gay/lesbian community but also the misunderstandings and stereotypes developed by the heterosexual community.