Outlaws or in-laws? Queer theory, LGBT studies, and religious studies.
Many queer theorists, like many queer activists and perhaps many LGBT people in general, regard religion as so inimical to their purposes and lives that it is not even worthy of critique; references to religion in queer theory, queer studies, and even LGBT studies are usually sparse, brief, and generally derogatory. Likewise, within most of the field of religious studies, queerness is rarely an issue of concern or even consciousness except in the context of organizational tensions over the proper roles of "homosexuals." While there is a growing body of work that brings these two fields together, the study of religion seems to be adapting only haltingly and partially to contemporary developments inLGBTstudies and queer theory. This essay assesses the current state of the "proto-fields" of LGBT studies and queer studies in religion, offers suggestions for new directions in the future, and considers the potential benefits of the interaction of these fields.
Wilcox
Melissa M
MM
Department of religion, 345 Boyer Ave, Walla Walla, WA 99362, USA. wilcoxmm@whitman.edu.
D001727:Bisexuality; D005260:Female; D006716:Homosexuality; D018452:Homosexuality, Female; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011287:Prejudice; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012067:Religion; D012071:Religion and Sex