Queer Theory

Queer theory has been a key player on the academic scene for over ten years and looks set to continue for many years to come. The aim of this paper is to present an overview of the key elements that shape this body of work and to point to its potential usefulness for group analysis. Some of the influences in the emergence of queer theory will be discussed followed by some prominent critiques centering around queer theory’s link with practice, the commodification of ‘queerness’ and its implications for diversity. Queer theory poses some important questions about the status of gender/sexuality categories and, in particular, throws into focus the relational constitution of identities, that could, potentially, be used in tandem with other critical theories, in the arena of group analysis.