In a Queer Time and Place

Synopsis

The first full-length study of transgender representations in art, fiction, film, video, and music
In her first book since the critically acclaimed Female Masculinity, Judith Halberstam examines the significance of the transgender body in a provocative collection of essays on queer time and space. She presents a series of case studies focused on the meanings of masculinity in its dominant and alternative forms' especially female and trans-masculinities as they exist within subcultures, and are appropriated within mainstream culture.
In a Queer Time and Place opens with a probing analysis of the life and death of Brandon Teena, a young transgender man who was brutally murdered in small-town Nebraska. After looking at mainstream representations of the transgender body as exhibited in the media frenzy surrounding this highly visible case and the Oscar-winning film based on Brandon's story, Boys Don't Cry, Halberstam turns her attention to the cultural and artistic production of queers themselves. She examines the "transgender gaze," as rendered in small art-house films like By Hook or By Crook, as well as figurations of ambiguous embodiment in the art of Del LaGrace Volcano, Jenny Saville, Eva Hesse, Shirin Neshat, and others. She then exposes the influence of lesbian drag king cultures upon hetero-male comic films, such as Austin Powers and The Full Monty, and, finally, points to dyke subcultures as one site for the development of queer counterpublics and queer temporalities.
Considering the sudden visibility of the transgender body in the early twenty-first century against the backdrop of changing conceptions of space and time, In a Queer Time and Place is the first full-length study of transgender representations in art, fiction, film, video, and music. This pioneering book offers both a jumping off point for future analysis of transgenderism and an important new way to understand cultural constructions of time and place.

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Summary

Chapter 1: "Introduction: A Queer History of Space and Time"

This chapter introduces the concept of "queer time and place" and its significance in understanding the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. It argues that time and space are not objective or neutral but rather are shaped by social and cultural factors, including those related to gender and sexuality.

Example: The chapter discusses the concept of "chrononormativity," the idea that there is a single, "normal" timeline for life events, such as getting married and having children. This timeline often excludes or marginalizes LGBTQ+ individuals, who may experience different life paths and social expectations.

Chapter 2: "Queer Urban Spaces"

This chapter examines the spatial experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in urban environments. It explores how queer communities have created and claimed spaces for themselves, from gay bars and nightclubs to community centers and protest sites.

Example: The chapter discusses the role of the Castro neighborhood in San Francisco as a hub for the LGBTQ+ community. The neighborhood has been a site of both celebration and struggle, reflecting the complex history and experiences of queer people in the city.

Chapter 3: "Queer Temporalities"

This chapter focuses on the temporal dimensions of queer experiences. It examines how LGBTQ+ individuals negotiate and challenge normative understandings of time, such as linear progression and age-related expectations.

Example: The chapter discusses the concept of "queer timelessness," the idea that queer identities and relationships may exist outside of conventional temporal frames. This can be seen in the experiences of individuals who identify as genderqueer or non-binary, whose identities may not fit into traditional categories of male or female.

Chapter 4: "Queer Bodies in Space and Time"

This chapter explores the embodiment of queerness in space and time. It examines how the physical bodies of LGBTQ+ individuals are often subject to surveillance, policing, and violence, but also how queer bodies can be sites of resistance and liberation.

Example: The chapter discusses the history of drag performance, which has been a powerful form of self-expression and political activism for LGBTQ+ individuals. Drag challenges traditional gender norms and allows performers to create their own identities and experiences in space and time.

Chapter 5: "Queer Archives and Histories"

This chapter examines the role of archives and history in preserving and documenting the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. It explores the challenges and opportunities of collecting and interpreting queer materials, and the importance of creating inclusive and accessible archives.

Example: The chapter discusses the work of the ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives in Los Angeles, one of the largest LGBTQ+ archives in the world. The archive contains a vast collection of materials that document the history of LGBTQ+ activism, culture, and identity.

Chapter 6: "Queer Futures"

This concluding chapter looks to the future of queer time and place. It explores the potential for new and innovative ways of thinking about and experiencing space and time that challenge traditional norms and embrace LGBTQ+ perspectives.

Example: The chapter discusses the emergence of virtual queer spaces, such as online communities and virtual reality environments. These spaces offer LGBTQ+ individuals opportunities for connection, community, and experimentation that may not be possible in physical spaces.