Gender Queer Theory: Key Terms

Question 1

Binary

Answer 1

Gender binary is the classification of gender into two distinct opposite forms of masculine and feminine

Question 2

Cisgender

Answer 2

denoting or relating to a person whose sense of personal identity and gender corresponds with their birth sex. You identify with the sex you were borne, whether by social system or cultural belief.

Question 3

Essentialism

Answer 3

the belief that sex and gender are binary (man and woman) and that each gender is fundamentally different

Question 4

Constructionism

Answer 4

the belief that gender is not based on biology but is constructed through culture and experience.

Question 5

Gender: is socially

Answer 5

constructed and is one’s innermost concept of themselves as a man, woman, and/or nonbinary person. People define their gender identity in a variety of deeply personal ways that can include man or woman, but can also extend to identities such as agender, genderfluid, gender nonconforming, and more!

Question 6

Sexuality: refers to who a person is attracted to

Answer 6

and can include a plethora of orientations. These can include being gay, heterosexual, bisexual, asexual, pansexual and more!

Question 7

Heteronormativity:

Answer 7

the belief that binary gender & heterosexuality are the norm and marginalizes anyone who is not cis-gendered or straight, such as members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Question 8

Performativity

Answer 8

we imitate genders that are socially constructed and presentable; these are not ‘natural’ but are policed by society both formally and informally.

Question 9

Queer

Answer 9

Historically this term was used in a derogatory way to refer to the LGBTQ community. This word has since been used in a positive way by individuals to convey their identity when they prefer not to use terms that depend on sexuality or gender such as lesbian or gay.

Question 10

Gender theory is an “offshoot of feminism”

Answer 10

concerned with exploring how gender and sexuality are represented and discussed

Question 11

Gender theory

Answer 11

“examines how sexual identity influences the creation and reception of literary works.”

Question 12

Aims to explore how gender is constructed

Answer 12

and continues to evolve

Question 13

Challenges binary representations of gender as well as

Answer 13

heteronormative representations and assumptions in culture and society

Question 14

Critics are concerned with exploring issues of

Answer 14

sexuality, power, and marginalized populations (often LGBTQ+) in literature and culture

Question 15

Critics challenge the assumption that gender is a binary

Answer 15

• gender is not only feminine or masculine, but is something that we perform and imitate