Queer theory as an academic tool came about in part from gender and sexuality studies that in turn had their origins from lesbians and gay studies and feminist theory. These groups helped define the field with the work they did by highlighting a non-normative option to the more traditional identity politics and marginal group creations. Gay activist groups like ACT-UP and Queer Nation took the lead to force attention to both the AIDS epidemic and the gay and lesbian community as a whole. Activist groups pushed back in the 1980's against the lack of government intervention after the outbreak of the AIDS epidemic. Queer theory’s origin is hard to clearly define, since it came from multiple critical and cultural contexts, including feminism, post-structuralist theory , radical movements of people of color, the gay and lesbian movements, AIDS activism, many sexual subcultural practices such as sadomasochism, and postcolonialism.Īlthough queer theory had its beginnings in the educational sphere, the cultural events surrounding its origin also had a huge impact. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility.
