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An Examination of the Emergence of the Queer Figure in North American Culture Using a Queer Marxist Theoretical Framework

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An Examination of the Emergence of the Queer Figure in North American Culture Using a Queer Marxist Theoretical Framework Western University Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository 8-12-2016 12:00 AM An Examination of the Emergence of the Queer Figure in North American Culture Using a Queer Marxist Theoretical Framework Jade C.R. Da Costa The University of Western Ontario Supervisor Charles G. Levine The University of Western Ontario Graduate Program in Sociology A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree in Master of Arts © Jade C.R. Da Costa 2016 Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd Part of the Gender and Sexuality Commons, and the Inequality and Stratification Commons Recommended Citation Da Costa, Jade C.R., "An Examination of the Emergence of the Queer Figure in North American Culture Using a Queer Marxist Theoretical Framework" (2016). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 3969. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/3969 This Dissertation/Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarship@Western. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository by an authorized administrator of Scholarship@Western. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Abstract This thesis develops a new sociological perspective entitled “Queer Marxism,” a neo- Marxist perspective on gender identity, gender expression, and gender oppression that incorporates Judith Butler’s queer perspective of gender performativity. Using this Queer Marxist framework, this thesis will identify an existing tension, due to emerging contradictions within the North American capitalist structure, between the current realities of gendered bodies and the dominant gender binary ideology of North American society. In reflecting on this tension, this project will argue that non-normative genders (and sexualities) are gaining more recognition and validation at a cultural level which, in turn, serves to only further contradict the hegemonic presence of the gender binary ideology that is upheld by the dominant socio-political and economic structures of North America society. As a result, the cultural forces of gender- based domination and subordination that support the relations of capital have begun to destabilize, diversifying gender performativity as a consequence. Keywords queer theory; Marxism; gender; sexuality; capital; capitalism; gender performativity; historical materialism; LGBT rights; women’s rights; feminism; Marxist feminism i Acknowledgements First and foremost, this thesis would have either never come to fruition or would have only done so as an unorganized collection of my unintelligible ramblings if it were not for the help of my supervisor Charles G. Levine. While my “genius” may have undermined your “ignorance” towards gender and sexual inequality, it was your admirable and unprecedented patience and support that helped me move past the writing issues that I have battled with for years. I not only attribute my ability to complete my thesis to your help, but I believe that my future success as an academic will in large part be due to everything you have taught me. As my undergraduate social theory professor you allowed me to believe that I was smart enough to succeed in graduate school, and as my supervisor you gave me the tools to do so. Thank you. I would like to thank Kate Choi for teaching me how to “do” statistics. Although my thesis does not deal with quantitative methods, you gave me the courage to learn a new skill set that I thought I never could. I would also like to thank Michael Gardiner for his help with my research proposal and first chapter and the thoughtful and detailed comments that you have provided me with. In a similar token, I would like to thank all my professors, especially Andrea Wilson, Jerry White, and Taiwo Adetunji Osinubi, for helping me grow as an academic and for always taking the time to help me with course projects. Special acknowledgment goes to my fellow graduate student Sarah Levine who, through critical and intelligent discussion, helped me to better understand my idea of gender performativity as a type of habitual anticipatory socialization. In addition, you are a wonderful friend and person who enriched by graduate experience overall by simply being there. I extend this same appreciation to Awish Aslam, a supportive and kind office mate and friend of two ii years and someone who gives me hope that there are still sociologists out there who are passionate about making the world a better place – you inspire me with your strength and kindness. Lastly, I want to thank my partner Brad for keeping me sane, supporting me through this life changing experience, and for allowing me to get to this point in my life by helping me overcome the obstacles of my past. I want to thank my best friends of seventeen years, Flora and Alexa, my cats Elijah, Patience, and Harmony, and my Brother Dylan for all the love, comfort, and support that you have given me over the years. Most of all, I want to thank my grandma and my grandpa who paid for my university education and made all of this possible; if it were not for your tireless efforts to overcome extreme challenges, I would not be able to do something that I believe will make the world I live in a better place. Thank you. iii Dedication For the 49 victims and 53 survivors of the Orlando Pulse Shootings; “Thoughts and prayers are nice, gun control and queer rights are better.” -Unknown iv Table of Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................... ii Dedication .................................................................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................................... v Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 1 0.1 Framing the Problem ..................................................................................................................... 1 0.2 Queer Theory vs. Marxism ........................................................................................................... 5 0.3 Introducing a Queer Marxism ....................................................................................................... 9 0.4 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 13 0.5 Chapter Outline ........................................................................................................................... 14 Chapter 1 ..................................................................................................................................................... 19 1.1 Historical Materialism................................................................................................................. 19 1.2 Marx, the Relations of Capital, and Gender ................................................................................ 24 1.3 Poststructuralism, Queer Theory, and Marxism ......................................................................... 31 1.4 Queer Critiques of Heteronormativity in Social Theory ............................................................. 35 1.5 Conclusion: Queer Marxism, Totality, and Intersectionality ...................................................... 41 Chapter 2 ..................................................................................................................................................... 45 2.1 The Regulatory Practice of Gendering ........................................................................................ 45 2.2 Butler, Queer Theory, and Poststructuralism .............................................................................. 51 2.3 Butler and Marx: Gender as an Imagined Concrete .................................................................... 57 2.4 Performativity and Capital .......................................................................................................... 62 2.5 The Heterosexual Matrix and Capitalism ................................................................................... 65 2.6 Butler vs. Marx: Trans-Historical or Historical Materialism ...................................................... 70 2.7 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 75 Chapter 3 ..................................................................................................................................................... 77 3.1 Marx, Gender Norms, and Capitalism ........................................................................................ 77 3.2 Gender Ideal Types and Gender Performativity ......................................................................... 82 3.3 The Historical Emergence of the Gender Binary Ideology ......................................................... 87 3.4 The Gender Binary Ideology in Today’s Culture ....................................................................... 95 v 3.5 Gender Ideologies and Gender Performativity
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