Gay and Lesbian Studies: Reactivation Cover Image

Studia gejowsko-lesbijskie: reaktywacja
Gay and Lesbian Studies: Reactivation

Author(s): Samuel Nowak
Subject(s): Cultural Essay, Political Essay, Societal Essay
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: gay and lesbian studies; British cultural studies; popular culture; identity; sexuality; queer

Summary/Abstract: My article encourages rethinking of LGBT studies legacy, a discipline which does not exist in the Polish university, yet it received a doubtful reputation. The popular narrative opposes contemporary lesbian and gay studies to queer theory – LGBT studies is claimed to be transhistorical, essentialist and anachronical. In my paper I argue that that approach is mistaken and I provide for positive arguments in favour of a critical return to the lesbian and gay scholarship. These four arguments are as following: interrelations with cultural studies; interest in sexuality and operations of the market; understanding and celebration of popular culture; creative tensions between LGBT studies and queer theory.

  • Issue Year: 13/2012
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 273–286
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: Polish