QUEER CULTURE
VERMONT QUEERS
Burlington, Vermont has been proclaimed by some to be "a mecca for queer ladies of all shapes, sizes, and Birkenstock style-preferences". It offers a activity-filled and often liberal-minded social life while keeping a small-town feel. Perfect for those of who enjoy nature, art, breweries, and activism.
QUEER HISTORY
Queerness has been present in the human experience since the beginning of history. From the poems of Sappho (approx. 620-550 BCE) to the many hidden gays starting the undertaking of creating of sexual identity categories (19th & 20th centuries) to the out and proud icons of today. To dive into the history of queer identities and cultures check out the articles below.
Queer ecology is the intersection of queer theory, social justice, biological science, and ecological studies. It challenges viewing the world through hetero-normative perspectives and embrace the world around us by looking at nature as a spectrum and the relationships between living beings, their environments, and their behaviors as dynamic. These concepts can be applied to landscaping, architecture, indoor and outdoor design, and much more. This intersection makes sense as it is a natural extension of the deep connection between queer people and nature seen in the stereotypes of queer gardeners, hikers, campers, eco-activists, etc.
Gender Queer Animals
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Intersex cardinals presenting half male, half female feather covering
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Male seahorses which carry and deliver developing babies
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Clownfish which are led in family groups by dominant females, if the female dies the male will change sex to fill the position
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Cleaner Wrasse fish which have social groups of one large, dominant male and several smaller females. If the male dies, the largest female will change sex and assume the dominant role
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Bonobos are bisexual and engage in non-exclusive pairings
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Penguins are known to engage in same-sex couplings
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Tortoises have been seen in long-term companionships with same-sex mates
Sexually Queer Animals
Lesbian Stereotypes
There are many lesbian stereotypes which have developed overtime - some out of fact, some not. Regardless of their origin, many of these stereotypes have developed into claimed aesthetics of lesbian and genderqueer individuals. Often, these sexuality and gender presentation decisions are used to signal identity to potential friends and partners without fear of needing to publicly state sexuality in a homophobic world. Click on the articles below to read more about how stereotypes and signals develop in queer, and particularly lesbian, culture.
Diane's Queer Presentation
Costume Designer Sydney de Haan, Asst. Luna Taveras
