One concept from the advanced family theory of queer theory that was new information to me is the idea of “hegemonic heteronormativity.” This refers to the persistent and dominant power of heterosexuality and cisgender identity as the normative standard, even as some LGBTQ+ identities have become more socially acceptable in recent years (Allen & Mendez, 2018). The document explains that hegemonic heteronormativity goes beyond just the assumption that everyone is straight and cisgender – it represents a more profound structural and cultural force that privileges specific ways of being while actively marginalizing those who fall outside the heterosexual, cisgender norm.
My understanding of hegemonic heteronormativity is that it reflects an entrenched hierarchy that continues to uphold heterosexuality and the gender binary as the ideal, even as society has become more outwardly accepting of some LGBTQ+ identities. This dynamic means that specific LGBTQ+ individuals and family structures – those that most closely mirror heteronormative, white, middle-class culture – may be granted more legitimacy and acceptance. Meanwhile, those who still transgress the gender binary or engage in more “queer” ways of relating remain marginalized and vulnerable to stereotyping and harm (Worthen, 2021). Hegemonic heteronormativity, then, has not been eradicated but instead expanded to include a more diverse array of normative identities while still privileging adherents of the underlying heteronormative system.
I can apply this concept of hegemonic heteronormativity to a family gathering I attended recently, where I noticed subtle ways the heterosexual couples in the group reinforced these normative assumptions. For example, comments were encouraging the lesbian parents present to find a “father figure” for their child. These remarks, though likely well-intentioned, reveal how deeply ingrained heteronormativity remains, such that even in supportive family environments, there is still a struggle to embrace and validate non-traditional family structures fully. The heterosexual couples, unaware of their privilege, unknowingly perpetuated the idea that the heterosexual, cisgender nuclear family is the ideal.
In terms of ‘queering the family,’ the document explains this as a way of challenging and disrupting the taken-for-granted assumptions about what constitutes a “normal” or “best” family form (Oswald et al., 2005). Queering the family refers to acknowledging the fact that there are innumerable family structuring, sexualities, and gender expressions even beyond the conformity to the heteronormative and faggot nuclear family facade. Instead of subjecting the various types of families to the evaluation according to the normative standard, queering the family welcomes differences. It even questions the opinion that one way of doing family, being singularly perfect, is the most suitable.
Therefore, ‘queering’ the family could involve the strategic development of families that deviate from traditional models to meet the unique needs of queer individuals and their families. It may entail those within poly families, families tied by non-biological bonds with chosen members of the friend groups, besides transgender, non-binary, or gender-fluid parents leading households. Queering the family is working to widen the idea of family and intimacy that is beyond heterosexual and cisgender bodies mandatory and accepting the various ways in which people establish bonds and build the family life that they are happy with.
In other words, the advanced family theory of queer theory highly comes in handy in understanding how homonormativity highly impacts our presumptions about family; hence, it is crucial to consistently keep challenging that way of family life to make room for more tolerant and equitable ways. According to Reczek (2020), it is an ongoing process of theorization and praxis toward the goal of queering the family that is critical for antagonizing heteronormativity and simultaneously emancipating queer people from their routine oppressive practices. The queer theory focuses on the experiences of such families and, in that way, opens up new possibilities showing how the strict, old ideas of family change in the society that now is more accepting of diverse kinds of families.
References
Allen, S. H., & Mendez, S. N. (2018). Hegemonic heteronormativity: Toward a new era of queer family theory. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 10(1), 70-86.
Harvey, R., Fish, L. S., & Levatino, P. (2020). Sexual identity development and heteronormativity. The Handbook of Systemic Family Therapy, pp. 2, 541–569.
Reczek, C. (2020). Sexual-and gender-minority families: A 2010 to 2020 decade in review. Journal of Marriage and Family, 82(1), 300–325.
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