Queer Theory, Gender Theory: An Instant Primer

by Riki Anne Wilchins

Queer Theory is an LGBT classic, a one-stop, no-nonsense introduction to the core of postmodern theory, particularly its impact on queer and gender studies. Nationally known gender activist Riki Wilchins combines straightforward prose with concrete examples from LGBT and feminist politics, as well as her own life, to guide the reader through the ideas that have forever altered our understanding of bodies, sex and desire. This is that rare postmodern theory book that combines accessibility, passion, personal experience and applied politics, noting at every turn why these ideas matter and how they can affect your daily life.


Riki Wilchins is an author, activist and gender theorist. The founding E.D. of GenderPAC, she is the author of Queer Theory/Gender An InstantPrimer (Magnus Books) and co-editor of from Beyond the Sexual Binary (Magnus Books). Her work has been published in periodicals like the Village Voice and Social Text, as well as Feminist Frontiers, Language Awareness, and The Encyclopedia of Identity. She has been profiled in the New York Times and Time Magazine selected her one of "100 Civic Innovators for the 21st Century.”

Genres: Queer, Nonfiction, Gender, LGBT, Theory, Feminism, Gender Studies

188 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2004

About the author

Riki Wilchins is an activist whose work has focused on the impact of gender norms. While she started out as a transgender leader -- founding the first national transgender advocacy group (GenderPAC) -- her analysis and work broadened over time to include discrimination and violence regardless of individuals' identity. While this perspective has been widely accepted, its breadth has provoked criticism by some in the transgender community. Wilchins' work and writing has often focused on youth, whom she not only sees as uniquely vulnerable to the gender system's pressures and harm, but whom she sees as capable of "looking with fresh eyes." Wilchins' work has been instrumental in bringing transgender rights into the mainstream LGBT movmement, and has helped bring awareness of the impact of gender norms to a wider audience. In 2001, Wilchins' work resulted in her being selected one of just six community activists named by TIME Magazine among its "100 Civic Innovators for the 21st Century."

A founding member of Camp Trans, since the mid-1990s Wilchins has been highly active in founding a number of organizations and events focused on gender issues, including:

The Transexual Menace, the first large direct action group for transgender rights, which was modeled along the lines of Queer Nation and which at one point boasted representatives in 40+ cities (co-founder Denise Norris).
Hermaphrodites With Attitude, the first direct action group for the intersex (co-founder Cheryl Chase, Executive Director of the ISNA, the Intersex Society of North America).
NYC Gay Community Center Gender Identity Project (co-founder Dr. Barbara Warren, Dir. of Social Services).
NYC Gay Community Center Transgender Health Empowerment Conference, an annual event (co-founder Dr. Barbara Warren, Dir. of Social Services).
Camp Trans, an annual educational event outside the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival that contests the exclusion of anyone who is not deemed a "womyn-born womyn" (co-founders Janice Walworth, Nancy Jean Burkholder).
National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (co-founder Susan Wright, its first Exec. Dir.)
National Gender Lobby Day, an annual event on Capitol Hill (co-founder Phyllis Frye).

In 1995 Wilchins founded the Gender Public Advocacy Coalition GenderPAC, a tax-exempt organization focused on gender rights issues. GenderPAC originally focused on the transgender community, but gradually broadened its focus to include anyone who suffered discrimination or violence because of their gender identity or gender expression. GenderPAC described its mission as the creation of "classrooms, communities, and workplaces [that] are safe for everyone to learn, grow, and succeed - whether or not they meet expectations for masculinity and femininity."

In late 1999, the organization was incorporated and received tax-exempt status. In 2009 it rebranded and relaunched as a new organization, effectively ceasing operations as GenderPAC. While GenderPAC's Executive Director, Wilchins helped dozens of corporations as diverse as IBM, JP Morgan Chase, and Citigroup, as well as major funders like the Arcus and Gill Foundations to expand their employment non-discrimination policies to include gender identity and gender expression. GenderPAC's Congressional Non-Discrimination Pledge eventually had almost 200 sponsors, including both Republicans and US Senators. She helped compile and publish the GENIUS (Gender Equality National Index for Universities & Schools) Index, which rated and ranked schools' adoption of gender identity protections. During her watch, GenderPAC also launched the GenderYOUTH Network, which eventually supported student groups at 100+ schools in creating safer and friendlier environments for those who were gender non-conforming on their own campuses.

With help from researcher Emilia Lombardi, GenderPAC compiled and published the "1st National Survey of TransViolence," based on surveys provided by more than 500.

Reviews

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the main criticisms I've read of this book is that it doesn't go into too much depth and it's only useful as a primer. The clue's in the title, folks. "An Instant Primer".

Anyway, a primer into queer theory is what I was after and I found this really interesting and informative. Some stuff I already had knowledge about, but it explained some theories a little more to me and I enjoyed the stuff about the intersections of gender and sexuality and how the LGBT+ community has fragmented and changed over time. I was also super delighted that she spoke about race and the affect that that has on queer theory etc. There were a few moments in the middle of the book that I found a bit dull (when Wilchins talked a bit more in depth about the theories of Foucault), but it didn't take too much for me to get through that and get back into the book.

Overall, a good read to start 2018 off with.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic introduction to queer theory. I feel educated.

[Sandy Maguire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up mostly as a joke after learning that iced coffee and walking quickly are queer symbols. While researching whether or not I was queer for liking iced coffee (and wondering if this is what my San Francisco friends meant when they said they were queer,) I came across this book, and was surprised to learn that there is a THEORY behind being queer! Fascinating!

After a quick wikipedia-job on queer theory that didn't prove to be helpful in the least, I thought I should probably read a book on the topic. Either it would be informative, or it would be further evidence that the humanities are full of crazy people spouting off on "theories" that are completely impenetrable -- win/win, really.

So I dove in during a long bus ride. And I was pleasantly surprised! Wilchins makes a good argument that it's stupid to draw strong dichotomies based on sexuality. Does it make a man a homosexual if he thinks about kissing another man? Not only is this not right, argues Wilchins, it's not even wrong. These categories are useful insofar as they help us predict the future, but they are not helpful as _identifiers._

I don't remember much else about the book. I ran out of steam on it. I never intended to abandon it, but I did, and I have no desire to read more. Queer Theory was significantly less shit than I was expecting it to be! I remember being impressed with a few of the arguments while reading it, but damned if I can remember what they are now.

EDIT: 2022 I revisited this book because it was on my list of unfinished books on my kindle. The second time around it was worse.

[Vishal Cain · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay primer. Barely goes in depth at all, but all I wanted out of this was to know some of the major thinkers in queer theory and the big picture of their ideas, which was loosely what I got out of this. Soon I’d like to read the primary texts themselves (de Beauvoir, Foucault, Derrida, Butler, etc) and this was a good read to get a big picture of some of their work and where they fit in within the discourse. I think queer theory, and critical theory in general, is very powerful stuff and super exciting to read as it offers new ways of looking at the world & understanding ourselves. It promotes critical thinking by asking questions of our established norms, or what we consider to be true, universal, natural. How did these universalities come about? Were they always there, or do they have a history? Who do our cultural norms serve? How might they limit us? It is all very interesting to think about. It is quite difficult to think about too, as it requires a high level of thought and a strong sense of open-mindedness.

[Faiza Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was great, would’ve liked it to be more cohesive seemed to jump around but great start to queer theory reading.

[lady h · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly accessible intro to queer theory and gender theory. It does what it aims to do.

[Erin Reilly-Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bit more of a summary than typical but I think it gets at some of the strengths of the book particularly in the practical application of rather confusing theoretical perspective. I love the focus on stories, personal experiences, and constructive asides that Wilkins uses that make this quite readable and enjoyable.

Queer Theory, Gender Theory is a colloquial exploration of post modern theory applied to the issues of feminism, gender, and queer theory. Wilchins draws on her own experiences as a transsexual as well as the stories of friends like intersex spokeswoman Cheryl Chase and the stories that pervade our pop culture like Brandon Teena’s, depicted in the award winning movie Boys Don’t Cry. Starting with a brief but crucial history of the politics of gender, gay, and transsexual rights, Wilchins “[begins] where all good theory hopes to go before it dies: politics” (p. 5). In this Wilchins is able to relate these typically obscure theoretical views to the practical ideas of change and political action that try to improve life for the disempowered. She also probes into the relationships between sex and gender, noting how one is often advanced at the expense of the other. Furthermore, the case of intersex infants ties together a clear picture of the intersections and conflicts between the different factions of gender and sexual orientation groups. A true deconstructionist, Wilchins troubles the ideas of using post modernism theory citing its proclivity to apathy, complexity, frustration, lack of solutions, isolationism rather than “constructive social engagement” (p. 100), and universality instead of the individuality of intersectionality. After prying into some of the ideas in Judith Butler’s seminal text, Gender Trouble, as further tools for investigation of identity, Wilchins concludes with a section on GenderPAC, a gender rights advocacy group, and a plea to “Get Involved. Because gender rights and human rights, and the time for them is now” (p. 157).

[Adrianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was featured at the website of the local LGBT bookstore, for quite some time, so I thought it would be worth checking it out. At page 85, somewhere halfway through the book, I felt compelled to put it down. It was a chore reading it. Lacking passion and not even hinting at humor anywhere, I had the feeling I was listening to an one-tone-tune, in an ever flat landscape.
I wasn't into postmodernist theory anyway, and this book didn't any nearly convert me. I will probably return to it some day, when I feel I have the patience and determination to finish it.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

In many ways, this book is exactly what I was looking for, and it is exactly what it describes itself as: a primer to queer theory and gender theory. Now that I've been introduced to the main ideas and theorists (Foucalt, Butler, etc.) I feel better able to dive deeper.

But there were SO MANY TYPOS in this book it seriously detracted from its readability. I tend to not comment on typos because a) it's classist and ableist and b) it often seems to have more to do with the editor and the amount of funds available at the publishing company, which often seems to mean that exactly these kinds of books (written by authors with marginalized identities on topics that "mainstream publishers" don't find acceptable/profitable) suffer from more typos through no fault of their own - but given the amount of typos in this text and how much it really impacted the reader's ability to understand what was being shared (particularly around already complicated theories), I think it's important to note.

[Matt Sautman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queer Theory, Feminist Theory is far more general than I anticipated. While I see value in this book for introducing people to more complex ideas, for those who are already familiar with these conversations (Derrida, Foucault, Butler, trans-issues) there is not too much to gather from this book. Wilchins doesn't complicate these conversations. Rather she presents them in a way that resonates in the book's subtitle, "an instant primer." This book hasn't altered how I see the world, but that has much to do with my subject position. Yet I can easily see this book transforming the way others think about the world.

[Lauren B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the publishers, the author and Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It was great to be able to read through this book that was originally published in the 90's and to see the updates thanks to the incredible advancements that have been made in the discussions and open consideration of gender and sexuality. This book gave me a lot to ponder on.
I did find moments of it difficult to keep my attention and the spelling errors jolted me, but I look forward to seeing the edited copy on shelves and believe everyone should consider an open outlook on the discussion within.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant introduction to queer and gender theory. Wilchins explains the concepts in a way so simple i bet butler is quaking. She compliments the pure theory with her own experiences in the field. I doubt it's the last time i'll use this - Also her explaination of foucault actually makes sense !!!!

[Anya Akhoury · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am currently reading this for my gender studies class but I have read ahead because I love it so much I have always been interested in gender studies and this book also has a lot of queer history which is important to know about and as a queer person i want to know more about my history and just gender studies in general and this book simplifies it down a lot and it’s amazing

[Jean-Pierre Vidrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating essay that has me rethinking and redefining the very idea of gender. In just a few pages I lost count of the quotable quotes and new insights that had me looking at the world around me and looking within in an entirely different light. It's also a necessary call to arms that's even more relevant now than when it was published.

[Blue Inessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an amazing intro to post modernism in relation to queer theory. I found so much in this book and it changed the way I look at the world. Very intersectional and excellent view points on modern society and the way it was built.

[R.W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, accessible intro to Queer Theory and its possibilities. Having read many theoretical texts, I was mentally supplying footnotes for most paragraphs. For those who think QT is obscure and useless, I'd say this text stands a chance of changing their mind.

[Abi (The Knights Who Say Book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean, this was my first introduction to queer theory, so it's not like I can say with authority that this is the best one. But as an introduction, it was really good and I learned a lot, so 5 stars.

[Mustafa Bilal · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's very accessible and gives an easy introduction to complex theorists. The ideas are interesting. I loved the idea of moving beyond Identity politics which I was discussing with my friend the other day.

[Robbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

very informative and helped me understand Gender theory. I really liked the information given in this. Thank you

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent primer on queer and gender theory and continues to impact my perspective and view of the world over a decade after I first read it.

[Joe Rackham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting, great primer on the subject, has inspired me to read more

[Joy]

i‘m dipping in and out of this to reference in my essay, but i think i‘d want to read this properly at some point.

[redbean · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wilchins does a great job of breaking down postmodernism, queer theory and intersectionality in an accessible jargon free and brief book. My one complaint was the editing was atrocious.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super informative and — oftentimes — really fun to read! Wilchins adds humor and a healthy sprinkling of zest to what could have been a dry, dragging intro theory text.

[Lizzy Toth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a primer so maybe I am being harsh, but I still hoped for more depth of theory.

[lizzie]

good primer / reference for the theory i felt i missed out on by not taking an intro gws class

[crow · Rating 3 out of 5]

so many...... typos. did no one edit this book?

[Michael Palkowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first three chapters deal with very brief parsimonious history lessons about the scope of activism that underpinned much of later queer theory and postmodern gender analysis. Although useful as a primer to someone trying to enter the subject from the beginning, It's still extremely thin and doesn't give much insight at all that isn't reproduced elsewhere in much better detail. It is replete with quite a few questionable statements as well such as:

"In a male centred culture, woman will always be the queer-sex",

which seems to be false since the main critique mentioned briefly is that symbols that we classify stereotypically as 'male' or 'female' are constructed socially and not necessarily fixed products of all woman or men, thus woman are not always the queer sex as such a statement disavows the endless 'queer' difference outside the female gaze. Male centered is vague as it certainly doesn't relate to institutional privilege and is predicated on a subtle phallogocentric argument which I believe has problems.

Chapter 4 begins by fawning over Derrida:

"He was so complex, so profound, so deep, that even philosophers who heard him, men who read Sartre like you and I read Doonesbury, had no idea what he was saying. Gifted with a tremendous and insubordinate intellect, Derrida was also unmatched for chutzpah. He used this speech to announce the end of modernism"

Although the book contains a chapter devoted to critiquing postmodern influence on gender studies, there is a lack of critical engagement with moral relativism and it's pernicious desensitization of activism. To state that its merely pluralism in allowing other perspectives is euphemistic to say the least and merely changing the demarcations we use doesn't change the underlying point. I find fawning over social theorists in a servile way like this is very nonconstructive and unappealing. Derrida is never really taken to task for his work here and given free reign

Everyone speaks about how corrosive and dead 'knowledge' and 'intelligence' is but relatively few are prepared to speak about the obvious positives of these things and discuss literary criticism that is relational to the text in question, instead of trying to uncover 'hidden' narratives that undermine the very integrity of the text and smash anything it is trying to say. We speculate endlessly about how language is unreliable without discussing how reliable it actually is in preserving, communicating with others and in producing wonderful works of literature and indeed philosophy. The reason I mention this is because Sedgwick in her reparative reading seemed to convey similar things, a theorist who never makes the pages of this book despite her large contributions to the field. Many theorists and critical ideas seem to be minimized or simply ignored. I was reading this mainly as an addendum to my own notes going into an examination exploring gender and sexuality, finding that the work was quite scant for this level.

Although the book is a good primer, I believe it needed to engage with more theoretical work and disavow the autobiographical context a little more. This seems to be a theme in a lot of books covering queer theory, in that we must be introspective and allow for the author to be personal with us. It's a style I am beginning to dislike and get annoyed about especially when I want to learn about the concepts and academic work explored.

[J Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queer Theory, Gender Theory by Riki Wilchins is a very good basic introduction to the theory for those who either don't want to read the theory or want a basic foundation before diving into the nuance and detail of the theories.

I wasn't prepared for just how basic this was going to be, so it took a while for me to appreciate what it does so well. I've been reading this theory and using it since the 80s (the 90s for Butler) and forget that not everyone enjoys reading theory. As I've said before, yes, I am a nerd. What this book does is highlight where much of the theory (foundationally Derrida, Foucault, and Butler) meets the application or activism. This does not try to express every nuance, it offers the reader a basic understanding so that they can then better understand where some of the ideas come from. I would imagine that for those looking for an intro, this may well suffice. For others, this may pique their interest to learn these ideas in greater detail.

One thing that makes this particularly interesting is that Wilchins does not spare any one or any group critique. Not so much confrontational but more pointing out where feminism(s) or some gay rights groups miss main ideas or, even worse, do to trans what had been done to them. This is done in hope of creating understanding and making bridges, not condemning.

I would recommend this to readers who want a foundation either for better understanding or as a prelude to more serious study.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.