Challenging Heteronormativity: Contextualizing the Need for Queer Studies in Academia

Queer Studies was born from social issues concerning sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity, and has continued to grow over time as an academic discipline. Even with recent social and political developments concerning the LGBTQ population, the legitimacy and necessity of queer studies is still debated both inside and outside of academia. As such, Queer Studies needs to be introduced within an historical framework of disciplines concerning traditionally oppressed people, and their struggles for freedom, equality, and justice. Through a review of African-American and Women’s Studies, this article presents a context for the need for Queer Studies in higher education.