‘Try Again. Fail Again. Fail Better.’ Queer Interdependencies as Corrective Methodologies

Abstract

The relationship between queer theory and intersectionality remains complicated despite obvious parallels between both critical moves. Recent Anglo-American publications have started to address this issue (e.g. Harper et al., 1997; Jackson, 2005; Richardson et al., 2006; Puar, 2007). While both research fields can be linked via an interest in the analysis of multiple and conflicting processes of the formation of identities, they are separated due to a double blank. First, there is a relative neglect of sexuality in theories of intersectionality in gender studies and, second, there is a continuous silence on intersectionality in a predominantly white genealogy of queer theory.’ Critical perspectives such as queer of colour critique (Ferguson, 2004; Cohen, 2005) and queer diaspora critique (Gopinath, 2005; Manalansan, 2006), queer disability (McRuer, 2006) and transgender studies (Hines, 2006; Stryker and Whittle, 2006) as well as queer Jewish studies (Boyarin et al., 2003) and queer and class approaches (Hennessy, 2006) have tackled the theoretical dilemma and opened up the debate for a multidimensional queer understanding of identity construction. In what is to follow, we try to organise an imaginary ‘trialogue’ between, firstly, the Anglo-American formulations of intersectional and multidimensional queer perspectives; secondly, German versions and re-workings of these ‘travelling theories’ in dis/simultaneous timeframes, socio-historical spaces and contexts; and, thirdly, our proposed reflexive perspective on the practical and epistemological limits of both theoretical cultures.