Did Someone Mention Quare Theory? Thinking Race and Sexuality from North American Black LGBTQIA+ Intellectuals’ Critique of Queer Theory

Abstract

This article discusses, from a pertinent bibliography, the ways in which racial issues were analyzed in some main references of queer theory. In a second moment, it maps the main criticisms made by LGBTQIA+ black authors to that theoretical strand. A contradictory movement is perceived: on the one hand, an effort by authors such as Judith Butler, among others, to embrace racial discussion in their work and, on the other hand, a feeling of failure inwelcoming and contemplating black people by queer theory and politics in the United States. Another peculiarity of the debate is that, despite the heterogeneity of queer theory, its theorists are criticized as a whole, and specific authors are rarely examined with due care. White homonormativity is discussed as an important obstacle to the dialogues and as a source of misunderstandings. The attempt to es Rodrigo de Azevedo Weimer uma fonte de mal-entendidos. Refere-se, ainda, à tentativa de se estabelecer uma teoria quare alternativa. Palavras-chave: Teoria quare; Teoria queer; Racialização; Interseccionalidade; Homonormatividade. tablish an alternative quare theory is also referred to.