To give a bit more detail, I've been attempting to bridge the gap (however wide or short it may be) between Queer Theory and Marxism. I feel as though the two most common views of contemporary Marxists on queer theory are incorrect.
- Reactionaries who proclaim that Queer Theory is somehow monolithically idealist, usually having never read a shred of it, should be dismissed out of hand. No need to elaborate further on this.
- We should be critical of those who simply combine Marxism and Queer Theory (whichever tendencies of both they most align with) like toppings on a sandwich. Queer Marxism is something that needs to be developed, yet it requires more than upholding both as distinct yet compatible entities. We must synthesize them, likely transforming both to some degree in the process.
I don't wish to fall into the trap of naïve originality, aka writing theory on a matter without studying that which has already been written. So, I'm looking for two things. Firstly, any freely accessible (I don't have the funds to buy/subscribe) theory on the question of Queer Marxism. Secondly, your personal thoughts (Brief or lengthy as they may be) on the subject.
Thanks in advance, –Zero
Actually way back in The Origin of Family, Private Property, and the State there's a very clear theoretical basis for the start of gender theory. Engels shows that gender and sexuality are, ultimately, social technologies developed under class society for the division of and reproduction of labor. Under different economic conditions you end up with wildly different expressions of gender and sexuality.
Also, Marxist feminism provides a theoretical lens to view queer theory. I definitely vibe with Judith Butler’s concept of performative gender, as a trans woman I can feel the way gender is a social performance as much as it is something internal and personal to me.