Exam 40: Queer Presences and Absences: Citizenship, Community, Diversityor Death, Yvette Taylor

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The Tyler Clementi suicide and the 'It Gets Better' project highlight the struggles and discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community. These events also shed light on the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive environment for marginalized groups. However, in the quest for citizenship and acceptance, some deviant groups may inadvertently alienate other oppressed groups.

Taylor believes that this alienation can occur due to a lack of understanding and recognition of diversity and intersectionality within marginalized communities. The LGBTQ+ community, for example, is diverse and includes individuals from various racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds. However, the mainstream LGBTQ+ movement has often been criticized for prioritizing the experiences and needs of white, cisgender, and affluent individuals, while marginalizing the voices and concerns of LGBTQ+ people of color, transgender individuals, and those facing economic hardship.

In the case of the 'It Gets Better' project, while it aimed to provide hope and support for LGBTQ+ youth, it primarily featured stories and messages from well-known, successful, and often privileged individuals. This narrow focus may have inadvertently alienated LGBTQ+ youth who did not see themselves represented in these narratives, particularly those facing multiple forms of oppression due to their race, gender identity, or socio-economic status.

Furthermore, the quest for citizenship and acceptance by one marginalized group can sometimes lead to the reinforcement of societal norms and values that further marginalize other oppressed groups. For example, the LGBTQ+ movement's focus on assimilation and respectability politics may inadvertently perpetuate heteronormative and cisnormative standards, which can be exclusionary to individuals who do not fit within these norms.

In conclusion, Taylor believes that in the pursuit of citizenship and acceptance, it is crucial for deviant groups to recognize and address the diversity and intersectionality within their own communities, as well as to actively support and uplift other oppressed groups. By acknowledging and centering the experiences of all marginalized individuals, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society for everyone.