The antisocial thesis in queer theory seems to be the idea that LGTBQ+ persons are inherently incompatible with society’s heteronormative designs. The premise of the antisocial thesis stems from most scholars specializing in queer theory like Lee Edelman and Leo Bersani see queer as “standing outside” social models. Edelman belittles any suggestions of a cohesive, gender fluid society (Rodriguez, 2011). Another premise that I hope for, instead, is Jose Esteben Munoz’s ideas of a future where society can let go of categorizations and collapsing social differences to overcome needs for the antisocial thesis (Rodriquez, 2011). Lastly, the article, The Antisocial Thesis in Queer Theory, also offers interesting evidence of antisocial thesis when they talk about the emphasis of procreation and importance of reproduction in society (Caserio et al., 2006). Supposedly, Edelman claims there is a connection with homosexuality and fears of mortality (Caserio et al., 2006).
Politically incorrect erotic desires are seen as acts of sexual deviance that do not fit in with societal beliefs of sexuality (Rodriguez, 2011). These politically incorrect desires enforce the antisocial thesis because there is a wide range of sexual desires that do not fit into society’s norms. Rodriguez seems to focus on fantasy because reality has so many social constructs that has a way of “returning us to forms of sociality that have constructed us as perverse racialized sexual subjects” (Rodriguez, 2011).
References
Caserio, R. L., Edelman, L., Halberstam, J., Muniz, J. E., & Dean, T. (2011). The antisocial thesis in queer theory. Modern Language Association, 121(3), 819-828.
Rodriguez, J. M. (2011). Queer sociality and other sexual fantasies. GLQ: A Journal of Lesbian and Gay Studies, 17(2-3), 331-348.