Queer Theory 1AC

Democracy legitimizes the state’s ability to construct individual’s identities by creating an acceptable norm through institutions of power and denying individuals that refuse to engage with those institutions. Even assumed “minorities” are recognized as legitimate through democracy, while queers are continually erased.

Warner, 93

(Michael, Fear of a Queer Planet, Google Reader, pg 171-14, CW, accessed on 8/17/11)

The modern liberal … legitimation in modernity.

The construction of identity that takes place in democracy has permeated this year into the debate community. The resolution asks us provide “democracy assistance” but this forces the debaters to actively construct identities and impose norms against queer bodies. Debaters refusing to perpetuate this normative thought are created as enemies to the community, just as deviants inside democracy are given the identity of the enemy while good debaters and individuals inside democracy are rewarded with citizen. 

Meeks, 01

(Chet, November, “Civil Society and the Sexual Politics of Difference,” Sociological Theory

Volume 19, Issue 3, pages 325–343, accessed on 7/21/11, CW)  

Whereas earlier theorists … code to function.  

You see Chas and I are the queers on our campus, in this community, and this round. We are the enemy that democracy constructs, the resolution acts as the invisible center for which heteronormativity is able to take charge and cause the normalization of the queers. This allows for the continued domination, marginalization, and eradication of individuals not seen as fit to be within its framework.

Yep, Professor of Communication Studies at San Francisco State University, 2004. (Gust A., Ph.D. in Communication., Queer Theory and Communication: From Disciplining Queers to Queering the Discipline(s), pg. 18). Jt

In this passage, … class, gender, and sexuality.

Do not care about the future of the debate community – tying ourselves to resolution prevents the queers from being recognized. You must focus on the here and now in order to form resistance against heteronormativity

Giffney, 06

(Noreen, postdoctoral fellow in Women’s Studies, School of Social Justice at University College Dublin,“Queer Apocal(o)ptic/ism: The Death Drive And The Human”, published in Queering the Non-Human, p. 48-59) RKB

What characterises queer … disturb one’ (Edelman 2004, 17).

Queering concepts of freedom allows us to disrupt heteronormativity by tracing back to the points where identities were constructed.

Winnubst 06

(Shannon philosophy PhD, Penn State UniversityShannon, Queering Freedom 2006. p 139 GoogleBooks, CW, accessed on 11/25/10)

So, why queer … resist differently altogether  

The 1AC is a coming out experience for the debate community. Through the queering of this year’s resolution we are able to suspend the anticipation of the future and open up a space that will allow for us to rupture the heteronormativity that is reproduced in this space, round after round and tournament after tournament. We will sever off the head of reason and lift the anxiety the queers brings to our community.

Winnubst 06 (Shannon philosophy PhD, Penn State UniversityShannon, Queering Freedom 2006. p 139 GoogleBooks, CW, accessed on 11/25/10)

If queer emerges … in late modernity.

Your ballot should be used as a tool to disrupt heteronormativity in this debate space – communication scholarship has institutionalized heteronormativity through the use of specific practices in order to eliminate difference and control forms of knowledge

Yep, Professor of Communication Studies at San Francisco State University, 2004. (Gust A., Ph.D. in Communication., Queer Theory and Communication: From Disciplining Queers to Queering the Discipline(s), pg. 47-48). Jt

In other words, … human sexual subject.   

The Belief that our activisms must respond to the political conditions of our time through the leveraging of particular institutional appeals is precisely what nullifies our ethical potential.  No matter the force of its opposition, the connection of transformation with an appeal to our institutions, mediates our relationships in such a manner that ethical transformation outside this frame of mediation becomes impossible.

Hershock, 1999 (Peter D., Project Fellow at the EastWest Center, Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Hawaii, "Changing the Way Society Changes: Transposing Social Activism into a Dramatic Key", Journal of Buddhist Ethics 6, p 158-150, http://jbe.gold.ac.uk/6/hershock991.pdf) cnb

I have argued … generic co-existence  

Heteronormativity is privileged in this discussion by enforcing a mind-body split by making the debate space objective. Any discussion of our own subjectivity is automatically stigmatized. They banish queers to the private and establish rules forcing queer assimilation and elimination.

DePalma and Atkinson 06

(Renee and Elizabeth, Professors at University of Sunderland, “The sound of silence: talking about sexual orientation and schooling,” Sex Education, Vol. 6, No. 4, November 2006, pp. 333–349, CW, accessed on 6/30/11)

As a lingering … to a child’s education.    

Contention 1: The Monter-Terrorist-Fag

US assistance intentionally excludes terrorist organizations

US Department of State 9/15/11 

(http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm, CW, accessed on 2/21/12)

Legal Ramifications of Designation…other specialized knowledge.’’

*FTO means Foreign Terrorist Organization

These restrictions and classifications on what groups are acceptable for democracy aid echo Terrorism Studies’ attempt at classifying the “Monstrous Terrorist” psyche, fixing an Orientalist lens onto psychoanalytic outputs that creates a flawed knowledge production. This psychology designates that there is an Ideal Heterosexual Body, and anyone abnormal is the result of a deviant psyche. This system fuels the war machine and demands the discipline of the abnormal body to achieve perfection.

Puar and Rai, 2  

(Jasbir K. and Amit S. associate professor of women's and gender studies at Rutgers University; Associate Professor of English at Florida State University, 2002 “Monster, Terrorist, Fag: The War on Terrorism and the Production of Docile Patriots” Social Text 72, Vol. 20, No. 3, Fall, CW, accessed on 2/21/12) 

According to Foucault, the …rituals of heteronormativity. 

The discourse of terrorism is the worst example of this terrain of knowledge production. These representations are highly sexualized and attached to the figure of the Monster, crossing the boundaries of class, sex, and race, the image of the Monster authorizes limitless exertion of biopolitics.

Puar and Rai, 2  

(Jasbir K. and Amit S. associate professor of women's and gender studies at Rutgers University; Associate Professor of English at Florida State University, 2002 “Monster, Terrorist, Fag: The War on Terrorism and the Production of Docile Patriots” Social Text 72, Vol. 20, No. 3, Fall, CW, accessed on 2/21/12) 

To begin, let … in “terrorism studies.”   

This is not just empty theorizing. Representations that tie queerness as sexual deviancy to the monstrous figure of the terrorist act to otherize and quarantine subjects classified as terrorists and to normalize and discipline a population through the invocation of these monstrous figures that translates into actual violence

Puar and Rai, 2  

(Jasbir K. and Amit S. associate professor of women's and gender studies at Rutgers University; Associate Professor of English at Florida State University, 2002 “Monster, Terrorist, Fag: The War on Terrorism and the Production of Docile Patriots” Social Text 72, Vol. 20, No. 3, Fall, CW, accessed on 2/21/12) 

Yet again, we … the normalized nation. 

A politics that demands the reconstitution to an ideal identity results in self-repression, violent assimilation and the eradication of others.

Connolly 91 (William E. Identity/Difference: Democratic Negotiations of political paradox, pg 177-78, google books, CW, accessed on 11/28/10) 

Without a particular set … of self-modification.   

This heteronormative method of knowledge production leads to continual marginalization, and eradication of individuals recognized with queerness

Yep, Professor of Communication Studies at San Francisco State University, 2004. (Gust A., Ph.D. in Communication., Queer Theory and Communication: From Disciplining Queers to Queering the Discipline(s), pg. 18). Jt

In this passage, … class, gender, and sexuality.

Contention Two: Queerness

The 1AC affirms queerness, not as an identity or even anti-identity, but as an assemblage that is spatially and temporally contingent, dismantling the representational mandates of visibility and stability in identity politics that feed narratives of U.S. sexual exceptionalism. This is not a strategy of “queering” human subjects, but of allowing subjects to appear in all their queerness – a method that allows for the temporality of being as always becoming. 

Puar, 05

(Jasbir K, “Queer Times, Queer Assemblages,” Social Media Text, CW, accessed on 8/20/11)

As there is…becoming/s beyong being/s.

The university space is point of intersection of power-effects - Academics shape regimes of truth and intermediate strategies of normalization – problematization of modes of knowledge formation instead of prophesying action within the realm of mundane politics is the best role for intellectuals

Deacon 2003

(Roger Alan, Political Science Researcher w/a Doctorate from U of Natal – Durban. Fabricating Foucault: Rationalising the Management of Individuals. P 102-105, CW, accessed on 2/21/12) 

This new role …effectiveness (Bourdieu 1989: 100)   

The role of the ballot is to endorse an intellectual strategy that best embraces queerness – communication scholarship has institutionalized heteronormativity through the use of specific practices in order to eliminate difference and control forms of knowledge

Yep, Professor of Communication Studies at San Francisco State University, 2004. (Gust A., Ph.D. in Communication., Queer Theory and Communication: From Disciplining Queers to Queering the Discipline(s), pg. 47-48). Jt

In other words, …human sexual subject.   

This year’s resolution, the United States Federal Government should substantially increase its democracy assistance for one or more of the following: Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, reaffirms a weak conception of democracy through state-centricity, reducing citizenship to episodic voting performances.  The nucleus of democracy is not the state, but a collective state of being defined by public deliberation, particularly of how our identities and oppression are shaped through social relations.  Even the assumption that we’re qualified to provide democracy assistance short-circuits reflection on our citizenry’s depoliticization.

Burch 99

(Kerry, Professor of Sociology at Ball State   University, “Eros as the Educational Principle of Democracy,” Studies in Philosophy and Education,” Studies in Philosophy and Education, 18, CW)

Few if any … principle of democracy.

The people revolting in the Arab Spring signify a better understanding of democracy than the debate community.  Social and philosophical inquiry is short-circuited if we don’t shift the focus of democracy from institutions to the people.

Burch 99

(Kerry, Professor of Sociology at Ball State University, “Eros as the Educational Principle of Democracy,” Studies in Philosophy and Education,” Studies in Philosophy and Education, 18, CW)

For Cornelius Castoriadis … questions and problems.  

The public-private divide is further entrenched through the misallocation of energy in the debate community.  Political justice, i.e. democracy assistance, is a relevant, public topic of discussion but eroticism is restricted to the bedroom, within heterosexual marriage, out of fear of confused thinking.  Sexual depoliticization has disconnected us from our bodies and every day struggles.  

Ellison 96 (Marvin, Professor at Bangor Theological Seminary, Erotic Justice: A Liberating Ethic of Sexuality, p. 7-8, CW)

Liberalism's strength is …of disordered power.  

How we relate to eroticism determines how we relate others, failure to engage in authentic eroticism causes body alienation through an attempt to control the other. Any mode of thought that is not sex-positive in its practice is unethical and denies the ability to affirm life.

Ellison 96

(Marvin, Professor at Bangor Theological Seminary, Erotic Justice: A Liberating Ethic of Sexuality, p. 76-81)

The moral problematic…abuse and oppression.

Misallocation of eroticism in the public forum teaches us that certain bodies are not worthy of an erotic relationship – while others are deemed acceptable – heterosexism becomes the policing tool in order to control the unacceptable desires

Ellison 96 (Marvin, Professor at Bangor Theological Seminary, Erotic Justice: A Liberating Ethic of Sexuality, p. 54-5, CW)

A related dynamic … joyful and worth living.

Debate should be about whose pedagogy best creates the possibilities for an erotic democracy. Thus Chas and I find it necessary to present the framework for this round as who best performs a methodology for an erotic democracy.  Absent an educational shift towards desire debate will only produce a spectator citizenry that can never comprehend the social orchestration of oppression or democratic practices not mediated through the state.  Ceding agency to the state – an institution that doesn’t exist outside of the interaction between sexual beings who create communal norms and scripts – is the fastest route to the privatization and extermination of the body as the precondition for authentic politics.

Burch 99 (Kerry, Professor of Sociology at Ball State University, “Eros as the Educational Principle of Democracy,” Studies in Philosophy and Education,” Studies in Philosophy and Education, 18, CW)

As Thomas Kuhn …modernist educational paradigm.

Thus our advocacy: Chas and I endorse the process of eroticizing democracy.

The affirmative endorses an methodology based in an erotic democracy – a reinvigoration of sexuality and identity, necessary to disrupt the current hierarchies attempting to subvert the erotic from our relationship with others

Heller 93

(Chaia, Political Philosopher at Burlington College, Ecofeminism: Women, Animals, Nature, “For The Love Of Nature,” P. 239-41, CW)

Learning to love, …and social worlds.

Voting affirmative is an endorsement of erotic politics as the best way to combat oppression – this is a method that begins with understanding how the world we live in is shaped by distortions in eroticism and that our starting point must be with the power of the erotic.

Lorde 81

(Audre, Feminst revolutionary writer and head of Table: Women of Color Press, The Lesbian and Gay Studies Reader, “The Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power,” CW)

Beyond the superficial, … same weary drama.

The Belief that our activisms must respond to the political conditions of our time through the leveraging of particular institutional appeals is precisely what nullifies our ethical potential.  No matter the force of its opposition, the connection of transformation with an appeal to our institutions, mediates our relationships in such a manner that ethical transformation outside this frame of mediation becomes impossible.

Hershock, 1999 (Peter D., Project Fellow at the EastWest Center, Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Hawaii, "Changing the Way Society Changes: Transposing Social Activism into a Dramatic Key", Journal of Buddhist Ethics 6, p 158-150, http://jbe.gold.ac.uk/6/hershock991.pdf) cnb

I have argued …generic co-existence  

The university space is point of intersection of power-effects - Academics shape regimes of truth – problematization of modes of knowledge formation instead of prophesying action within the realm of mundane politics is the best role for intellectuals

Deacon 2003

(Roger Alan, Political Science Researcher w/a Doctorate from U of Natal – Durban. Fabricating Foucault: Rationalising the Management of Individuals. P 102-105, CW, accessed on 2/21/12) 

This new role … (Bourdieu 1989: 100)