Queering Taiwan Studies

Abstract:

 Ku’er, the Mandarin transliteration of the English word “queer,” has a distinctly Taiwanese genealogy, as implied in the homophonic meaning of being “cool.” This conference examines the interrelationships between queer studies and Taiwan studies, from placing Taiwanese history and culture on the map of queer inquiry to the queering of Taiwan studies. Does queer Taiwan studies mean a focus on queer content, or is “queering” a method that can be used in studying any content in Taiwan studies? In light of the emergence of queer indigenous studies and queer of color critique in North America, how might we consider the question of indigeneity, race, and ethnicity in queering Taiwan studies? Ultimately, what can a focus on Taiwan do to exceed the existing limits of queer theory, and how might the method of queering advance the transgressive potential of Taiwan studies?

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