Queer Theory

states that

gender is part of identities are not

essential self fixed and do not
determine who
we are

ideas

human body is not a destabilization

determiner in gender of cultural narratives

definition
gender
performance
example
definition
intersex born
individuals

we are taught “boy things” or “girl things” by

watching others do them

taking character, word and sentence out of place

“nothing is what it seems”

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework

As shown in figure 1, our research will be focusing on "Queer Theory". Queer theory

basically states two things, that (a) gender is essential, and (b) identities do not define humans.

When looking at the perceptions of people on Gay and Trans genders, Queer Theory comes into

play, as they (public), may not have a clear understanding of what "Queer Theory" is (shown by

the unacceptance of Philippine society to LGBT individuals) (USAID 2014).

Without a clear understanding of Queer Theory, individuals may see LGBT individuals in

a negative light. Queer Theory would open up their minds to some questions these curious

individuals may have to LGBT members such as: "Why do you act like a girl?" (gender

performance), or "Why don't you like 'men things'?" (destabilization of cultural narratives).
 Majority of the Philippines who do see LGBT members in a negative light due to the

cross-dressing or transvestitism displayed by specifically trans genders (USAID 2014). In

addition to this, the concept of "gender performance" may be introduced.

Gender performance states, that men are taught "manly thing" and women are taught

"girly things" due to the visual immersion they received in that field. To simplify, they are what

they are because of what they saw (Blackwell 1996). The concept of gender performance may be

introduced to give non-trans people more understanding on why some trans genders act like so.

This paper intends to answer how "Queer Theory" is applicable and how prevalent the

knowledge about the latter is in our country.