Queerness and the “Coming Out” Narrative

“The closet” is usually viewed as a negative space for gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, and questioning people, who are often encouraged not only to “come out,” but to share their “coming out” stories to family, friends, and the public as part of a process toward liberation and empowerment. This CFP is interested in how “coming out” narratives are mediated through other discourses, such as ethnic, national, neoliberal, feminist, etc. and the different affects such narrative mediations may have on personal, queer narratives. Questions to consider might be: When is “coming out” not in the best interest of the queer subject? How are contemporary neoliberal discourses affecting queer narrative practices? How are queer narrative practices mediated through other narrative discourses, such as spoken word, oral storytelling, personal blogging, etc.? How do feminist, ethnic, and different political discourses mediate queer discourses? How might queer narration remain “queer” despite pressures to capitalize on hegemonic discourses?