Q. What is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender studies or queer studies? How can I find out more about it?

A. The field of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) studies involves the academic investigation of sexuality in established fields such as literature, history, theater, law, medicine, economics, sociology, psychology, anthropology, and political science. By its very nature, LGBT studies is interdisciplinary. LGBT Studies programs have developed at universities across the country and around the world to expand our knowledge and understanding of contemporary societies. LGBT Studies encourages students to think across established disciplines in order to understand the meaning of sexuality in society.

For example, some courses ask philosophical or sociological questions, such as why the social categories "homosexual" and "heterosexual" exist. What does the existence of sexual categories tell us about society? Other courses ask historical questions about the specificity of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trangender lives. How have "queer" communities evolved over time? What is the meaning of same-sex sexuality in a global context?

The terms LGBT and queer have both been used as labels for these fields of inquiry. In many cases, the terms are used interchangably. However, the word queer is used by some for its disruptive quality to challenge institutionalization, whereas LGBT may be seen as more institutionalized. (For a further discussion of these issues, see the introduction to Michael Warner's book "Fear of a Queer Planet".)

For more information on LGBT and queer studies, click here.

Submitted by Beverly D. Tuel, Ph.D. You can reach Dr. Tuel at Beverly.Tuel@colorado.edu

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