News – Georgia
An update on the recent condemnation by a Georgia lawmaker on “Queer Theory” classes in the Georgia State University system.
Inside ‘queer theory’, Southern Voice, Matt Schafer.
GSU professors defend sexuality research, Southern Voice, Matt Schafer.
Excerpts from the above headlines follow:
Lawmakers questioning the validity of Georgia college professors who are experts in “queer theory” are misguided in their attempts to inflame controversy, according to other professors in the field who stress their research is less provocative than opponents suggest.
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Dr. Lynne Huffer is the chair of Women’s Studies at Emory University, which is private, and has taught queer theory courses at Yale and Rice universities. She said queer theory taught in classrooms is likely much different than the perceptions of legislators.
“All they would need to do is come to one class to see how absurd their claims were,” Huffer said. “It would be nice to see some of these legislators learn to do what I try to teach my students, and that is to think critically.”
Queer theory looks at how sexuality and gender are expressed in literature and culture, in a similar fashion to feminist theory.
GSU professors defend sexuality research
Three professors from Georgia State University appeared today before the Senate Committee of Higher Education to defend their jobs.
On Feb. 6, state Rep. Charlice Byrd (R-Woodstock) called out GSU for having experts in oral sex and male prostitution. Dr. Kirk Elifson, Dr. Mindy Stombler and Dr. Donald Reitzes, the chair of GSU’s sociology department, appeared before the Senate committee on Feb. 18 to defend their research.
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Sen. Seth Harp (R-Hull), the committee chair, acknowledged his hearing was a reaction to Byrd’s comments, but said it was a meaningful use of his committee’s time.
“I think hearing what these other folks have said, and realizing that there is legitimate research being done, is very helpful,” Harp said.
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