The spaces of the margin. History of Sexuality and LGBTIQ studies from an interdisciplinary perspective

Abstract

The essay offers an overview of LGBTIQ studies, by analyzing several texts that have influenced the debate and research about the history of sexuality and LGBTIQ identities. The first part examines the forms of exchange and contamination between LGBTIQ and historical studies. The author argues that, since they emerged in the 1970s, LGBTIQ studies have aimed at challenging the specific forms of discrimination carried out against gays and lesbians, by highlighting the historical and social construction of sexuality and sexual identities. The essay focuses in particular on the importance of works by Michel Foucault, Adrienne Rich, Monique Wittig, Judith Butler, Teresa de Lauretis and American “women of color,” and their influence on historical research. The second part of the essay examines the photographs taken by several artists whose work focuses on sexual identities, such as Claude Cahun, Nan Goldin, Catherine Opie and Del LaGrace Volcano.