Queer Joy as Rage: A Tool to Transform

The Vermont Connection Volume 45 Rage and Revolution: Change and Transformation in Higher Education Article 2 April 2024 Queer Joy as Rage: A Tool to Transform E. Jeremy Torres Massachusetts Institute of Technology Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/tvc Part of the Higher Education Commons Recommended Citation Torres, E. (2024). Queer Joy as Rage: A Tool to Transform. The Vermont Connection, 45(1). https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/tvc/vol45/iss1/2 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the College of Education and Social Services at UVM ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Vermont Connection by an authorized editor of UVM ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact . 1 • The Vermont Connection • 2024 • Volume 45 Queer Joy as Rage: A Tool to Transform E. Jeremy Torres Highlighting the transformative potential of queer joy as a form of resistance and revolution within higher education. It emphasizes the need to challenge oppressive systems and narratives through the celebration of joy, reclaiming identity, and building resilience. By asserting and reveling in their joy, queer individuals can challenge societal norms, demand change, and affirm their right to live authentically. Jeremy Torres (he/they) is the current Assistant Director of LBGTQ+ Services at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Their scope of work focuses on uplifting Queer and Trans students across campuses. 2 • The Vermont Connection • 2024 • Volume 45 Queer Joy as Rage: A Tool to Transform Introduction In the realm of higher education, much attention has been dedicated to delving into the challenges and animosities faced by queer and trans (QT) individuals. Scholars, such as Graves (2018), Wilder (2013), and others, have meticulously examined the persisting oppressions like racism and colonialism in the United States, shedding light on their profound impact on the teaching and preparation of students. The imperative for universities to address these issues becomes evident, urging scholars to keenly observe the conditions influencing the experiences of marginalized communities on college campuses for a more profound understanding of their needs (Quaye & Harper, 2015). Among the diverse communities within higher education, QT populations emerge as particularly susceptible to inhospitable environments. Research studies (Evans, Nagoshi, Nagoshi, Wheeler, & Henderson, 2017; Vaccaro & Newman, 2017) reveal that QT individuals often grapple with a lack of acceptance and support due to prevailing heterosexist atmospheres. As QT scholarship evolves, it now encompasses a nuanced examination of various subgroups within the community, including considerations of spirituality, disability, race, and more (Duran, 2019b; Rankin, Garvey, & Duran, 2019). Recent endeavors have explored the concept of belongingness for QT students of color in higher education (Brcka-Lorenz, Duran, Fassett, & Palmer, 2019; Duran, 2019a; Strayhorn, 2019). While these studies contribute to understanding the multifaceted factors shaping the experiences of QT students of color, they primarily focus on individual identities, overlooking the crucial environmental factors influencing their sense of belonging. Most notably, these studies fall short in considering the transformative potential that centers around queer joy in the college campus environment for QT students. Resilience and Queer Joy The significance of resilience in higher education cannot be overstated, as it directly shapes student outcomes (Eisenberg et al., 2016). Walker and colleagues (2006) offer a compelling definition, portraying resilience as the ability to swiftly recover from challenges and endure ongoing hardships. Cotton et al. (2017), along with Nicolazzo (2016, 2017), introduce a nuanced perspective by presenting resilience not as a static possession but as an active verb—a practice. They argue that resilience can function as a strategic practice, empowering individuals to overcome oppression on college campuses (Nicolazzo, 2017, p. 88). In the context of queer individuals, resilience is often viewed as a tool to navigate oppressive systems like homophobia and transphobia (McConell et al., 2018). Recent scholarship, notably by Nicolazzo (2016), expands this understanding, centering resilience as action against systemic oppression, particularly evident in the experiences of trans and gender-expansive individuals. The concept of using joy as a tool for resistance against systemic oppression has deep historical roots, drawing inspiration from religious leaders, academics, and civil rights activists. As a self-proclaimed queer joy activist, I align myself with the resistance against systems that hinder happiness for people like me and the broader queer and trans community. Queer joy transcends mere contentment with one's existence; it encompasses optimism as a force propelling the movement toward equity. When marginalized identities become politicized, maintaining moments of genuine love 3 • The Vermont Connection • 2024 • Volume 45 and radical activism becomes a delicate balance. Preserving queer joy becomes not only essential for personal well-being but a means to center survival and resistance. Establishing spaces that allow queer students to embrace their individual identities is a personal priority, uplifting spirits and fostering inclusivity for those unable to fully participate in the community. The power of queer joy extends beyond personal experience—it becomes a formidable weapon against unjust systems. Thus, queer joy emerges as a radical tool against heterosexist and heterogendered systems of oppression, a force to be cultivated within and beyond higher educational settings. Making space for queer joy is a radical form of resistance against oppression for multifaceted reasons, each contributing to a profound transformation of societal norms and expectations. Positionality As a queer, nonbinary, and Puerto Rican individual, my commitment revolves around centering the experiences of queer and trans community members, a focus that forms the core of my extensive work and advocacy. I am deeply invested in educating others about the multifaceted challenges encountered by queer and trans collegians within the oppressive frameworks of heterosexism and racism, particularly as they manifest within the intricate landscape of higher education. At the core of my professional ethos is the deliberate rejection of objectivity, a stance that allows me to forge a profound connection with the passion that fuels my work. By discarding the notion of objectivity, I am empowered to be intentional and explicit in centering and articulating the profound impact of my positionality on my motivation and commitment to the realm of higher education. Drawing from my lived experiences as a first-generation, queer, Latinx individual hailing from and residing in the New York City projects, I navigate the co (...truncated)