Sexuality: An Intersectional Endeavor for LGBTQ Studies in Sociology

Lee Thorpe Jr, West Virginia University
Misty L. Harris, West Virginia University

This paper looks at the various ways sexuality studies, more specifically LGBTQ studies, has been studied in academia. The authors outline those trajectories and, then, offer a new way to engage with LGBTQ studies within sociological thought: combining intersectionality with the sociology of knowledge. These frameworks are knowledge projects, they are interested in knowledge production and proliferation, and investigate historical aspects of phenomena. Based on the two frameworks, the authors state two hypotheses: 1) LGBTQ issues will not be studied until after 1973, which was the removal of homosexuality from the DSM and 2) LGBTQ issues will remain a single studied issue until the 1990s, which was the advent of intersectionality. The findings illustrate that the first hypothesis is supported, while the second is not supported. LGBTQ issues have always been an intersectional endeavor.

No extended abstract or paper available

 Presented in Session 244. Exploring Gender and Sexuality: New Methodological Endeavors