Tyler E. Kibbey, “Apotheosis//Anathema: The Language of Queer Divinity”, lecture

24 November 2022, 19:00

Non-normative sexualities and gender identities have represented a continual challenge to theological and political institutions throughout history. In that these institutions depend on the regulation of normativity as a means of asserting their authority, the religious and the political often work in parallel to marginalize and oppress queer communities. The extent of this oppression, when and where it exists, varies from country to country, from generation to generation. The Apotheosis//Anathema lecture broadly explores two themes in the study of queer language and expression: Anathema, or how queer individuals use language to resist religious accusations of sinfulness, and Apotheosis, or how queer individuals use language to imagine for themselves a new sacredness. Devils, Demons, Angels, Gods – Heavens and Hells – the 21st century pantheon of queer experience, as expressed linguistically, is all encompassing.