Accessing Beyond Suffering: The Case for Uncoerced Pleasure in Disability and Trans Politics

Milo Obourn, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Women and Gender Studies, SUNY Brockport

Recent work in queer and trans affect studies has focused on the importance of so-called “negative” affects as a way to push back against the pressure on trans and queer people to embody hope or positivity (Ahmed, Awkward-Rich). Similarly, people with disabilities are often expected to be representations of the good and there is little room for negative expressions of disability identity or politics. This talk looks for places where pleasure and joy might hold radical political potential for both.

Contact: Heather Cleary, Ph.D., clearyha@lemoyne.edu