Abstract
The chapter queer space(s) discusses the progress of a specific post-positivist current in cultural geography - the geographies of sexualities - a 'territory' which is yet to be explored in Czechia. Being acquainted with the manifold nature of this wide field of study, the author initially outlines fundamental works and categorises them based on their theoretical sophistication.
The author retains a competent theoretical perspective and utilizes this introduction for an associated objective - 'picking up the gauntlet' from the 20 years old book. In this respect some of the persistent insufficiencies in understandings of both postmodern and poststructuralist concepts of contemporary geographical thought are addressed.
By narrowing the focus of the chapter to the geographies of sexualities the discussions focuses on the development of the critical (re)conceptualizations of subjectivities, discourses, power (relations), knowledge (production), identity (constructions), and other concepts associated with the advancement of queer theory in geography. Special emphasis is put on elucidating two of the possibly most important theoretical influences in queer geographical thinking.
First, the chapter looks at Michel Foucault's ideas concerning the 'nature' of power, knowledge and discourses. It then continues with the influential and fruitful deconstructive thinking of Judith Butler (primarily on gender and sex) together with introduction of her theory of performativity.
As a consequence of this chapter the space itself as one of the primary concepts in geography will be destabilized as neither fixed nor solid. Further it will be eloquently presented as not only socially constructed, with meanings (re)produced in a complex mode, but also deconstructed as something in the (performative) process of becoming.
The author is convinced that the discussed phenomena vastly exceed the realm of sexualities, regardless of the thematic focus of this chapter.