Or, How to Queer the World
August 1999
It may seem pretty facile to say that there is power in joy. After all, "the power of positive thinking" is unlikely to truly affect the globalized economy, oppression of the poor or the destruction of the green places of the Earth. But I truly believe that engaging in joy is a revolutionary act. Let me explain why.
We live in a grey world that applies vast pressures to conform. One is told from childhood that it is expected that we will all grow up, become serious, respectable, responsible and productive members of society. And as we become adults, the world becomes greyer and greyer. Working in oppressive and regimented jogs; conforming to what we perceive to be the expectations of the world around us; dressing in dark colours like black, grey, blue; standing in rows; living in boxes; conform, conform, conform! What a drab and joyless existence.
Why does joy or the absence of it matter so much? In my observation, joy is a true affirmation of life and dignity. I’m not talking about feeling happy, or relaxed, or pleased because something went my way. I’m talking about joi-de-vivre, the uplifting, rapturous delight that flows from loving oneself, one’s world and the people in it. I’m talking about the free-flowing giddy delight of running along a lonely beach at dawn and feeling the sun’s first light touch your face. I’m talking about the intensity of connection between two people when they see each other honestly, without pretence, and reach out to one another. It’s the childish glee of dancing along the median strip of a main road during rush hour with a silly grin on one’s face, or paddling in a public fountain on a summer’s day simply because it’s there and you’re hot.
Joy is the natural enemy and antithesis of conformity, of the grey world. It re-affirms our faith in our own dignity and the dignity of others. Joy is never oppressive, cruel or destructive – it says "the world is a wonderful place! Come join me in celebration!" This is why society frowns so much on spontaneous expressions of joy. If people are dancing in the street, hugging each other or singing for joy, they can’t very well be sitting obediently in little grey boxes, dying inside all the while.
Joy is an antidote to the soul-death of conformity and the grey world. It encourages connections between people, trust and honesty. And this is why Queer activism needs to embrace joy in all its manifestations. For what is Queer about if it’s not about love? Joy is our strength, and it is our best weapon against patriarchal oppression.
No, it won’t destroy the capitalist economy or end poverty. But if one conforming, straight person from the grey world looks at us in our Queerness and joyousness and says soulfully "I wish I were like you", then, in that moment and at that time, we’ve won.