“Punks, Bulldaggers, and Welfare Queens: The Radical Potential of Queer Politics?” by Cathy J. Cohen

Cathy Cohen’s “Punks, Bulldaggers, and Welfare Queens” argues that queer politics should not revolve around the dichotomy between queer and heterosexual. Cohen asserts that queers should focus on coalition building, on a basis of more than just sexual orientation, with those who are othered and don’t necessarily benefit from cis-heterosexual privilege. As Cohen argues, a politic that claims there is an inherent disadvantage of queerness and advantage of heterosexuality fails to address that various systems of oppression are connected and privilege is multifaceted. It’s not enough to declare that one identity is always beneficial. This means that queer people who are wealthy or white get to absolve themselves of any privilege because of their queerness. The struggles of queer people, BIPOC, poor people, etc. are tied, and this connection must be acknowledged and utilized. The most interesting point Cohen makes in this piece is that in the same way queer sexuality has been regulated and controlled, the sexual behavior of nonnormative heterosexuals has also been heavily policed. Nonnormative heterosexuals, like “welfare queens” (women with children who utilize government assistance), kinksters, etc., are viewed as sexually deviant and, as a result, face discrimination in their daily lives. While the degree to which they are discriminated against varies, it is crucial that their positions in society are taken into account in queer politics.

Cohen’s argument really drives home the point that liberation is a multifaceted issue. It will take a lot of effort to liberate all people from oppressive systems. Solidarity amongst oppressed people, even if they do not share the same life experiences, is necessary in the effort for liberation.

Cohen, Cathy J. “Punks, Bulldaggers, and Welfare Queens: The Radical Potential of Queer Politics?”. GLQ, vol. 3, no. 4, 1997, pp. 437–465.