ABSTRACT
Scholars have drawn a parallel between the public plea for unauthorized residents to “come out of the shadows” and the exhortation for LGBTQIA individuals to “come out of the closet.” While the focus in these comparisons tends to be on the individual anguish and/or agency involved in such a decision, there are additional issues in terms of identity formation. The process of outing oneself can be empowering but can also lead to categorization and consequent penalties. Using Queer Theory and Foucault’s discussion of the creation of sexual “sub-races,” this chapter scrutinizes the choice and consequences of publicly accepting certain labels. Once in the public gaze, how much power do individuals have to control how they are seen? In interrogating this question, the chapter explores ways to eschew the state’s categories and identifies potential places for such creative and transformative actions. The chapter argues that speech acts, counterpublics, and the creation of sub-state communities can provide a way to be seen while still eluding state disciplinary practices.
