No destination: queering mobility through the virtuality of movement

Abstract

This article advances the epistemological potential that exists at the nexus of queer theory and mobilities research. It aims to queer mobility by rejecting the idea of the destination and embracing the virtuality of movement instead. In doing so, it draws on the queer symbolism of the closet and the cruise to highlight the heteronormative framing that has come to define and constrain the new mobilities paradigm. Arguing that anybody has the capacity to be ‘queer’, it calls for a redefinition of the subject and an exploration of the world-making possibilities that emerge when the virtuality of movement is foregrounded.

Keywords:

• Queering mobility
• new mobilities paradigm
• queer theory
• virtuality
• movement

Disclosure statement

The author reports that there are no competing interests to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This article was supported by the Lee Kong Chian Fellowship, Singapore Management University.