The Queering of Relational Psychoanalysis

ABSTRACT

The author argues that queer theory and relational psychoanalysis have influenced each other in significant ways. These include the designation of “queer” superceding the essential identity categories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender; multiple implications for gender and sexual orientation developmental theories; the necessity for the analyst to foreground countertransference issues in relation to gender; and a less defended relationship to erotic transferences and countertransferences.

Key Words:

• Queer theory
• relational psychoanalysis
• gender development
• erotic transference
• reotic countertransference