From Stigma to Empowerment

The discourse of queer language in Felix Ever After

Abstract

The study explores the evolution of queer language in Young Adult (YA) literature, focusing on the transformation of stigmatizing terms into empowering expressions of identity in Kacen Callender’s Felix Ever After. By undertaking Judith Butler’s theory of gender performativity and Michel Foucault’s concept of power and discourse, the research analyzes how language functions as a tool of both oppression and resistance in the lives of queer individuals. The study uses qualitative textual analysis to examines how Callender’s use of reclaimed queer lexicons such as “queer” and “demiboy” enables characters to assert fluid identities and challenge heteronormative structures. The novel demonstrates how identity is performed and renegotiated through language, revealing literature’s role in shaping social norms and offering avenues for self-affirmation. The findings underscore that language not only reflects but actively constructs queer experiences, empowering marginalized youth to navigate societal boundaries and define themselves on their own terms. Ultimately, this paper highlights the transformative power of YA fiction in resisting dominant discourses and fostering inclusive, representative narratives for queer readers.