Can Queer Theory be useful for a feminist agenda?

Abstract: Queer theory has in resent years become popular within most academic disciplines. Its aim is to problematise, denaturalise and denormalise heterosexuality to dissolve the heteronormative. The concept of heteronormativity draws upon Foucault's theory of normative judgment and refers to heterosexuality as a social institution with particular forms of practises that divide the ?normal? from ?abnormal?. Within feminist theory there is also a tradition of problematise heterosexuality which began with the radical feminists in the 60's but the aim of radical feminist was different than the one queer theory has. They saw it as an oppressive institution with sustains the subordination of women. Now 40 year later, there is a renewed interest in sexuality within feminist theory that have brought us Judith Butler's work on gender and sexuality. Within feminism there has been a debate about the usefulness of queer theory for the feminist fight for equality. In this paper this question will be examined through theories of sexuality and space from a queer perspective to see if it is useful from a feminist point of view which leads to the conclusion that a successful feminist critique of heterosexuality must contain two elements: a critique of heterosexuality's normative status in society and of its gender relations.