Queer Technologies

Queer Technologies is an organization that produces critical applications, tools, and situations for queer technological agency, interventions, and sociality. By re-imaging a technology designed for queer use, Queer Technologies critiques the heteronormative, capitalist, militarized underpinnings of technological architectures, design, and functionality. Queer Technologies includes, transCoder, a queer programming anti-language; ENgendering Gender Changers, a “solution” to Gender Adapters’ male / female binary; Gay Bombs, a technical manual manifesto that outlines a “how to” of queer networked activism; and GRID, a mapping application that tracks QT dissemination and infection.

Queer Technologies’ products are often displayed and deployed at the Disingenuous Bar, an attack on Appleʼs Genius Bar that offers a heterotopic space for political support for “technical” problems. Queer Technologies also delivers live demonstrations and produces video tutorials.

QT products are shop-dropped in various consumer electronics stores, such as Best Buy, Radio Shack, and Target. QT items are produced as product, artwork, and political tool and materialized through an industrial manufacturing process so that they may be disseminated widely.

Gay Bombs: User’s Manual is available as a PDF.

transCoder: Queer Programming Anti-Language is available to download as a .zip file.

Disingenuous Bar (2008): print manuals, software boxes with DVDs, hacked electronic components and packaging, two-channel video, vinyl, pink acrylic, desktop computers, and website

ENgendering Gender Changers (2008): hacked electronic components and packaging, set of nine

Gay Bomb & Logo Branding Swarm (2008): single-channel video (color with no sound, 1:21 min., looped)

Gay Bombs: User’s Manual (2008): print manual

transCoder: Queer Programming Anti-Language (2008): software box with DVD and .txt files

Gay Bombs Instruction Video, or How to Build and Use a Gay Bomb (2010): single-channel video (color with sound, 10:24 min., looped)

transCoder Instruction Video, or How to Use a Queer Programming Anti-Language (2010): single-channel video (color with sound, 8:34 min., looped)

Derivative Bomb (2012): single-channel video (color with sound, 1:33:45 hr., looped), vinyl, ceramic grenade, electric wiring