Paranoid vs. Reparative Reading: A Queer Lens on Inclusion, Possibility, and DEI
Paranoid vs. Reparative Reading: A Queer Lens on Inclusion, Possibility, and DEI
Sometimes the way we engage with the world feels like one big detective novel. Always searching for the hidden meaning, the power imbalance, the bias lurking under the surface. And look, that’s useful. That’s how a lot of us in DEI (and beyond) have learned to navigate systems that weren’t built for us. But what if, instead of always searching for the next big ‘gotcha’ moment, we let ourselves be surprised? What if we read the world with a little more curiosity and a little less suspicion?
I first came across the idea of reparative reading while watching a show called State of Play at The Flying Nun in Sydney. The show explored assumptions about queer-disabled lives through a mix of performance, pop culture, and theatre history. With a nod to Blanche DuBois as an alcoholic, sad girl, and neurodivergent icon, it played with the idea that anything can disable us at any time, but life still goes on. It was this exploration that sparked my curiosity and led me down the rabbit hole of reparative reading. What I discovered was this beautiful, affirming approach to reading and engaging with the world—one that immediately felt useful in my DEI work.
What’s Reparative Reading?
Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick—queer theorist, icon, and general legend—gave us this idea as a counterpoint to what she called "paranoid reading." Paranoid reading is exactly what it sounds like: reading with the expectation that there’s something harmful hidden just under the surface. It’s great for unearthing oppression and injustice (there’s plenty to find), but it can also make every interaction feel like a battle.
Sedgwick pointed out that this type of critique often operates under the assumption that exposing harm is the best or only way to bring about change. And yet, she argued, the dominance of paranoid reading has marginalized other modes of engagement ones that focus on repair, care, and joy. She acknowledged that reparative approaches are often dismissed as naïve or unserious, but she challenged us to reconsider: What if critique could also be about building something new, not just uncovering what’s wrong?
Reparative reading, on the other hand, invites us to read with the possibility of pleasure, connection, and, well… hope. Instead of only looking for what's broken, we also ask: What might be nourishing here? What might surprise us in a good way? What little joys or insights are hiding in plain sight?
Queer Folks Have Been Doing This Forever
If you’ve ever found a queer subtext in a book that definitely wasn’t trying to be queer, congratulations—you’ve been a reparative reader. Queer people have a long history of scavenging for joy in places that weren’t necessarily built for us. We read between the lines, find ourselves in unexpected places, and repurpose the bits and pieces of culture into something that feels like home.
That’s the spirit of reparative reading—taking what’s available and making something beautiful, nourishing, or even just a little bit fun out of it. And if that sounds like a good strategy for DEI work, well… you’re onto something.
Why This Matters for DEI
DEI spaces can get heavy. So much of the work is about identifying harm, inequities, and the systemic barriers that need dismantling. And yeah, we absolutely need to keep doing that. But if we only ever approach this work through a lens of critique, we risk losing the spark that keeps people engaged.
Reparative reading is a way to shake things up. It reminds us that:
Not everything is terrible, all the time—there are real moments of progress, connection, and joy in this work.
Curiosity is a superpower—instead of assuming we already know the problem (and the solution), we stay open to discovery.
People respond better to possibility than punishment—if we want change, we have to make it feel worth it.
How Do We Bring This into DEI?
At Equality Group, we believe in creating spaces where people can move beyond just identifying problems to actually fostering environments that work for everyone. Our approach isn’t about ignoring harm but about balancing critique with curiosity, joy, and action. Whether through workshops, strategy development, or creative engagement, we help organisations build cultures that thrive on connection and growth.
Start small.
Instead of only analysing what’s wrong with an organisation’s culture, look for what’s working—what’s already inclusive, joyful, or worth amplifying?
When facilitating DEI conversations, make space for curiosity. What are people noticing that they didn’t expect?
Celebrate wins! Yes, critique is important, but so is acknowledging when things move in the right direction.
Approach this work with a bit of playfulness. Reparative reading isn’t about ignoring harm—it’s about making room for something else alongside it.
Sometimes, it’s just about finding a little bit of unexpected joy in the mess of it all.