Outing autoethnography: an exploration of relational ethics in queer autoethnographic research

Abstract

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to open up a deeper, more complex discussion about ethical issues in queer autoethnography, by moving beyond either an outline of seminal autoethnographic thinkers, instigators, and writers, or a simple rearticulation of the key issues currently under discussion within the field of autoethnographic ethics.Design/methodology/approach– The author’s intention is toqueerautoethnographic ethics – that is, to employqueeringas a verb, and to queerly examine autoethnographic scholars through the problematizing lenses of unexamined privilege, and of potential ethical violence to the researcher. After this, the author turns to theological writers to help us to queer the notions of ethical certainty, challenging our fear of ideological uncertainty, our fear of the body, and our fear of ambiguity.Findings– This paper offers a more expansive and challenging approach to traditional autoethnographic ethical guidelines. It also raises several significant questions for ongoing scholarly discussion in the field.Originality/value– It is hoped is that this paper will open up new possibilities and trajectories in the ongoing debates about autoethnographic ethics.