Judith Butler is a prominent theorist known for her groundbreaking work in gender studies. Her influential texts, such as "Gender Trouble," challenge conventional notions of gender and argue that it is a socially constructed performance rather than a fixed identity. Butler’s theory of gender performativity has had a wide-reaching impact, influencing feminist theory, LGBTQ+ studies, and cultural studies. By questioning traditional binaries, her work encourages a more nuanced understanding of identity and the fluidity of gender, making her a critical figure in contemporary social theory.