nd e r
Feminism, Ge
& lit y
e x ua
S
Gender /// Sex
Sex: term denoting the role of an
individual in the biological
reproductive process.
Gender: term denoting how one
relates to society.
Gender /// Sex
Sex: term denoting the role of an
individual inThese don’t
the biological
reproductive process.
always agree.
Gender: term denoting how one
relates to society
Gender /// Sex
Body Identity
Gender /// Sex
Body Identity
Gender /// Sex
Sex: biological femaleness or
maleness
Gender: cultural femaleness or
maleness (or other, such as transsexual or
intersexual)
Gender /// Sex
Gender is a fluid category
Gender is a perpetual performance?
Male/Female have anatomical-
biological correlates…
Masculinity/femininity are culturally
constructed, and subject to social
negotiation.
ALPHABETICAL:
LGBTQIA…
Lesbian
Gay
Bi
Trans
Queer
Intersex
Asexual / Ally
ALPHABETICAL:
LGBTQIA…
Queer Theory
Challenges the notion of sexual
identification.
“Queer is by definition whatever is at odds with the normal, the
legitimate, the dominant. There is nothing in particular to
which it necessarily refers. It is an identity without an essence.
'Queer' then, demarcates not a positivity but a positionality vis-
à-vis the normative.” (Halperin 1997)
Queer Theory
-Challenges the notion of sexual
r is w ver is at
identification.
h a t e
“Quee th e
it h th e n o r m a l,
od w
ds the dominant. There is nothing in particular
“Queer is by definition whatever is at odds with the normal,
the legitimate,
, t h e d o m in a n t.” to
le gitim a te
which it necessarily
essence.
refers. It is an identity without an
'Queer' then, demarcates not a positivity but a
positionality vis-à-vis the normative.” (Halperin 1997)
Queer Theory
-Challenges the notion of sexual
r is w ver is at
identification.
h a t e
“Quee th e
it h th e n o r m a l,
od w
ds the dominant. There is nothing in particular
“Queer is by definition whatever is at odds with the normal,
the legitimate,
, t h e d o m in a n t.” to
le gitim a te
which it necessarily
essence.
refers. It is an identity without an
'Queer' then, demarcates not a positivity but a
t he oppos it e of
m p ly
positionality vis-à-vis the normative.” (Halperin 1997)
Queer is s i
wha t is no r m a l.
2013, the Government of Bangladesh
officially recognizes the hijra as
neither men nor women, as a third
gender.
With legal definition comes a firm
definition.
Hijra defined as those with “genital
disability” – hijra are considered
disabled.
But Hijra do not see themselves as
disabled…
Hijra are popular seen as delinked
from sex & sexuality.
BUT, among Hijra most are considered
male-bodied, feminine-identifying
Most are attracted to male-identifying
people.
Hijra “sacrifice their male genitals in
return for spiritual power to bless the
newly wed and newly born.”
Gov. and public though, don’t
consider Hijra to be male-bodied or
female-bodied. They prefer to think of
them as third-gendered.
Is this because of social dismissal of
gay and trans identities?
Many in Bangladesh deny existence
of LGBT groups
Hijra not seen as LGBT group… Hijra
not seen as a choice among the
public
Hijra not allowed to be officially
translated to English
International community romanticizes
Hijra?
Majority of Hijra come from poor and
working class.
Hijra anti-discrimination laws framed
as anti-disability-discrimination, not
concerned with sexual discrimination
Hijra not allowed to be officially
translated to English
n itio n e x c lu d e s
L e ga e c o g
l r romanticizes
International community
t id e n tif y a s h ij r a
Hijra?
m a n y th a
Majority of Hijra come from poor and
working class.
n o t a llow e
Hijra anti-discrimination laws framed d to
Many Hij r a a r e
as anti-disability-discrimination, not
u n d e n e w la
concerned with sexual discrimination
r w s
be Hi j r a
Heteronormativity:
Questioning Normal
NO R M A L ?
NO R M A L ?
NO R M A L ?
Normative
Dictionary says: establishing, relating to, or deriving
from a standard of behavior.
t h i s me a n ?
What does
NO R M A L ?
Normative
Dictionary says: establishing, relating to, or deriving
from a standard of behavior.
So, HETERONORMATIVITY is the social practice
through which heterosexuality is constructed to appear
normal, natural, or what is “supposed to be”.
Taking for granted opposite-sex preference in
individuals.
NO R M A L ?
What is Natural?
NO R M A L ?
What is Natural?
An idea, practice, or thing that would
exist independent of humans
(and their culture).
NO R M A L ?
What kind of sexuality does “nature”
want or prefer?
None. Nature doesn’t want or prefer
anything.
NO R M A L ?
Same-sex intimacy is not exclusive to
humans.
So, it’s not the corruptive result of
culture.
Evolution works on the level of species.
NOT INDIVIDUALS.
NO R M A L ?
If it benefits the perpetuation of a population
to have exclusively opposite-sex partners,
then it’s “good” for evolution.
If it inhibits the perpetuation of a population
to oppress the range of sexual practices
available to its members, then it is “bad” for
evolution.
But there is no way we are
“supposed to be.”
NO R M A L ?
If it benefits the perpetuation of a population
to have exclusively opposite-sex partners,
then it’s “good” for evolution.
N o rm vi o l a t i o n s a re
If it inhibits the perpetuation of a population
e c e s s a r y !
n the range of sexual practices
to oppress
available to its members, then it is “bad” for
evolution.
But there is no way we are
“supposed to be.”
What is a heterosexual?
“Heterosexual” is an invented
category.
Remember: groups need counter
groups to exist.
The group “White Icelander” doesn’t
really exist, it doesn’t need to,
there’s not a counter group from
which it needs to distinguish itself.
What is a heterosexual?
The practices of same-sex and different-sex
relationships have existed forever.
But the terms homosexual and heterosexual are
historical products of the 19th century (early efforts of
psychologists).
Historically in our society, there was a need to
distinguish oneself from people with same-sex
preference.
Intersectionality
INTERCONNECTED
Economic
class Religion
Nationality
(Dis)ability
Race
Gender
Sexuality
Intersectionality
Highlights intra-group differences – not all
members of a group feel the same way, have the
same experiences.
Intersectionality
Highlights intra-group differences – not all
members of a group feel the same way, have the
same experiences.
Intersectionality seeks to demonstrate the racial
variations within gender and the gendered
variations within race.
Intersectionality
Highlights intra-group differences – not all
members of a group feel the same way, have the
same experiences.
Intersectionality seeks to demonstrate the racial
variations within gender and the gendered
variations within race.
The notion that subjectivity (our experience) is
constituted by mutually reinforcing vectors of
race, gender, class, sexuality, and nationality.
Intersectionality
How to apply
Intersectionality?
“Ask the other question” Method
See something that looks racist, ask if there
is sexism. See something that looks sexist,
ask if there is racism. See something that
looks homophobic, ask where are the class
interests…
