Question

Week 8- Heterosexism Choose a topicbelow and discuss the role of sexuality inthat culture. You can choose particular people or divide the periods ortribes up to write this. 1) Ancient Greeks and sexuality(1500 BCE-200 CE) 2) Native Americans and the third sex (1400- 1800 CE) 3) Ancient Romans and homophobia (300 BCE-500 CE) 4) Christianity and homophobia (300- 1600 CE) 5) Islam and homophobia (662- 1600 CE) 6) Modern homophobia inthe United States (1960-2000) 7) Homosexuality in India (1940-2009) 8) The AlDS crisis (1983-1993) 9) Castro District- San Francisco (1940-1985) 10) Yoruba Culture and Homosexuality (1500-2000) 11) Anytopicof your choosing with professor approval 1) Outline the basichistory of the event(s). You can use a timeline or write it out. 2) How did your society or era perceive sexualityin general and homosexuality in particular? 3) What role didreligion play inperceivednorms on sexuality and homosexuality? 4) What values, beliefs and attitudes are reflectedinthe role of sexuality in yourtopic? 5) What were the benefits, punishments, detrimentstonot adheringto yourtopic's norms? 6) How did yourtopic's views on sexuality influence modern American perceptions and values, beliefs and attitudes

Answer 1

HOMOSEXUALITY IN INDIA(1940-2009):

1) HISTORY:

• In reference to ancient Indian text- Kamasutra , homosexuality was prevalent in India and wasn't considered to be inferior to anyone except until 18th century
• First ever study on homosexuality India was conducted in 1977
• It was considered a criminal offence in India until 2009 Delhi high courts decision to decriminalise it

2)SOCIAL PERCEPTION:

• sexuality is a topic which is rarely discussed in india
• discussing about sexuality is general is considered a taboo in the indian society
• this situation even though started in the past few decades, the proportion of people comfortable to discuss the topic are negligible
• homophobia was widely prevalent in india
• homosexuals were considered inferior and alienated
• this trend gradualy changed with help of social media and fils which played a major role in shaping of society in modern era

3)ROLE OF RELIGION:

• Even though inida is a land of many religions, the most dominant one is hinduism
• the hinduism embraces sexuality and refers to it as the second stage in life of a man out of 4 stages
• marriage is given the highest place
• homosexuality is believed to be prevalent in hinduism and there are sculptures supporting this in ancient hindu tmeples
• but in the modern society different religions have different opinions and some even consider it to be sin that should be punished

4)VALUES, BELIEFS AND ATTITUDES:

• according to Indian beliefs and values, marriage is given very high importance and respect is considered as something between a man and a woman
• anything other than this is considered against nature
• the attitude towards homosexuality is polarising
• while some believe its completely natural, others contradict
• Some value the opinions and choices of others , the other group consider it to be a sin

5) BENIFITS, PUNISHMENTS OR DETRIMENTS TO NOT ADHERING TO THE TOPICS NORMS:

• homosexuality is considered a punishable offence since the colonial era until 2009
• the people who follow homosexuality were imprisoned for 10 years and in some religions they are either whipped, stoned to death or imposed death penalty