Sexuality and Identity

Sexuality and Identity

1. Quinn (2001)

   • Studied same-sex relationships of some tribal people. Many native American Tribes celebrated same-sex marriage between two males, with the 'wife being a feminine acting 'berdache' who dressed in female clothing, and between two females, where the 'husband' was a dominant 'amazon' who participated in male activities and was often a female warrior.
   • She also noted that some sub-Saharan African peoples have man-boy marriages ceremonies. These African 'boy-wives' are between 12 and 20 years of age and the boy-wife is treated the same way as a female wife. When he becomes a man, he becomes a warrior, and takes a boy-wife of his own.

2. Weeks (1987)

   • Points out not many would say 'I am heterosexual' in relation to their identity, but to say 'I am gay' or 'I am a lesbian' makes a statement about belonging and your relationship to dominant sexual codes.
   • Further argues that 'sexual identification is a strange thing', and more complex than other aspects of identity.

3. Mary McIntosh

   • Argued that in Western cultures, the role of homosexual male involves certain expectations or cultural characteristics. Eg: the homosexual role may include effeminate mannerisms, a higher voice and attention to appearance.
   • McIntosh argued that once a male has accepted the label or identity of 'homosexual', he will start to fulfill these expectations, so the label actually creates the behaviour.

4. Rich (1980)

   • Argues that a women's sexuality is oppressed by men in patriarchal society, through institutions such as marriage, through sexual violence and rape and through sexual objectification of women.

5. 'Compulsory heterosexuality' (C)

   • Describes how women are socialised into a sub-ordinate and heterosexual role, ensuring they are available to their men.

6. Plummer (1996)

   • Partially supports McIntosh's ideas, seeing homosexuality as a process and discussing the 'homosexual career' (C), where a male who has accepted the label of homosexual will seek out other and join a subculture in which stereotypical homosexual characteristics become a norm.

7. Weeks (1991)

   • Talks about sexual identification and says that some people are involved in the gay community but don't participate in sexual activities.
   • Boys who take part in gay sexual activities but don't class themselves as gay are known as 'rent-boys.' They are scared about what society will say about them so choose to keep it to themselves.