Gender and Sexuality: Delving into These Interrelated Issues

Gender and sexuality are complex and interrelated aspects of human identity that play a significant role in shaping individual experiences, social interactions, and cultural norms. These issues have been the subject of extensive research, discourse, and advocacy, as societies grapple with understanding and addressing the challenges faced by individuals whose gender and sexuality diverge from traditional norms. In this essay, we will delve into gender and sexuality multifaceted issues, exploring the impact of societal constructs, the experiences of marginalized communities, and the importance of promoting inclusivity and acceptance.

Literature Analysis: the Theme of Gender and Sexuality

'Langer reminds us that literature is a way to explore possibilities and help students find themselves, imagine others, value difference, and search for social justice”. Dealing with gender and sexuality issues help those whose voices have been ignored and humiliated for decades. It talks of the history and the present-day representations of homosexuality, bisexuality, transgender/gender expression and gender fluidity in novels. Initially these topics were not dealt with at all, and if they were at all represented in the novels, the characters either faced “death…rape and the rest in the realization that homosexuality as only a ‘passing phase'. Gradually, as more novels or stories began to get published, the status of the characters progressed until in the present century where LGBTQ has progressed rapidly and outspokenly discuss and portray the normalcy of it. Yet, LGBTQ is not gaining as much exposure in schools and classrooms as it should. General assumption of teachers of the students’ heterosexuality while teaching a text contributes to the homophobic environment. If educators and teachers do not create their classrooms to be a safe place for students of any gender and sexuality, then in future this will continue to be intolerant and suppression of people’s freedom of choice. Sieben and Wallowitz explores the restrictions, fears and anxiety that a teacher faces while deciding whether to teach controversial topics or not. But it is up to a teacher to educate and spread the awareness among her students of the discriminations and humiliations that are subjected towards LGBTQ community, intentionally or unintentionally, and build a better future where LGBTQs will not find it necessary to open up and fight for their gender and sexuality choices just like any other heterosexual person.

Banks exclaims that while it is a noticeable progress that people show sympathy towards characters and their struggle to survive and establish identity in an LGBTQ novel, it is now necessary to relate emphatically with the real people who suffer bullying and hatred because of their gender and sexuality choices. Reading should not be just kept for pleasure of the mind but utilized in developing one’s mind and personality and acknowledge the differences with an open mind.

It is from the beginning, just at birth of a child, the society projects clear demarcations of two communities, male and female, with blue and pink color respectively. It becomes of utmost necessity that the boy must play with his cars and mix with other boys, whereas the girl must play with dolls and be friends with other girls. The moment when the society will let them choose their own colors and their own company, accept their choices, there will be no fear or anxiety among teachers to teach certain novels or they won’t need to separately teach and spread awareness towards the fair treatment of LGBTQ.

Greenbaum talks of teaching different sexualities and genders in schools through literature as being a closeted lesbian herself at first and then coming out. She begins with the thought of how teachers and educators assume the heterosexuality of students while teaching a literary text and ignore or avoid homosexual traits, if any at all, in the texts- “every text, and everyone, is assumed straight”. Greenbaum started teaching gay subtexts in literature and gradually students themselves started to find out the underlying indications to homosexuality which were long avoided in texts. Teachers bring out Emily Dickenson’s letters to Rev. Wadsworth and Higginson but her letters to Susan Gilbert Dickinson are intentionally avoided.

Greenbaum talks about one of her students, Steven, opening to her as gay and later expresses his happiness and peace in at least coming out to someone. His fear of being discovered as a homosexual reflects the unsafe and homophobic environment that still resists in school, home and society. Greenbaum is surprised to see the excitement and thrill Steven experiences while exploring homosexual subtexts in Joseph Conrad’s The Secret Sharer and later researching on other literature and subtexts related to different sexualities. Greenbaum urges the teachers to “broaden their vision to include others beside themselves, beside the common Everyman which exclusively dominated literary vision and practice for far too long”. Another experience that Greenbaum shares is teaching a class, mostly of immigrants, the text, Cat on a hot tin roof where the topic of homosexuality was met with the common reaction of the class as “eeew”. Eventually, class after class, she was able to teach the students that homosexuality was as normal as heterosexuality- “By the time we got to writing, students discussed sexuality in terms of the play, in terms of a real person (me), in terms of people they've known and seen on the street.” 

Renzi et al. perfectly recapitulates the arguments made to include YAL in school curriculums. Every school’s primary purpose should be not just making students literate but also educating them, shaping them to form a more tolerant society where people can come out from stereotypical ideas, accept diversity around them and build a more caring and harmonious world. 

Conclusion

The issues of gender and sexuality hold profound significance in shaping the experiences of individuals and the fabric of society as a whole. Throughout this essay, we have explored the complexities surrounding these topics, shedding light on the impact of societal constructs, discrimination, and the importance of fostering inclusivity. To build a more equitable and accepting world, it is imperative to challenge and dismantle harmful gender norms and discriminatory practices. Promoting education, awareness, and empathy is crucial in fostering an environment where individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientations can thrive without fear of judgment or marginalization.

References

1. Butler, J. (1990). 'Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity.' New York: Routledge.

2. Fausto-Sterling, A. (2000). 'Sexing the Body: Gender Politics and the Construction of Sexuality.' New York: Basic Books.

3. Halberstam, J. (1998). 'Female Masculinity.' Durham: Duke University Press.

4. hooks, b. (2014). 'Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics.' New York: Routledge.

5. Kimmel, M. S. (2017). 'Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men.' New York: Harper Collins.

6. Lorde, A. (2017). 'Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches.' Berkeley, California: Crossing Press.

7. Sedgwick, E. K. (2008). 'Epistemology of the Closet.' Berkeley: University of California Press.

8. Serano, J. (2016). 'Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity.' New York: Seal Press.

9. Spade, D. (2015). 'Normal Life: Administrative Violence, Critical Trans Politics, and the Limits of Law.' Durham: Duke University Press.

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10. West, C., & Zimmerman, D. H. (1987). 'Doing Gender.' Gender & Society, 1(2), 125-151.