week 4 – sexuality: sex, power and intimacy

In chapter 4 we will discuss sexuality. Popular culture deluges us with sexual images, but it is rare that we stop and analyze these messages. We will analyze the sexual scripts written for us and how they affect our feelings and our lives. How do gender and societal norms influence sexuality? We will read about this in “Sexual Desire and Gender”. Isms we have discussed – like ageism and ableism – also have a huge effect on our sexuality and how it is perceived by others. Sexual identity is “an individual’s romantic and/or sexual … identity and behavior toward other people” (WVFV, p. 169). If it is individual, why is a person’s sexual identity so closely examined by others? Is one’s sexual identity really anyone else’s business?

We will examine queer sexualities and the particular issues faced by non-heterosexual people. In American culture, one is assumed to be straight – this is called heterosexism. GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered individuals) often face a process called “coming out”, where they may disclose their sexual identity. The way coming out is presented, makes it sound like a one-time thing. “I came out, and now everyone knows I am gay.” However, coming out is a continuous process. GLBT people may constantly examine their comfort level, or even their physical safety, in a new situation. There are several (short) additional Web resources for this chapter focusing on GLBT experiences – please read them carefully.

As Schwartz and Rutter point out, “[g]endered phenomena, like marriage, tend to appear “naturally” so.” (p. 180). There may be many aspects of sexuality that you have not taken the time to dissect academically. bell hooks makes the case for the way romance is created by culture and thus sets us up for failure and disappointment. I look forward to reading your examinations of the politics of sexuality.

Chapter 4 reading list

Textbook readings:

• Chapter 4 introduction, Women’s Voices, Feminist Visions 3rd ed.: p.165-179; 4th ed.: p.170-185
• Reading 26 “Sexual Desire and Gender”, Schwartz and Rutter, 3rd ed.: p.180-187; 4th ed.: p.186-193
• Reading 27 “Romance: Sweet Love”, hooks, 3rd ed.: p.187-191; 4th ed.: 193-197
• Reading 28 “Biphobia”, Deihl and Ochs, 3rd ed.: p.191-195; 4th ed.: not available
• Reading 28 “What Is Bisexuality?”, Baumgardner, 3rd ed.: not available; 4th ed.: p.197-203
• Reading 29 “I Was a Cosmo Sex Deviant”, Berkowitz, 3rd ed.: p.195-198; 4th ed.: not available
• Reading 29 “Gate C22″, Bass, 3rd ed.: not available; 4th ed.: p.203-204
• Reading 30 “La Güera”, Moraga, 3rd ed.: p.199-202; 4td ed.: p.204-208
• Reading 31 “Prue Shows Her Knickers”, Oxford, 3rd ed.: p.203-205; 4th ed.: p.208-210

Supplemental readings:

• “Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Glossary of Terms” Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. http://www.glaad.org/Page.aspx?pid=375
• Cass Model of Sexual Identity Development (PDF)

  http://www.ecu.edu.au/equ/resources/docs/Sexuality_cass_model.pdf

• How Does Homophobia Hurt Us All? From GLSEN, (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network)
  Adapted from Warren J. Blumenfeld, ed. Homophobia: How We All Pay the Price

  http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/library/record/1279.html

• Heterosexual Privileges From Allies Committee, Texas A&M University http://allies.tamu.edu/resources/heteropriv.htm
• Heterosexual Questionnaire [Reversal of Questions Frequently Asked of Gays Based on Homophobic Premises] by Martin Rochlin, Ph.D. http://monster-island.org/tinashumor/humor/quest.html
• Gloria Steinem biography http://www.gale.com/free_resources/whm/bio/steinem_g.htm

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