Saher Husain Week 4.

Thinking Sex: Notes for a Radical Theory of the Politics of Sexuality by Gayle S. Rubin shows us how sexuality, even though not considered important at times of political wars, should be considered as a main aspect as well because even sex is political in nature. It is because of how people control sexuality and how oppression due to this takes place that sexuality should be considered as a political aspect and not just a private affair. The author talks about how anti- obscenity laws were established in the late nineteenth century making all advertisements or selling, etc of obscene things as illegal. The author also talks about how a shift in the way sexuality was looked at, took place when people started recognizing homosexuality as a menace, who were called terms like “sex offenders” or “child molesters” and were deemed something as close to unnatural. Which led to persecution of homosexuals by the state itself, wherein people were beaten up or even arrested by the police and as time passed, even though this continued, we understand how this led to a form of change in the society through increase protests and rise of activism, even though less in number but leading to a huge impact.

            The way sex or sexuality is perceived is an interesting outlook where sex is not only something that is biologically created but also something that is constructed by the society. A hierarchy is observed even in this concept showing us how sexuality turns into political in nature through such division or line that is created in order to justify what is good or bad. Transformation of such outlook takes place mainly through change in ideology of the majority group of people in a society which then can lead to changes in laws pertaining to such minorities, who because of regressive laws are forced to stay hidden or undergo persecution if exposed. It is because of such persecution that such minorities are forced to stay destitute thus being subjected to exploitation. Hence, through this article we understand the ways how sexuality is perceived in the society and the impact of such ideology of the society on the ones who are most vulnerable to such interpretations and outlooks making us realize that there is still a long way to go for transformation in the society.

Submitted By- Saher Husain (18010673)