Gayle S. Rubin
THINKING SEX: NOTES FOR A RADICAL THEORY OF THE
POLITICS OF SEXUALITY
The author probes into the varied and often
problematic interpretations of sex over the history of the society. Further, she
emphasizes how the idea of sex and anything related to it is seen as obscene
and is hence, kept secret, especially for the "protection" of the
young, "innocent" minds. The author talks about the Draconian
Victorian laws and Victorian morality which is a problematic one. Viewing sex and choices driven by desire
as independent of the political and social structure, hence, becomes a
rudimentary understanding of sex.
The author talks about morality
and homophobia and the attack on the non-conventional genders because of their sexuality.
This is so because the act of sex is viewed as something that must be private
and contained, not being spoken of in public. The author talks about radically
changing this approach. The ‘Family Protection Act 1979’ is an example of such
arbitrary and immoral laws where there was a crackdown on same-sex people and
they were manhandled.
Towards the end Rubin talks
critiques about the different approaches, she also highlights the centrality of
sex and sexuality in the feminist discourse, arguing that this allows us to
understand notions of sex and sexuality better, without being constrained by
traditional conservative thought and says that a radical change should be
brought in this approach.
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