A person’s gender is the fact that they are either male or female and in rare cases, hermaphrodites. In this context, sexuality can be defined as the ability of a human being to be sexually attracted to another person. The other person could be of the opposite sex, commonly known as heterosexuality; or either sex, which is known as bisexuality. In the modern world, homosexuality and pan-sexuality cases are on the rise. In rare cases, some people are not attracted to others.
According to Don Kulick, in his fieldwork carried out in Papua New Guinea, Brazil, Sweden and Italy, he speaks of gender binary as classification of sex and gender into two forms that is: masculine and feminine. He goes further to elaborate on social boundary that prevents and discourages people from mixing responsibilities. This boundary is meant to prevent creation of a third form of gender expression. It clearly and categorically groups people and their roles in the society as either male or female, with no margin to accommodate intersex or transgendered people.
Gender and sex has been, and is still one of the most contested issues in the modern world. It has brought conflicting positions among nations, religions, ethics, theology and societal norms. For instance, in the year 2011, a British premier warned the African states that Britain would withdraw her financial aid if they will not recognize gay rights. Most states reciprocated by stating categorically that gays had no place in Africa. They argued it was against family values as well as a taboo according to their traditions. In particular, Robert Mugabe, the Zimbabwe president, has repeatedly said that his Africa as a continent has more than enough women for all men and therefore, gay marriages and actions cannot be accommodated at all costs. This continued criticism and rejection of gays and their activities in such nations has led to mass protests and demonstrations while others have decided to pursue the legal channels to have them recognized. The issue has been so serious to an extent that some have migrated to countries where they are recognized or have a soft stand on gay issues.
Lesbianism has also been on the rise. In the past, these people were not coming out openly to demand for recognition in the society. However, recently, all these groups have come out openly to champion for recognition in the society, actually terming it as their human rights. Some argue that such rights should be enshrined in the constitution. It is still a debatable issue whether these emerging groups should be accommodated in the society or not.
On the other hand, in his book, Travesti, Kulick brings out the issue of male prostitutes. A prostitute is a person who solicits money for sex. Prostitution was commonly associated with women. However, male prostitutes have also emerged of late. It is notable that prostitution is legalized in countries such as Netherlands, Canada and the United Kingdom. There has been a tussle between these prostitutes and the government to legalize prostitution. Once more, moral beliefs and religious concerns have stood on the way, and an amicable solution is far away from reality.
However, there have been legal channels to championship for the rights of the intersexual or hermaphrodites since their situation are nature-defined. The issue of whether such people should be classified as male or female has arisen in the modern world especially in prisons. It is not clear whether such people should be taken to women’s or men’s prisons in case of conviction. This has led to creation of such prisons. Sometimes, one cannot tell to which sex such people fall by physical appearance or by voice. Their mode of dressing as either male or female is therefore acceptable. However, the society would not allow them to be in a skirt today and in a men’s suit tomorrow. They also have the right to marry to either male or female.
According to Don Kulick, in his research, Same-sex sexual desire came out as a gender variant role in some societies, whereas it did not in others. A gender role is anything that a person does and says to show that they are male, female or androgynous. These roles are brought out at a very teen age. For instance, in most societies, girls were more confined to kitchen chores than boys.
Don Kulick also did extensive research on travestis especially in the Salvador city of Brazil. Travestis are males who feign female characters. For instance, as early as the age of ten years, Kulick discovered that some male adopted female names and hairstyles. Moreover, their clothing style was similar to that of females. They also tried to speak in soft voices, a feminine character. They inject themselves with female hormones. These hormones enlarge their hips and breasts as well as their thighs. However, despite all this, travestis do not identify themselves as women. They are regarded as mentally disturbed. Travestis earn their daily bread through prostitution. They view prostitution as a positive experience.
According to Kulick, transgesnderism never occurs in a natural form. Neither does it occur in an arbitrary form. Transgenderism is created in a particular social setting and assumes a particular social form. Besides the fact that travesties deviates from societal norms, Kulick argue that, the whole of Brazil society and Latin America have something to learn from them.
In conclusion, the struggle to have a common stand on the issue of gender and sexuality is far from over. It is also made difficult by the fact most people have taken hard positions to compromise their belief either due to religious affiliations, taboos, moral beliefs or societal stand.
