Sexuality and Censorship
Subtopic 1: The Purpose of Censorship – An Introduction 

Censoring expressions, representations, behavior, images, speech, and thoughts regarding sexuality are not new concepts - in fact, they are all too familiar. So familiar, they influence how we censor ourselves in the privacy of our own thoughts and actions. It becomes "normal" to think of something as "necessary" to censor.

In South and Southeast Asia, we have seen a variety of censors based on government and civil society's fear of "depraved" sexuality. Governments, State institutions, society, and independent cultural and moral guardians are constantly banning things they think should offend the sensibilities of the upstanding citizen and "normal" human being - especially when it involves sexuality. They constantly equate morality and character of an entire community and culture to the kinds of images and representations it produces. Therefore, many people may think it is better to police those images and thoughts that are outside of the limits of "normal" sexuality, lest we "corrupt" everyone else. Furthermore, the idea that anything could be suppressed simply by banning it is too simplistic. In fact, hasn't it been our experience that the minute you ban something, people can't wait to get their hands on it?

It is necessary to explore what we are not talking about when it comes to censorship and sexuality. There is almost total silence when it comes to talking about sexuality, as if the very utterance of the word would create social anarchy and pandemonium. One of the most common reasons for using censorship regarding sexuality is that either sexuality has the most potential to become "obscene" and "vulgar," or that it dishonors and objectifies women, and images must be policed to "protect" them - all in the name of the 'public good.' Who decides the boundaries of "decency" and how are those determined?

For the next two weeks, we will be examining the following questions as a part of the forum discussion:

1. What is censorship and what forms does it take? What is the need for censorship in society? Is there a need in the first place? Why or why not?
2. What is so contentious about sexuality that we are constantly devising censors to control/modify/rectify it?
3. Whose responsibility is it to censor? Who decides who the censors will be? Who benefits from it?
4. Is freedom of expression the opposite of censorship? What does it mean to be anti-censorship?

Please feel free to write in your analyses, observations, thoughts, comments, and examples addressing any, one, or all of the issues and questions raised above. Alternatively, please pose new questions you feel are relevant for this sub-topic.

In the coming weeks, we will address a variety of topics related to sexual pleasure, sexuality and rights. These will include:

Subtopic 2: The "Censors" - The Public versus Private
Subtopic 3: The Case For and Against Censorship
Subtopic 4: Censorship and "Good Sense"

We look forward to a lively and exciting discussion!

Regards,

Neha Patel (Moderator)
The South and Southeast Asia Resource Centre on Sexuality