Diverse Genders and Sexualities
Subtopic 1: Politics of Identities– An Introduction 

We have been taught that 'sex' is a biological concept whereas 'gender' is a sociological one. This means that the organs/genitals we are born with, go to determine our biological sex i.e., whether we are male or female. On the basis of our biological or anatomical sex certain roles and responsibilities are assigned to us and this forms 'gender'.

However, many people are not comfortable with the roles and responsibilities that automatically get attached to them because they belong to a particular biological sex. For example not all girls like to cook and not all men are physically strong. These roles and responsibilities are not the same across different cultures and contexts. For example, in contrast to patriarchal societies, the woman is the head of the household in a matriarchal society.

Also, we know of or come across people who are born with indeterminate or ambiguous genitals. This means that they are not born as either a biological male or a female, but have the biological characteristics of both, making them intersexed. In these cases, it is very often left to the doctors to assign a particular biological sex to the child. Many intersexed people may not identify or feel comfortable with the sex that they have been assigned but are forced by society to conform to the corresponding gender roles.

We also know that there are many people who change their gender and sex in varying degrees from dressing and behaving in ways that conform to their desired gender to surgically altering their bodies to fit that of their desired gender. So we see that there are many ways in which gender is played out.

Playing out gender also involves playing out sexuality. Though the two are not the same, gender and sexuality do overlap in some places. Sexuality is a sensitive subject even for those who conform. For those who do not conform, either to the norms that govern sexuality, or to those that govern gender, or to both, what happens? What are the common and not so common ways in which people express their gender and their sexuality? In fact, how many genders are there? Only two as we have been taught or more? Also, how can we create spaces to talk about the multidimensional nature of sexuality? How can we be more inclusive and affirmative in the way we address sexuality?

So let's focus on these questions and begin our discussions.

Arpita Das (Moderator)
The South and Southeast Asia Resource Centre on Sexuality