Lawrence v. Texas
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Gender and Sexuality
Critical Theory •
Structuralism/Post-structuralism
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Post-Modernism
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Post-Marxism
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Feminism
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Post-colonialism
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Black Criticism / Black Feminist Criticism
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Theory is power! Critical theory is powerful!
16, Sex and Gender •
Lower body embraces reproductive organs and anuses; power symbols of transformation
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Censorship has prohibited the exploration of sexuality on TV
• Many of the South Park episodes display that in “male sexuality is the possibility that all men have homosexual thoughts” (Johnson-Woods p. 246)
Gayness and LGBT Issues •
Coming out, gay marriage, sex changes, gay adoption
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Usually through a male lens
Gender Performance
Identity Politics •
Are categories important to identity like gender, sexuality, race, culture, religion, ethnicity, etc. the product of nature or are they learned/performed?
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Identity exists naturally, is fixed, and biologically determined (essentialism)
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Or, identity is made, unmade, remade in a constant evolution (construction)
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Attempt to empower those who are oppressed by hegemonic culture and lead to political and social change
Nature vs. Nurture •
Nativism (born with qualities)
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Pre-programmed to behave a way
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Construction (identity comes through experience)
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Blank slate
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Meaning/identity • given by nature/birth
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Identity is not a choice
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Scientific cause (gene) for identity (homosexuality?)
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Meaning/identity is given through society
Identity based on relation to subjects/objects
Performativity •
Judith Butler, 1990
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Identity is fluid and no “essence”
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Gender is an act, a performance or impersonation
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This “act” has been practiced through history
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Gender is something you do and not what you are
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Drag as challenge to gender identity
Queer Theory •
Fluid identities
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“Queerness” avoids categories like “gay” or “lesbian” and looks at mismatches between sex, gender and desire
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Categories/labels exist as discourse only –
Categories are themselves socially constructed
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Opposes binaries like gay/straight
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Is sexual orientation natural or essential to the person or is sexuality subject to change and a social construction?
LGBT Rights •
Until 1973, homosexuality was considered a mental disorder; homosexuality can be “cured” (religion?)
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Same sex marriage (offered by 16 states)
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Gays in the workplace (discrimination)
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Gays in church/religion (discrimination, unholy, etc)
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Adoption by same sex couples
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Hate crimes (bias) punishable by federal law
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Lawrence v. Texas (2005), Supreme Court,
“The Death Camp of Tolerance” (2002) •
Lemmiwinks
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Discrimination in the workplace
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Mr. Garrison "intolerant of his own behavior"
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Intolerance won't be tolerated
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Tolerance of something one hates is different from acceptance of it as good
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Libertarian philosophy?
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Intertextuality?
Death Camp of Tolerance •
“Paradox of tolerance,” Popper
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Open societies required intolerance for intolerance
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Those who prevent free thought/speech should be prevented of the same –
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South Park and censorship
When a tolerant person acts antagonistically towards intolerance, thus intolerant of it; then becoming intolerant themselves
“Follow that Egg” (2005) •
Commentary on same sex marriage and adoption
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Stan and Kyle are better parents
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Same rights but “Butt Buddies”...equality?
18, Marriage •
Same sex marriage in 16 states w/ benefits
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Marriage is government contract and social structure/institution to promote family structure
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Arguments against: –
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Arguments for: –
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1. religious scripture 2. procreation 3. bigotry/tradition 4. family structure
1. same rights 2. family as socially stabilizing
“The best case for gay marriage is that there is no compelling, legitimate case against it.”
Negative Liberty •
John Stuart Mill
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Power should only be exerted against one's will to prevent harm to others
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Governments must prove harm as related to the behavior
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This is a natural right...civil rights guarantee natural rights via government contract
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