1) In this book, the author shows that Iran is just not a country with fundamentalism and fanaticisms. How far is she successful in evaluating this claim?

Throughout this book the author has been successful in showing that there are only a few people in Iran who are fanatics and fundamentalists, the rest are liberal and modern. I think that this also teaches us a very important lesson, that the whole country should not be judged based on the activities of a few individuals.

2)How important are revolutions in bringing about a change in the country?

I think that revolutions indeed play a very important role in bringing about a change in the country and for the people. The recent example of the revolution on Egypt can be used to support my claim

3) What are the feelings of a child when the revolution takes place?

I think that if I would have been a child and a part of this revolution, then I would definitely do whatever I could that would prove to be beneficial for my country and its people.

1) The change in the Pakistan Citizenship Act which allowed foreign men married to Pakistani women Pakistani citizenship. Would it be beneficial for the society and the country?

I think that granting Pakistani citizenship to foreign men would further create problems for the country as these men would lead to an increase in the population and there would be an influx of foreign men into the country. They could perhaps also get involved into other criminal activities which would crumble the social fabric of the society

Reading- Locating the feminist voice: The Debate on the Zina Ordinance. By :Shahnaz Khan

2) The Hudood Ordinance does not benefit the women in any way, but still nothing is being done about this. Why?

I think that women’s issues are not taken seriously by the society and the government and their voices remain un heard. I think that it is mainly the poor women who are affected by these laws and so little or no heed is given to this matter.

3) Why are only women affected by such ordinances and not men?

Throughout the Pakistani society it is seen that men hold a dominant position in the society and so even if they commit serious crimes, a blind eye is turned toward them Patriarchy, I think is the main reason why such ordinances are not framed for men. Even if they are then it is assured that amendments are made so that a man’s rights are not subjugated in any way.

The 1960’s were a period of immense social upheaval in the United States. The consumer led boom and well-ordered complacency of the previous decade had been replaced by uncertainty, increased paranoia, and a breakdown of deference. The Black Civil Rights Movement was on the march, anti-Vietnam War demonstrations were on the increase, draft-dodging was rife, there was violence on College Campuses, and change dominated the political agenda.

Despite all this the United States continued to be a deeply conservative society, and in many places remains so to this day. So our image of 1960’s America as a place of long-haired, carefree, experimental, liberated youth is misleading. These people were only ever a tiny, if vocal and demonstrative, minority. The path to liberalisation was to be a slow and painful one. Deep-seated social attitudes cannot be changed as easily as the law. Even so, small steps make for big strides. One such small step that was to lead to previously unimagined change was to occur in the early hours of the morning of 28 June, 1969, in New York City.

The Stonewall Inn was situated on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village. It was Mafia owned and part of the Genovese Family Empire. They put any personal prejudices aside when they saw the opportunity of making money from the large gay community that resided in the village. The Stonewall was grubby, it had poor sanitation, no fire exits, and no licence to sell alcohol (though it could always be found on the premises). It was, in fact, a dive, but it was a gay dive. It was also the only one in the city that permitted dancing. Access to it was tightly controlled in an attempt to keep out undercover police officers, known without affection as Lily Law and Betty Badge. Even so, in common with New York’s other gay bars, it was subject to regular police raids. These could often be avoided through kickbacks and pay-offs. But this was not to be the case on this particular night.

A raid could be a frightening experience. All of the lights would be switched on and in the full-glare of illumination everyone present would be forced to line-up. It was illegal at the time in New York to wear the clothing of the opposite gender so those transvestites and drag queens present would be liable to arrest. As were also lesbians who were not wearing the three items of feminine clothing required by law. Everyone would then be made to provide identification with the likelihood that their parent would be told, their employers informed with the prospect of losing their jobs. It was also possible that their name, and even their picture, would appear in the local newspapers.

At 1.20 am on Saturday, 28 June, the patrons of the Stonewall Inn were interrupted in their revelry by the announcement, ” Police! Stay where you are, we are taking the place.” Eight police officers, both plain-clothes and uniformed, now entered the Inn. As usual the lights were turned full on and everyone was ordered to line up. Those men in drag were taken to a back room where their gender identity would be confirmed by a female officer. On this occasion, however, there appears to have been a series of altercations and in the confusion some tried to rush past the police whilst others attempted to flee through the windows. It wasn’t going as smoothly as usual. The police called for back-up.

In the meantime, a crowd had begun to gather outside and many of those in the Stonewall who had been released now refused to leave the scene. The police responded by trying to manhandle the crowd. A drag queen who had been violently shoved by a policeman reacted by attacking him with her handbag. A lesbian who was handcuffed refused to be led into a police van and struggled so ferociously to free herself from the police officers grip that he resorted to striking her repeatedly with his truncheon. Bloodied and forced to the ground she cried out to the onlookers ” why don’t you guys do something.” Some in the crowd began to throw coins, and so well known was the corruption of the New York City Police, that they chanted ” Here’s your pay-off,” as they did so. The police went into the crowd lashing out with their truncheons as they did so. The crowd temporarily dispersed but soon returned having raided a nearby construction site for bricks, iron bars and other material. The police now came under a barrage of bricks, bottles, and garbage cans. Individual scuffles began to break out and some witnessed the unusual sight of a burly policeman being floored by a drag queen.

With the crowd outside the Stonewall now numbering around 600, the police were heavily outnumbered. Tempers were frayed, missiles continued to be thrown, and some now tried to overturn the police vans. The police were in utter-confusion and had lost control of the situation. Ten officers, taking handcuffed prisoners with them, retreated back to the Stonewall where they barricaded themselves in. The by now furious crowd tried to batter the doors down, others used lighter fuel to try and set the building alight. Fearing for their lives, the police took out their guns and threatened to fire. This sort of thing wasn’t supposed to happen – fags don’t fight back!

The police officers in the Stonewall were under siege for about 45 minutes before reinforcements arrived in the form of the Tactical Police Force, effectively New York’s riot police. Bizarrely, in response the drag queens present formed a chorus line, singing as they did so, ” we are the Stonewall girls, we wear are hair in curls.” They kicked out at the police line as it advanced. It was a rare moment of humour, but the police were not amused. They had been humiliated this night by a bunch of faggots and they were angry.

By 4 am it was all over and the streets had been cleared. The riots continued the following night. This time there was not the same direct provocation but the gay community was asserting itself. The Village was their place and they’d had enough of that shit. Over the next few nights there continued to be sporadic violence but it soon petered out. The beat poet, Allen Ginsberg, who in support of the community visited the Stonewall Inn a few days later, remarked to a friend upon his return, ” You know, the guys there were so beautiful – they’ve lost that wounded look that all fags had ten years ago.”

The Stonewall Riot and the events that followed over those few muggy June nights saw the beginning of the Gay Liberation Movement. No longer would homosexuals be cowed. No longer would they quietly seek to earn officially endorsed respectability. They would be loud, they would be proud, and they would be out there. Yet again it would be a slow and painful journey, but things would never be the same.

A majority of people don’t see things the way I do or even think of this point of view that I’m giving you. But think about it and give me some of your feedback. COMMENT BELOW AND SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS

The government of every country plays an important role in framing the policies for the benefits if its citizens. One example of such policies is gender related policies. In many countries women are discriminated in all spheres and little or nothing is being done by the government in order to amend or improve these policies to promote gender equality at all levels.

It is seen that many women face discrimination at work and there is gender inequality. They cannot aspire to reach a good position at the work place, even though their skills, talents and abilities are similar to those men. A “glass ceiling” exists at the work place which acts as a barrier for women and limits their chances of women to rise within the hierarchy of an organization.  The sociological theory of Lisa Atkins also says that many women face sexual harassment at work and their complaints are not taken seriously by the employers.  I think that the solution to this can be that the policies should be framed in such a way that the government should take steps to frame policies that promote equality. Jobs should be based on skills and expertise and not on gender. Together with this, there should be equal opportunities of promotion for both men and women, and both should have a right to exercise their work according to their will. In households’ women play w very important role in domestic work and child rearing, but there work is not recognized because it is “unpaid”.  In order to make this work recognized, policies should be made that propose help in domestic work and child rearing by both parents. An effort should also be made by the NGO’s  to go from door to door and ask women about how they want their work to be recognized.

Like women, there are some policies that should also be made for men, so that gender equality is promoted. Like women, men should also get paternal leave from work. Also, it is seen that many people who are seen on the streets are men and not women. The reason for this being ,that men are not protected and given shelter like women, and so something should be done by the government to give shelter to homeless men.

Thus I think that in every country the government should make a conscious effort to make a list of policies that promote gender equality at all levels so there is no equality and all discrimination based on gender comes to an end.

            Baird’s chapter “Queer” allowed me to explore my feelings about who I am, my values and lived experiences that have molded my beliefs today. I value correct terminology because words can be offensive and become very hurtful. I also believe that language is embedded within our culture as is learned through experiences. In my past experiences, queer was usually used to describe an unusual behaviour or to make fun of someone who seemed different then the majority. As suggested by Baird (2004), “it originated in the gay sub culture of the times and only later became a mainstream derogatory term” (pg. 95). Due to my past experiences queer has a negative undertone which makes me scared and nervous to use the word myself as it may still be an offensive term for some people. However, personal identity and expression of self also determines individuals’ beliefs of this once derogatory term.

            The impact of the word queer creates personal feelings that I believe depend on identity of self expression, personal preference and sexual orientation. I guess you could say that I have become very confused about when an appropriate time to use the word queer is, due to the fear of offending someone. I am worried I may accidentally insult someone by trying to use the word. For example, some people use the word Ma’am to label a certain category of women. I hate being called Ma’am. However, no one knows this unless they have asked prior to the situation; people need to speak out in order to correct or challenge views on personal expression. As suggested by Baird (2004), “[queer] reminds us that labels and categories can easily become part of oppression” (pg. 97). Speaking out and awareness, as was demonstrated in class, creates open-mindedness which is important as I am an emerging social worker, and furthermore, create inclusiveness for all LGBTTIQQ people. This alone will allow me to feel harmless, knowing I will not offend anyone, therefore creating an environment which is inclusive and safe for everyone.

            In light of this new learning I can now start to make sense of my own life and what I will bring to practice. As suggested above I believe that language is an important part of practice. Language is what shapes our relationships, creates community ties and ultimately what builds unity as we work towards an anti-oppressive practice. The dialogue process is both learning and knowing and it is when this takes place that I can start making sense of the word queer and what it means to people who refer to themselves as queer. Only after voices are heard and personal preferences are noted will I feel more wholehearted to use queer; I am still reluctant because past experiences and Baird’s historical view have shaped my outlook of the word queer. However, I know now that asking questions will not only allow me to use proper terminology but create stability, unity and respect towards sexual orientation and gender identities. I can also start to make sense of this new learning by educating people around me. I can to this by correcting people if I heard queer being used out of context, as well as educating people to accept and use non-offensive language. This will allow people to start to acknowledge that there is a right and wrong way to use words like queer and truly understand the negative connotation that has been oppressing LGBTTIQQ people for years.

            Clearly, the word queer has transformed over the years as well as people’s views about the word. From a personal perspective, queer has allowed me to explore correct uses of terminology and what I need to do in order to use them correctly. I need to be open-minded to language in which people refer to themselves. I also have learned that I need to have respect and understanding for LGBTTIQQ people in order to become a more effective practitioner. Awareness and education alone has allowed me to grow and I will continue growing as I share my new learning with people around me and as I emerge into social work practice.

Reference

Baird, V. (2004). Sex, love & homophobia: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lives.   London: Amnesty International.

Coming out is a difficult process for most gay, lesbian, and bisexual people. The most difficult part of the coming out process may be coming out to yourself and accepting your own sexuality. You may be wondering if you are actually gay or bi, or if you are simply “confused.” You may also be reluctant to accept the fact that you are attracted to members of your own sex if you were raised in a homophobic environment, and want to continue to live in denial. These feelings are normal, but it is important to accept yourself for who you are if you want to be truly happy.

How can you know if you are gay or just “confused?” If you are attracted only to members of your own sex, you are gay. If you are attracted to both genders, you are bi. It’s that simple. Where it gets confusing is when you are in denial. Most of us were told from a young age that we would eventually settle down with someone of the opposite sex, and have internalized this “goal.” It can be difficult to determine if you are actually attracted to the opposite sex, or if you are simply attracted to the idea of settling down in that “normal” life that your parents always wanted for you. For example, if you’re a woman, you may date men simply because you have been socialized to want marriage and children someday, even if deep down you know that you really want to be with another woman. 

There is no such thing as being “confused.” Straight people like to throw this word around to make non-straight people feel like there is something “wrong” with their sexual attractions, and that eventually they will figure it out and end up with someone of the opposite sex. Any “confusion” you feel is simply the result of internalized denial. Once you learn to accept yourself for who you are, you won’t feel “confused” anymore.

Before you can come out to other people, you must first come out to yourself, and actually learn to accept your sexual orientation as part of your identity. To begin this process, you may want to write your feelings down in a diary or journal. It may seem a bit juvenile to keep a diary, but writing down your thoughts and feels are a great way to sort them out.  Start a diary entry with “I am gay” or “I am bisexual” (whichever the case maybe), and write down all of your feelings surrounding this new revelation to yourself. You may want to write about how you first started to think you were “different” (for example: Was there anyone you had a crush on as a kid who was the same gender as you? When did you first notice you were attracted to other girls/boys?). It may seem silly to write this down, but seeing it in black and white can help you to actually accept it. Remember, no one else is going to read your diary or journal. 

You may also want to see if there is a Gay-Straight Alliance or any support groups for gays, lesbians and bisexuals in your area or at your college. Talking to other people who have been through the same thing as you can help you to better come to terms with your own sexuality. If you have no one to talk to about these issues who actually understands how you feel, you may feel alone, which can make it much more difficult to accept yourself. It is also a good idea to have a support system in place before you come out to those closest to you. You want to have someone to turn to if your friends and family aren’t as supportive as you had hoped. 

It is important to your mental health and well being to be able to accept yourself for who you are. If you are still in the closet, it is time to stop living in denial and come out. The first person you need to come out to is yourself. If you can’t accept yourself for who you are, who can?

You may also be interested in: 

Is Sexual Orientation a Choice?

Why “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Should NOT Have Been an Issue in The First Place

What Does “Interested in” Mean on Facebook?

Myths About Bisexuality

Why Do So Many Women Identify as Bisexual? – Part 1: Attention

Why Do So Many Women Identify as Bisexual? – Part 2: Confusion

Why Do So Many Women Identify as Bisexual? – Part 3: Real Bisexual Women

Can Anyone be Truly Bisexual?

Get Paid to Write!

WEEK 3

The readings of week 3 mainly focus on the aspects of honour, passion and violence. What they are and their broader classifications in relation to different contexts.

 READING-BEYOND HONOUR

1)Why are women always blamed for destroying the honour of the family? Many a times men also perform many acts and crimes which are seen as bringing dishonor to the family, but a blind eye is always turned towards such crimes and they are ignored. Why?

I think that the males are always giving a preference over females, if our society is kept in mind. If a woman does something wrong then it can be seen as bringing dishonor to the family and so are occasionally made the victims of honour killings. Men, because they are stronger and powerful are not punished even if they commit a very serious crime or act. I think this is because the society is patriarchal which means the domination of men and their power. It is because of this that when something is being done by men it is always ignored and is seen as being done to protect the honour of the family

2)Why in our society can the women not expect to take an action against her husband? And if she does so why does her family or community go against her?

I think that this is due to the perception that men are superior to women and so they have to be faithful and loyal to their husbands in all circumstances. If she does not do so then she is brutally treated. This is why women continue to lead subdued lives and do not speak against the injustice inflicted upon them

THE READING SEXUALITY, GENDER AND RIGHTS

3)Is the media playing a role or doing anything to protect the rights of the transgender people?

I think that the media is not playing an adequate role in protecting the rights of these people and in giving them respectable representation. They should be treated like everyone and should not be exploited or discriminated against.

WEEK 4

READING COMING TOGETHER

1)Can the laws that are discussed in the article really bring a change in the society and in the attitudes of the people?

I think that an increase in the awareness among people and the introduction of effective laws can bring about an effective change in the lives of the people. If proper awareness is spread and if education is imparted then I feel that the attitudes of the people can change and respect can be developed for people belonging to other communities.

READING COMING TOGETHER

2) Is there discrimination  amongst the LGBTQ community? If yes then why?

There is increased discrimination amongst the LGBTQ community. There is discrimination against the transgender community and they are looked down upon by other people from the community.

READING COMING TOGETHER

3)Are the organizations like Ahung really working to make a change in society? If yest then why are many people not aware of the work that they are doing?

I think that organizations are coming up and functioning effectively to make a change in the society but I consider these organizations as silent peace makers, that is they are doing a lot but are hidden from the eye of the tools like media.

1)What difficulties would child X face in his teenage and adult life, keeping in mind that he did not have any idea about his sex and identity? Ever since a child is born, the society sets stereotypes for him/ her. It is always seen that if it’s a boy then emphasis is placed on the colour blue and if a girl, then the colour pink. If this is the case then it is very essential for a child to know which sex he/she belongs to. This is because if this is not known then the child can face difficulties in almost every walk of life. The child would not know how to pursue different relationships and there would further be problems in other areas such as the manner of dressing etc

 READING-GENDERS

2)When we talk about different genders, many terms have been discussed. These include terms like gender roles, ‘gender specific’ and ‘gender biased’. What gives rise to such terms and why do the society uses them? Are they framed by the society itself?I think that when we talk about sex and gender it is extremely essential to distinguish between the two. It is not only biological differences between men and women that gives rise to differences between them, but rather culture and the norms, values and standards of the society also play an important role in creating differences between males and females. The society also plays a much greater role here. This is because, in my opinion the kind of society in which we live decide the roles that the individuals play and it assigns certain roles to people according to their genders. This is how certain terms come into existence and people begin to use them off and on. When an individual knows what role he/she has to play as a male or a female is when I think terms like gender specific and gender biased comes up.

READING-GENDERS

 3) How are gender roles reinforced through the family? Does the family play an important part in reinforcing gender roles?

I think that the concept of primary socialization comes up here which starts from the family. It is the family that plays the most important role in reinforcing gender roles through the process of socialization. For example it is the family that sets certain rules for boys and girls. This can be seen in the way in which girls are always made to play with dolls and boys with fire engines. Thus the family plays a very important role. It is only when primary socialization takes place properly is when secondary socialization takes place in an effective manner- which includes the peer and the society on a whole.

Gays and lesbians will have a never-ending struggle to blend in with the rest of society, simply because it is against the common heterosexual lifestyle. No one will ever be 100% comfortable with two people of the same sex being married, having children, and/or sharing equal benefits rights in the workplace and elsewhere. We fight everyday for this though, and we will continue until the end of this life, as we know it.

Gay marriage is slowly becoming widespread throughout the states, and countries around the world. The Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010 was just signed into effect on December 23rd.  Strides are being made, but at a very slow process. Patience is virtue? Well, let’s hope.

We cannot forget the six gay suicides that occurred this year, due to bullying and injustices. Steps are being made forward, yet the strong winds that gays and lesbians are walking into continue to push us backwards. Stumble, but never fall; the queer philosophy.

Go gays!