Sexuality and south asian women: A taboo?

Book chapter

Takhar, S (2016). Sexuality and south asian women: A taboo? in: Rehman, Yasmin, Kelly, Liz and Siddiqui, Hannana (ed.) Moving in the Shadows: Violence in the Lives of Minority Women and Children Farnham, Surrey Ashgate Publishing. pp. 77-88
AuthorsTakhar, S
EditorsRehman, Yasmin, Kelly, Liz and Siddiqui, Hannana
Abstract

Despite the difficulties associated with speaking about sexuality as outlined in the statement above (which probably resonates with many), there have been developments within the South Asian diaspora and India which have attempted to normalize sexuality and to move beyond
viewing the linked terms ‘Asian’ and ‘gay’ as problematic. The subjugation of sexual identities such as ‘gay’ and ‘lesbian’ has been met by resistance from a variety of organizations and individuals. Whilst this ‘road to freedom’ regarding the expression of sexuality has been bumpy and is an unfinished project, there is also a great deal to celebrate. This paper therefore traces what we mean by sexuality and the contradictory ways in which (hetero)sexuality is perceived and understood in South Asian communities. It then moves on to looking in more detail at lesbianism and the developments in recognition of alternative sexualities. It will be shown that living in the closet is preferable to ‘coming out’ for some women due to the violence of internalized oppression and reprisals within the community.

Keywordssexuality; South Asian women; taboo
Page range77-88
Year2016
Book titleMoving in the Shadows: Violence in the Lives of Minority Women and Children
PublisherAshgate Publishing
Place of publicationFarnham, Surrey
ISBN9781409433170
Publication dates
Print01 Jan 2013
Publication process dates
Accepted06 Jan 2012
Deposited08 Jul 2020
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315596198-9
Accepted author manuscript
License
File Access Level
Open
Permalink -

https://openresearch.lsbu.ac.uk/item/8q183

Download files

  • 538
    total views
  • 237
    total downloads
  • 5
    views this month
  • 1
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

The Gender Agenda: Transphobia and the Perceived Erasure of Women
Takhar, S. (2024). The Gender Agenda: Transphobia and the Perceived Erasure of Women. in: The Palgrave Handbook of Global Social Change Palgrave Macmillan.
The Student Voice: Decolonising the Curriculum
Takhar, S. (2023). The Student Voice: Decolonising the Curriculum. Equity in Education & Society. https://doi.org/10.1177/27526461231192671
Strategy, Planning and Accountability
Takhar, S., Ahmed-Landeryou, M., Aziz, R. and Thomas, P. (2022). Strategy, Planning and Accountability. in: Verma, Arun (ed.) Anti-racism in Higher Education: An action guide for change Bristol University Press.
Introduction: Nationalism’s Futures
May, V., Byrne, B., Holmes, H. and Takhar, S. (2020). Introduction: Nationalism’s Futures. Sociology. 54 (6), pp. 1055-1071. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038520969316
Social Movements, Collective Action and Activism
Millward, P. and Takhar, Shaminder (2019). Social Movements, Collective Action and Activism. Sociology. 53 (3), pp. NP1-NP12. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038518817287
Hidden desires: Hinduism and sexuality
Takhar, S (2014). Hidden desires: Hinduism and sexuality. in: Taylor, Y and Snowdon, R (ed.) Queering Religion, Religious Queers Abingdon Routledge. pp. 229-248
"Revealing Too Much?": Reflecting on emotions in research with south Asian women
Takhar, S (2015). "Revealing Too Much?": Reflecting on emotions in research with south Asian women. in: Bhopal, K and Deuchar, R (ed.) Researching Marginalised Groups London Routledge (Taylor & Francis Group).
Gender and Race Matter: Global Perspectives on Being a Woman
Takhar, S (2016). Gender and Race Matter: Global Perspectives on Being a Woman. Bingley Emerald.
Introduction
Takhar, S (2016). Introduction. in: Takhar, S (ed.) Gender and Race Matter: Global Perspectives on Being a Woman Emerald.
Bangladeshi female students in higher education: 'Agentic autonomy' at the race/gender trajectory
Takhar, S (2016). Bangladeshi female students in higher education: 'Agentic autonomy' at the race/gender trajectory. in: Takhar, S (ed.) Gender and Race Matter: Global Perspectives on Being a Woman Emerald.
Gender, Ethnicity and Political Agency: South Asian Women Organizing
Takhar, S. (2013). Gender, Ethnicity and Political Agency: South Asian Women Organizing. New York Routledge (Taylor & Francis Group).
Expanding the Boundaries of Political Activism
Takhar, S (2007). Expanding the Boundaries of Political Activism. Contemporary Politics. 13 (2), pp. 123-137. https://doi.org/10.1080/13569770701562591