Political lesbianism is a phenomenon within feminism, primarily Second wave feminism; it includes, but is not limited to, lesbian separatism. Feminism is a discourse that involves various movements theories, and Philosophies which are concerned with the issue of Gender difference, advocate Second-wave feminism refers to a period of Feminist activity which began during the 1960s and lasted through the late 1970s Separatist feminism is a form of Feminism that does not support Heterosexual relationships due to a belief that sexual disparities between Men Political lesbianism embraces the theory that sexual orientation is a choice, and advocates lesbianism as a positive alternative to heterosexuality for women. Sexual orientation is believed to refer to "an enduring pattern of emotional romantic and/or sexual attractions to men women or both sexes A lesbian is a Woman who is romantically or sexually attracted only to other women Heterosexuality refers to sexual behavior with or attraction to people of the opposite sex or to a heterosexual orientation [1]
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Shared interest
Beginning in the late 1960's, new wave feminism provided a platform for some women to come out of a perceived suffocating shell of heterosexual norms, traditional sexuality, marriage and family life. Heterosexuality refers to sexual behavior with or attraction to people of the opposite sex or to a heterosexual orientation Generally speaking human sexuality is how people experience and express themselves as sexual beings NOTICE TO WOULD-BE ROMEOS ************** A life viewed by some feminists as one of hard labor with little consideration and a system that subordinates women. By coming out of dominating heterosexual relationships, women are given an opportunity to declare themselves as lesbians with shared interests. As a result, feminism provided an environment in which lesbianism was less about personal pain or anguish but an important political issue.
In a broad sense, political lesbianism entails the political identification of women with women, it encompasses a role beyond sexuality but supports eschewing forming relationship with men. Politics Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions It is partly based on the idea that women sharing and promoting a common interest creates a positive and needed energy which is necessary to enhance and elevate the role of women in the society, a development which will be curtailed by the institutions of heterosexuality and sexism if women chose the traditional norms. Sexism is the belief or attitude that one Gender or Sex is inferior to or less valuable than the other and can also refer to a Hatred or distrust towards
Though, there were instances of discrimination of lesbianism within feminism. Unlike most discrimination policies discrimination between, which is the discernment of qualities and recognition of the differences focused here discrimination against is Feminism however, ended up providing a needed political platform for lesbianism. In its wake, it also expanded and introduced divergent views of sexuality. [2]
Social constructs of sexuality and criticism
Some feminist theory on sexuality evaded biological fixation and embraced social construction as the basis of sexuality. Definition In the absence of agreement about its meaning the term "social" is used in many different senses referring among other things to attitudes However, this idea posed further questions on the subject of sexuality and lesbianism. If sexuality could be a construction of human nature then little room is given to understanding the nature of the historical formation of human nature, especially, if the historical nature of man or woman enhanced heterosexuality. Human nature is the concept that there are a set of logical characteristics including ways of thinking feeling and acting that all 'normal' human beings have in common [3] A lack of theoretical clarity of lesbianism and sexuality becomes more profound as many scientists view sexuality as much more than choice. The word theory has many distinct meanings in different fields of Knowledge, depending on their methodologies and the context of discussion. A scientist, in the broadest sense refers to any person that engages in a systematic activity to acquire Knowledge or an individual that engages in such practices Choice consists of the mental process of Thinking involved with the process of judging the merits of multiple options and selecting Also, if lesbianism becomes a social institution, the avenue for a dominant persona in the relationships may also pose challenge to the original intention of political lesbianism. Social organization or social institution, refers to a group of Social positions connected by Social relations performing a Social role.
See also
Notes
- ^ Julie Bindel, Location, location, orientation, The Guardian, March 27, 2004
- ^ Ramazanoglu; Routledge, Feminism and the Contradictions of Oppression, Routledge, 1989. Ti-Grace Atkinson (born 9 November 1938, Baton Rouge Louisiana as Grace Atkinson) is an American Feminist Author The Guardian (until 1959 The Manchester Guardian) is a British Newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. pp84
- ^ Ramazanoglu; Routledge, Feminism and the Contradictions of Oppression, Routledge, 1989. pp84-86
Further reading
- Love Your Enemy?: The Debate Between Heterosexual Feminism and Political Lesbianism, London:Onlywomen Press, 1981, ISBN 0-906500-08-7. Sheila Jeffries, Leeds Revolutionary Feminist Group, et al. ; no editor is listed.
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