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Moral ambivalence and irregular practices: contextualizing male-to-male sexualities in Calcutta/India

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 12:05 authored by Paul BoycePaul Boyce
Male-to-male sexuality in India has been described as both heavily stigmatized and implicitly tolerated. This paper examines these apparently contradictory attitudes, arguing that they reflect broader moral ambivalence about homosexuality in Indian culture and society. While the effects of homophobia in India are very real, simultaneous social latitude allows for relatively un-scrutinized same-sex sexual contact. The paper explores this scenario as a post-colonial legacy and considers the consequences for contemporary sexual subjectivity, particularly in respect of irregular responses to emerging gay identities and socially ambiguous male-to-male sexualities. Conceiving of men who have sex with men as subject to both prejudice and tolerance raises complex questions for HIV/AIDS related policy, programming and activism. The paper argues that understanding male-to-male sexualities in India as practiced within a climate of ambiguous moral censure offers critical insights for the future promotion of health.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Feminist Review

ISSN

0141-7789

Publisher

Palgrave Macmillan

Issue

1

Volume

83

Page range

79-98

Department affiliated with

  • Anthropology Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-07-06

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2012-07-06

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