Same-Sex Relationships in Asia - Essay Example

Topic: Same-sex relationships in Asia Student’s name Course name Lecturer’s name 17th September 2011 Introduction Same-sex relationships refer to relationships that exist between people of the same gender. Such relationships may can be categorised into sexual and romantic relationships or close but non-romantic relationships (Berkowitz & Marsiglio, 2007). The term same-sex relationship is widely applied in reference to the lesbian and the gay people. Same-sex relationships are not related strictly to the participants’ sexual orientation. Same-sex relationships have characterised the lives of many historical figures such as Alexander the Great, Socrates, Edward II, Julius Ceaser (to mention a few) (Berkowitz & Marsiglio, 2007). Terms such as bisexual and gay were widely applied to these historical figures with some of them regarding same-sex relationships as just one of the ways of demonstrating sexuality among human beings. Throughout history same-sex relationships have taken many forms. Among the categories or forms of same-sex relationships that have prevailed throughout history include egalitarian which refers to the relationships between two partners of similar sex and age that play similar roles (Büntzly, 1993). This type of same-sex relationships is prevalent mostly in the western countries. Gender structured relationships is also another type of same-sex relationships that have prevailed throughout history (Büntzly, 1993). This refers to a relationship between members of the same sex where each partner plays a different role in the relationship. This form of same-sex relationships is more prevalent in the South and Central Asia as well as the Middle East and the Mediterranean Basin. Age-structured relationships are another type of same-sex relationships that have prevailed through history (Büntzly, 1993). In this relationship partners are of different age groups such as an adult and an adolescent. It is imperative to note that a society can be dominated by one form of same-sex relationships even though other types of same-sex relationships may also prevail or exists in the same society. The purpose of this paper is to trace the history of same sex relationships in Asia from the past to the contemporary manifestations. The “sexuation” gender theory postulated by Lacan organized masculinity and femininity in accordance with structures that are unconscious. According to the theorists the feminine side of the organization must be supplementary and no complimentary or opposite. The theorist held that gender roles are biological or innate which means that every gender has its role to play in a relationship (Lahey &Kevin, 2000). The theorists advocated for the opposite gender relationship in order to balance the innate or biological determination of roles in a relationship. However, same-sex-relationships have broken the organization stipulated by the theorists in his work where people of the same gender assume enter into relationships and one partner is assume the role of the opposite gender. Although same-sex relationships and unions are now being recognized and accepted in different states of the world it is imperative to note that same-sex relationships have a long history. As explained above, different forms of same-sex relationships have existed in the history of the world. These types of same-sex relationships range from unsanctioned, informal and temporary to unions that are highly ritualized and which include the joining of the two partners in marriage. Historically, same-sex relationships prevailed in Ancient Rome and Greece and also in certain parts of China. Same-sex relationships in these regions were perceived as social institutions and therefore they were highly recognized. The Theodosian Code which was issued by emperors Constans and Constantius II in 342 AD attest to the fact that same-sex relationships are historical relationships (Hinsch, 1990). In this code the two emperors ordered those people in same sex-relationships and marriages to be executed and the order also prohibited any forms of same-sex relationships. Among the native societies in the United States, different tribes had some arrangements where from an early age some people of similar gender were prized as wives. This was especially the case with men from the native tribes in America. When prized as wives these men were to take and perform all the responsibilities performed by the married women. In the wake of the 19th century the Boston marriage came to the limelight marking the recognition of a relationship of two people from the same gender (Lahey &Kevin, 2000). In 1969, the first marriage between two men was performed by Rev. Perry in the United States. However, the marriage was not recognized legally because same-sex relationships were not common in the public eyes. In 1990, the term same-sex relationship was reorganized into “commitment ceremony” in the same year a commitment ceremony was performed by Reverend Creech of the Methodist Church (Lahey &Kevin, 2000). Same-sex relationships have in the recent past received major support from the authorities and the public with same-sex relationships being granted some rights of existence in the contemporary American society. In Europe same-sex relationships have been legally recognized in different countries such as Belgium, Spain, Norway, Netherlands, Iceland and Portugal. This means that same-sex relationships have transcended the anus of history to become socially recognized relationships in the history of the world. Just like in the western societies, same-sex relationships have a long history. It is important to note that the history of same-sex relationships in Asia can be traced to individual countries. As stated there above China is the most famous country with a history of same-sex relationships in Asia. Specifically the Fujian province of China is historically known for same-sex relationships. In East Asia in countries such as China, history records numerous same-sex unions. Such relationships were commonly referred to as the cut sleeve, pleasures of the bitten peach or the southern custom in China (Hinsch, 1990). The history of these same-sex unions can be traded back to 600BC. The terms mentioned above were used to refer to homosexual relationships and particularly the behaviours displayed by the partners in homosexual relationships. Chinese literature is also characterised by artwork depicting historical same-sex relationships. Japan is also a country in the Eastern part of Asia with a long history of same-sex relationships which can be traced back to over 1000 years ago. The terms nanshoku or shudo were commonly used to refer to homosexual relationships. Homosexuality was a central part of the samurai tradition and the monastic life of the Buddhists in Japan. In the contemporary Japanese culture or society homosexuality which comprises one form of same-sex relationships has never been prohibited (Thomas, 2003). Similarly, the terms such as “ladboys” or ‘kathoey’ were commonly used in Thailand to refer to same-sex relationships. Same-sex relationships were perpetuated by Thai kings for many centuries and they were widely accepted by the Thai society. Thai kings were known to have both female and male lovers and these types of sex-relationships were considered part and parcel of Thai culture (Thomas, 2003). In the modern society in Thailand same-sex relationships are widely recognized and accepted as types of third gender. It is vital to note that there have never been legal prohibitions towards homosexual behaviours in Thailand in the history of the country which means that same-sex relationships such as homosexuality is widely accepted in Thai culture. The contemporary manifestations of same-sex relationships can be identified in many parts of Asia. In 2006, a survey carried out by the Association of national Union of Taiwan’s Women revealed that more than 80% of women in Taiwan approve of same-sex relationships such as homosexuality (Thomas, 2003). Only 20% of the surveyed sample rejected same-sex relationships as acceptable norms in the Taiwan society. In China, attempts have been made to legalize or grant rights to same-sex relationships and unions. For example in 2003, the Republic of China executive branch proposed legislation meant to grant rights to same-sex couples and marriages. In different cosmopolitan cities in Asia such as Tokyo, Shanghai, New Delhi and other cities around Asia, recent trends show that increased cases of same-sex relationships have continued to rise (Watanabe & Iwata, 1987). In Japan, for example, the contemporary manifestations of same-sex relationships re widespread through the protections that have been granted by law to all lesbians and gay people. The law holds that gender is a right of an individual and a person of any gender can perform the roles and responsibilities of any gender without any limitations to the roles that can be performed by people in the same-sex relationships. In this regard, prohibitions on same-sex relationships have been lifted in many Asian countries (Watanabe & Iwata, 1987). However, in countries dominated by Islamic religion such as Indonesia same-sex relationships are practised with caution for fear of Muslim extremist who have been opposed to same-sex relationships in the history of these types of sexual orientation. In conclusion, same-sex relationships have a long history. Just like in the western countries same-sex relationships have been characterise by a long history, same-sex relationships have also a long history in Asian countries. Specifically, some regions of countries such as China, Japan and Thailand have never been opposed to same-sex relationships. As a matter of fact-same-sex relationships were and they continue to be practised even in the modern society in these countries. In the Asian countries dominated by the Islamic religion, same-sex relationships are practised secretly for fear of being discriminated and punished by Muslim extremists. However, the current manifestation of same-sex relationships in Asia shows that many countries are in the process of legislating rights for protection of people in same-sex relationships which means that same-sex relationships are increasingly being accepted in different cultures in Asia. References Berkowitz, D & Marsiglio, W (2007). Gay Men: Negotiating Procreative, Father, and Family Identities. Journal of Marriage and Family 69 (May 2007): 366–38 Büntzly, G. (1993). "Gay fathers in straight marriages". J Homosex 24 (3-4): 107–14 Hinsch, B. (1990). Passions of the Cut Sleeve: The Male Homosexual Tradition in China. Reed Business Information, Inc. Lahey, K. &., Kevin, A. (2000). Same-sex marriage: the personal and the political. Insomniac Press. Thomas, K. (2003). How to Do the History of Homosexuality. in Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2003.09.22 Watanabe, T. & Iwata, J. (1987). The Love of the Samurai: A Thousand Years of Japanese Homosexuality, London: GMP Publishers. Read More