Intriguing Snippets of Multiple Shades Of Grey

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”- United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Right- Article 1. Too many of us are still uncomfortable speaking about sex and sexual orientation. Sexuality concerns our sexual feelings, thoughts, attractions and these are utilized in our behaviour towards other people. When we speak of gender identity and or sexual orientation we tend to view these constructs through black and white lenses. However, there is a growing section of the population, undeniably a vocal movement whose perception of gender and sexual orientation is seen through shades of grey. Many individuals have now taken on a state of fluidity regarding their gender identity. On either side of the sexual orientation continuum there is heterosexuality and homosexuality; in between is an ever expanding sub set of orientations. Of course there are some individuals who are clueless regarding this new paradigm shift. The old adage that knowledge is power still holds true. Words have numerous meanings; for example you might describe yourself as flexible, however, flexible might be viewed by another person as an invitation pertaining to sexual fluidity. As a result we must never take for granted that the intended meaning of a word is the only meaning. Sexual Orientation Sexual orientation is a term used to refer to a person's pattern of emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction to people of a particular gender (male or female). Sexuality is an important part of who we are as humans. Outside the ability to reproduce, sexuality also defines how we see ourselves and how we physically relate to others. Sexual orientation is usually divided into these categories: • Heterosexual: Attracted to people of the opposite sex • Bisexual: Attracted to people of either sex • Homosexual: Attracted to people of one's own sex • Pansexual: Attracted to people of any gender identity • Asexual: Not sexually attracted to other people Understanding Sexual Fluidity If you are primarily attracted to people of the opposite sex, you may label yourself as straight or heterosexual. If you are mainly attracted to people of the same sex, you may label yourself as gay, lesbian, or homosexual. However, psychologists now distinguish that there are many aspects and categories of sexual identities in addition to gay and straight. All these categories are based on the possibility that a person can desire other people of different gender identities. The concept of sexual fluidity means that sexuality can change over time and in different situations. Sexual fluidity is widespread, and you may experience changes in your sexuality over both the short and long term. Are you still with me? Yes! Sexual Fluidity and Adolescence Sexual fluidity appears to be particularly common among adolescents. Adolescence is usually characterized by a period of time of sexual exploration and heightened sexual attraction. The rapid evolution of numerous social media platforms and the influence of pop culture have also helped to influence adolescents in this digital age. According to WebMD, sexual fluidity is separate from gender fluidity. According to at least one study, sexual fluidity is more common among gender-minority people. More than half of the self-identified transgender and gender-nonconforming participants reported some degree of sexual fluidity across their lifetimes. Many experts are of the belief that sexual orientation is not a choice and therefore cannot be changed. Interestingly, we live in a time when one can change their biological sex. This is oftentimes problematic especially in competitive sports where a school of thought is that one’s assigned sex at birth even after a surgical sex change gives that individual an advantage. Our sex is biologically determined at birth. The baby is born with a penis that makes him a male; on the other hand if you are born with a vagina you are female. However, gender is a social construct. So although one can be biologically male, that individual can disassociate himself from the trappings of manhood and masculinity and vice versa. In homophobic societies with a strong religious tradition many people who are homosexuals or bisexual will hide their sexual orientation in order to avoid prejudice from others or shame. Many go on to marry and even father children in order to avoid being labeled gay or homosexual. The forced sexuality is often the genesis for mental health deterioration for many who are caught between a rock and a hard place as they deny their true orientation in order to fit in society. It is a fascinating world which sees the intersection of multiple sexual orientations. Asexuality Asexual people, also known as aces, do not feel sexual attraction the way others do. An asexual person experiences little to no sexual attraction. “Sexual attraction” is finding someone sexually appealing and/or wanting to have sex with them. There are sex-repulsed aces, sex-indifferent aces, and sex-positive aces who may be open to different types of sex. Some aces seek romantic relationship; while some do not. The opposite of asexual is sexual, also referred to as allosexual. A common misconception is that asexuality is a medical condition. Being asexual is not the same as having a low libido, managing sex-related trauma, or experiencing pain during sex. Graysexuality is somewhat close to asexuality. Graysexuality Graysexuals only experience sexual attraction some of the time, and sometimes not at all. Their level of sexual attraction could fall anywhere from “not normally, but sometimes,” to “enjoys sex only under very specific circumstances”. However, some common graysexual characteristics include: • Not prioritizing sexual attraction when choosing a romantic partner • Not viewing sex as important • Feeling sexual attraction occasionally, but not often • Showing love and affection for their partner in non-sexual ways, like cuddling or talking Demisexuality WebMD defines demisexual people as those who only feel sexually attracted to someone when they have an emotional bond with the person. They can be gay, straight, bisexual, or pansexual, and may have any gender identity. The prefix “demi” means half which can refer to being halfway between sexual and asexual. Demisexuality can be a type of graysexuality. A graysexual person may experience sexual attraction only rarely, or they may feel sexual attraction but aren’t that interested in sex. Demisexual people do not feel primary attraction; the attraction you feel for someone when you first meet him/her. They only feel secondary attraction the type of attraction that happens after knowing someone for a while. Non-Binary Non-binary people feel their gender identity cannot be defined within the margins of gender binary. Instead, they understand their gender in a way that goes beyond simply identifying as either a man or woman. They may feel their gender is fluid can change and fluctuate or perhaps they permanently do not identify with one particular gender. Language is also very powerful in affirming one’s identity. The range of language and labels used within the community of non-binary means that non-binary has become an inclusive umbrella term. Intersex MedicalNewsToday states intersex is a term that a person may use when they have both male and female sex characteristics. These characteristics include genitalia, hormones, chromosomes, and reproductive organs. Being intersex is not a disease. It is a naturally occurring variation in humans. Likewise, being intersex does not affect an infant’s physical health, though it may cause complications as time goes on, including potential issues with fertility. Post Slavery Societies Undoubtedly, slavery had a dehumanizing effect on the slaves. This legacy has over the years reverberated and has impacted the level of development for post slavery societies. Benedetta Rossi states the term post-slavery refers to historical and social circumstances identifiable in contexts where slavery was a fundamental social institution and its legal abolition was followed by resilient legacies of past hierarchy and abuse. While Baz Lecocq, Professor of African History defines post- slavery as, “the creation of a present in reference to an active past which, by creating a particular discursive and narrative memory of that past, influences the present.” After the abolition of the TransAtlantic system of slavery in 1838 a number of opportunities presented themselves for the ex-slaves. Emancipation ushered in new experiences for former slaves who found new ways to make a living. Many of them became teachers, peasants and formed villages and communities of their own. They began to grow their own crops and sold them at the nearest markets. Dr. Jennifer Hallam states, “the sexual exploitation of the black woman's sexuality was one of the most significant factors differentiating the experience of slavery for males and females. The white man's claim to the slave body, male as well as female, was inherent in the concept of the slave trade and was tangibly realized perhaps nowhere more than on the auction block, where captive Africans were stripped of their clothing, oiled down, poked and prodded by potential buyers.” Why strip the Africans, this appears not just a desire to check for muscle content but also has sexual undertones which invariably led to the proliferation of gender identities and sexual orientations. It can be argued that the sexual undercurrents of the auction block scenes were particularly pronounced in the situation for black women. The sexual appetite of the white man was not satisfied by his kind. It is well documented that many slaves bore children for their slave masters. Over the centuries many variations regarding gender identities and sexual orientations would have been nourished and unquestionably passed on through the process of socialization. Gender Awareness The discussions regarding gender identity and sexual orientation have taken on a global approach. The 2020 Annual Population Survey (APS) an estimated 3.1% of the UK population aged 16 years and over identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) in 2019, an increase from 2.2% in 2018. According to a Gallup survey in 2020, 5.6% of U.S. adults identified as LBGTQ, up from 4.5% in 2017. In the United States of America, passports will now offer an ‘X’ in addition to ‘M’ and ‘F’. Gender ‘X’ will be used for non-binary and intersex individuals. Many Republican-state legislatures have restricted the discussion regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. It can be overwhelming to keep up with the ever expanding categories of sexual orientations. Although much strides have been made in gender equality over the years an untold number of individuals across all cultures continue to be bullied because of their perceived or real sexual orientation. In many instances educators are clueless in terms of dealing with such students. Oftentimes such individuals are categorized as being confused and as such little or no support is given. Jamaica’s education system is not adequately equipped to address the needs of these students. In some societies those who are deemed different are allowed the freedom to live as they chose to. Contrastingly, in more conservative cultures harassment, discrimination and stigma characterized the lives of those who are categorized as ‘others’. The field of gender studies is as wide as much as varied, and indeed exciting. The interrogation of genders is an ongoing process which undoubtedly will result in more ground breaking findings. Interestingly, once voiceless and marginalized sexually identities now have a voice. Advocacy is now robust so too is the ongoing research in these emerging gendered spaces. If we are not careful we can be caught up in a web of sexual identities due to a lack of knowledge. Regardless of one’s sexual orientation and or identity everyone is deserving of all dignity in order to live a meaningful life. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo #sexualorientation #gender #sexualidentity #education #mentalhealth ©