Queer Activism and Identity of Sexual Minorities: A Situation Analysis of India and Sri Lanka

Abstract

The subject of gender and sexuality is intricate and complex to the extent that it unlocks a wide-ranging troubles whenever it is tried to be tamed under any universalized social order. Sexuality and sexual rights has suffered an extensive period of silence within the society. Open discussions and debates about sexuality is something which till now is not common, unveiled and appreciated. Therefore, this research aims to reveal the comparative situation analysis between Indian and Sri Lanka with regard to queer activism and identity of sexual minorities. The conceptual framework of this research is designed to evaluate the subject matter through a quantitative research methodology mainly based upon secondary sources. The outline of the paper will be focus on the analysis the following key factors of defining sexual minorities, discourses of sexuality, sexual identity and cultural essentialism, sexual identity and cultural hybridism, locating queer movement in identity politics and finally to emphasize the importance of rights of sexual minorities through a comparative situation analysis between India and Sri Lanka. By making a comparative analysis of Indian Queer activism and Queer Activism in Sri Lanka, as a reference point, this paper will seek to overview identity politics engaged with the question of sexuality. It shall apply theoretical understanding in a local setting, and thus explore sexuality as an identity issue, begins with historicizing sexuality in the Indian and Sri Lankan context by historicizing sexuality in the both the contexts, to explore the multiple and complex ways in which patriarchal and hetero normative institutions of the state have shaped and constrained discourses on sexuality and maintained a hetro patriarchy in the both the societies. Ultimately, the research outcomes would assist the alternative ways in which sexuality was present in India and Sri Lanka but was veiled up by the forces of hegemonic sexuality dictated by the state.