The Inconsistency
with Labeling!
The reasoning of MSM, WSW and the imprisonment of labeling and sexuality barcoding
Pitcure above; UPC Barcode Art, known as the UPC - The universal Product Code.
By Mo. K.
Sexuality is very complex and differs from sexual identity. Individuals who engage in sexual activity with the same gender and don’t self identify as gay or lesbian, should not be subject to labeling as gay or lesbian. The gay or lesbian identity, which falls under the LGBT (Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual) umbrella, represents a culture, a society, and a political movement, while sexual activity with members of the same sex merely represents sexual attraction to the same sex and acting upon it.
There are many cultural and personal reasons that could explain why individuals who engage in same sex acts do not label themselves as gay and lesbian. In Jordan, and the Middle East, some men and women refuse to self identify as a gay or lesbian due to the intolerant cultural and legislative attitude towards homosexuality. This however, is not the only reason why MSM (Men who have sex with men) and WSW (women who have sex with women) don’t self-identify as gay or lesbian respectively. There are more complex reasons that, in order to be understood, need innovative and newly developed scientific and cultural research. MSM and WSW became also labels for men and women who engage in sexual activity and do not self identify as gay or lesbian.
To understand the difference between sexual activity and sexual identity, one needs to learn more about what the LGBT identity entails or what does the gay and lesbian identity mean. The gay and lesbian identity represents a lifestyle, a life commitment that becomes part of the LGBT community and hence the acceptance of being gay or lesbian could mean so many things. Labels, such as gay and lesbian, are publicly agreed upon to create organization and to make things more understandable. Labels are also used to create one community – in this case, the LGBT community – to start a political and an activist agenda to fight for their rights. Take for an example, the LGBT movement in the United States that started to grow in 1950s and 1960s. It was around that time that many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals started to come out and to gather in the fight for their right. Due to such gathering, a community was created that entailed a lifestyle and an identity that is not related to sexual activity. In book 'Gay Identity Self Under Ban' by author William DuBay, he shows and asserts the formation of the gay culture by saying, “The conversation and behavior of gay-identified individual reveals that what distinguishes them from others is not their sexual identity but their identity, their consciousness of being a people set apart.” Hence, it is not sexual activity or same sex attraction that distinguishes members of the LGBT community from heterosexuals, but it is their identity as a different community that sets them apart.
" 'I believe that identification does not necessarily mean, “socially targeting.” I feel like we must identify the differences that do exist...' "
Given that such movements and unification is limited to Western culture, it is quite noticeable that such movements are arising in our home, the Middle East. This of course shows that many men and women are joining and unifying under the LGBT umbrella regardless of the social constraints that being member of that community entails.
After asking a friend and a member of the LGBT community whether he thinks labeling is essential and why? His answer was “Yes, I believe that identification does not necessarily mean, “socially targeting.” I feel like we must identify the differences that do exist just like animal vs. man, mammal vs. reptile, sex vs. plant pollination. They may all look and on the surface be the same but their essential functions operate different. So a straight couple is different than a gay couple. If we label it the same, we identity them as the same. Optimistically, we’d want it to be seen as the same, socially wise. Realistically and theoretically wise, they are different.”
While his point of view is not representative of the LGBT community’s view, it does somehow provide more recognition to the idea labels are used to make sense of differences between people and to provide organization. Therefore, the rise of the LGBT community and the gay and lesbian identity places a role within that.
After asking a friend and a member of the LGBT community whether he thinks labeling is essential and why? His answer was “Yes, I believe that identification does not necessarily mean, “socially targeting.” I feel like we must identify the differences that do exist just like animal vs. man, mammal vs. reptile, sex vs. plant pollination. They may all look and on the surface be the same but their essential functions operate different. So a straight couple is different than a gay couple. If we label it the same, we identity them as the same. Optimistically, we’d want it to be seen as the same, socially wise. Realistically and theoretically wise, they are different.”
While his point of view is not representative of the LGBT community’s view, it does somehow provide more recognition to the idea labels are used to make sense of differences between people and to provide organization. Therefore, the rise of the LGBT community and the gay and lesbian identity places a role within that.