166-011 The Politics of Sexual Reform Movements

Usually 25 points of first year politics, see Prerequisites, or first year gender studies.

This subject will look at the way lesbianism and male homosexuality have been constructed through sexology and legislation and how changing social and political contexts have shaped different forms of political organising by lesbians and gay men, from gay liberation and lesbian feminism to queer politics. Students should become familiar with controversies within lesbian and gay theory and politics, such as the idea of a gay gene, theorising heterosexuality, racist sexual stereotyping, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, drag and role-playing, erotica and the politics of sexual practice.