Sexuality is an intrinsic aspect of human beings, which includes the way individuals perceive themselves sexually and express their sexual feelings towards others. Sexuality has been used to define one's identity and role in society since time immemorial. Different cultures have various ways of defining and regulating sexual practices, including those among the LGBTQ community. This paper looks at how lesbian practices can provide models for relational ethics that resist heteronormative, patriarchal, and social pressures.
Lesbians are women who experience romantic or sexual attraction towards other women. They are commonly stereotyped as masculine and aggressive because they do not conform to societal expectations of femininity.
This notion is false since most lesbians are not necessarily butch or tomboys. Lesbianism remains a controversial subject in many societies across the globe due to its lack of conformity to male-dominated structures. The stereotype that men are superior and more valuable than women perpetuates violence against women who identify as lesbians.
There are norms that require a man to play certain roles such as breadwinner, protector, and decision-maker, while women perform supportive roles like housekeeping, motherhood, and childcare. Lesbian relationships challenge these gender roles since they involve two females.
As previously mentioned, heterosexual relationships are based on power dynamics whereby men dominate women by assuming leadership positions.
If a woman is married to a man, she is expected to obey him unquestioningly. Also, she should submit to his will and desires even when they conflict with her own needs. In contrast, lesbian relationships involve mutual respect and collaboration between partners. There are no prescribed hierarchies in a relationship between two female individuals. Both partners contribute equally to maintaining a healthy relationship, regardless of their sexual orientation. Therefore, lesbian practices can provide models for relational ethics that resist patriarchy.
Heteronormativity refers to the belief that heterosexuality is the only acceptable form of sexual practice. It promotes social attitudes, values, and behaviors that privilege heterosexual people at the expense of others.
If a gay couple walks down the street holding hands, they may be insulted or harassed because it challenges societal norms.
Heterosexuals hold hands without being questioned about their sexual orientation. Heteronormativity forces individuals to conform to sexist expectations, leading to inequality in the workplace, family, and society. Accordingly, lesbianism provides an alternative model for relational ethics. Instead of adhering to traditional forms of love, it encourages non-normative expressions of intimacy.
Social pressures refer to the external influences that affect individual behavior. They include peer pressure, religious beliefs, cultural practices, and media representations. Social pressures dictate how people should act and think, which reinforces oppressive structures such as sexism. Lesbian practices challenge these pressures by providing alternatives to conventional ways of loving and caring. The LGBTQ community has been fighting for equal rights for decades, including the right to marry.
They have achieved some success with same-sex marriage legalization in most states. Lesbians are now able to openly express their love through civil unions, which defy the notion that homosexual relationships are immoral or unnatural.