Rituals and traditions are often seen as ways to preserve cultural heritage and identity, but they can also have a powerful effect on sexual expression and queerness. In some cultures, queer identities and behaviors are actively discouraged or even punished through formalized practices such as marriage laws, gender roles, and religious teachings.
These very same customs can be subverted and used to empower marginalized communities. This essay will explore how rituals and traditions both preserve and suppress expressions of queerness by looking at examples from around the world.
Traditional Marriage Laws
Traditional marriage is one way that societies have tried to control and regulate sexual behavior for centuries. These laws vary widely across cultures, but typically require heterosexual couples to marry before engaging in physical intimacy or procreation. In many places, this means that people who identify as LGBTQ+ cannot legally marry their partner and must remain celibate. While it may seem like traditional marriage laws restrict freedom and choice, they also reinforce strict gender roles and expectations.
Men are expected to be masculine providers and women are expected to be submissive homemakers. These roles can be harmful to individuals who do not fit into them and limit their options for love and partnership.
Religious Teachings
Many religions promote traditional values and expectations, including monogamy, fidelity, and family-oriented lifestyles. Some faiths explicitly condemn any form of same-sex intimacy or relationship.
Islam considers homosexuality a sin and some Christian denominations believe it is a violation of God's law. These teachings can create a climate where queer identities are suppressed and shamed.
Some religious groups embrace diversity and acceptance, providing safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals to worship openly.
Gender Roles
Gender roles are another area where rituals and traditions can both preserve and suppress expressions of queerness. Many cultures divide labor by sex, with men doing manual work outside the home and women taking care of children and household tasks. This division can be oppressive to those who don't conform to these norms, but it can also provide comfort and stability in times of crisis. In some cases, people who challenge gender roles may face discrimination and violence from their communities.
Subversion and Resistance
Despite the restrictions placed on queer expression through tradition and ritual, there have been many examples of subversion and resistance.
Some Native American tribes recognize two-spirit individuals who take on male and female characteristics. In modern times, drag shows have become popular venues for self-expression and celebrating queerness. Activists around the world continue to push back against repression and fight for equal rights and representation.
How do rituals and traditions both preserve and suppress expressions of queerness?
Rituals and traditions are deeply rooted in cultural norms that prescribe ways of living and behaving. These norms tend to privilege heteronormativity, which is the assumption that everyone is either cisgender or straight. When it comes to gender expression and sexual orientation, there are certain expectations about how people should present themselves in different contexts, such as at work, in social gatherings, in religious ceremonies, etc.