A Humane View of Sexual Rights

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
-- Margaret Mead

I am currently undergoing a course in Open Space titled "Gender, Sexualities and Human Rights". An eye-opener of sorts to the kind of brazen acts of violation of human rights going on in the area of sexuality and gender. The moot point, is the fact that how nicely society has bracketed sexuality under either normal or abnormal. Sexuality is not something people are born with, it is constucted. The way our society is increasingly becomig rigid, intolerant and bigoted on issues of sexuality seems frightening. The prevailing norms on gender, sexuality and sex are never questioned. I believe Huxley's Brave New World would not be mere fiction if that is how we tolerate diversity in sexual orientation and sexual choices.
The course would end with the group charting a sexual rights manifesto. We would be inviting people to read and sign it voluntarily. I would be putting it in my blog and inviting people to send their signatures by e-mail. Its going to be a small step, but a step nevertheless in making us aware of our right to expression of sexual feeling, sex and sexual orientation.