Gender and Sexuality Studies

Abstract

This article offers a glimpse into the cultural production of sexuality and the representation of bisexuality through media. The initial section provides an overview of the discourse surrounding sexuality in LGBTQ films within media platforms, emphasizing controversial aspects. The author delineates the distinctions between heteronormativity, homonormativity, and the negative stereotyping of bisexuality. The movie chosen as a case study for this article is ‘Cobalt Blue’ A distinction is made between two selected films “Ka Bodyscapes, (2018)" exploring homosexuality, and "Cobalt Blue, (2018)" which explores homosexuality and bisexuality. The films were chosen because they were released during the same period, 2018, post the de-criminalization of section 377 and sparked controversies within the public domain. These films serve as exemplars depicting the contrast between socially accepted homosexuality, unacceptable homosexuality, and bisexuality, highlighting moralistic discourses surrounding the binary construction of sexuality. The research aims to present an insightful examination of the moralistic discourse on sexuality in India, particularly within popular culture, shedding light on the negative portrayal of bisexuality. This portrayal is depicted as conflicting with moralistic standards, constructing a facade and discouraging sexual diversity by adhering to a binary conception of acceptable sexuality. The author concludes by reflecting on the discursive processes involved in shaping socially acceptable forms of sexuality.

Biography

Marian Dias, is a Research Scholar at CHRIST (Deemed to be University) in Sociology. She was awarded the prestigious UGC NET Assistant Professor awards in 2017 and 2019. With a passion for teaching, she has taught across various educational institutions. She champions critical thinking and problem-solving skills which she actively applies in her research as well as while teaching students. Her research area includes- Gender, sexuality, post-structuralism, and Ethnography. Beyond academia, she explores India's diverse cultures through travel, fostering her love for learning. Marian also indulges in historical documentaries, finding solace in their transportive narratives, which offer glimpses into particular social dynamics.