Tradition Versus Progression: Tradition Perpetuates Homosexuality and Progression Provides a Space to Accept Homosexuality
As we have observed and been exposed to many differences between gender, we have not been intentionally exposed to topics relating sexual orientation. As we traveled to the organic farm in the Sahara, Lauren used this time to inquire about the topic with Hamid. Lauren, Sophia and I had the chance to learn about tradition, progression and acceptance of homosexuality in the Islamic culture according to Hamid. While homosexuality is still illegal in Morocco and can be punished through imprisonment and fines, the tourism minister is calling for decriminalization of homosexuality (Lahrichi, 2016). Sexuality, in the conservative country of Morocco, is not a public conversation and is considered a private matter amongst the two (or more) individuals who choose to engage with one another. Morocco is the more progressive of the Arab countries in terms of accepting or working towards accepting with the first step is acknowledgement of existence. This is where we are today, the acknowledgment that tradition is very present but progression or understanding that things might change is also alive. We have soaked in the concept that men and women spend a lot life their time separate from each other, where the home is the woman’s domain and the outside is the man’s domain. It is within these space that intimacy begins to form, not necessarily in a sexual manner but in the way of sharing, caring, loving, partying, communicating, etc. As Hamid, noted to us many woman are in unsatisfactory marriages where the man expects her to do all of the emotional labor and care for the family as he goes out to provide income. He said 99% of the men in Morocco are fully dependent on woman “not knowing how to cut their own bread” and being bred to be spoiled and believe in their male dominance. Woman are doing doing laundry, cooking, cleaning, child rearing, planning, budgeting, shopping and the list can go on for miles. Just imagine if you were in an arranged marriage and the man you married believed these things as well, how unsatisfactory would your life be? As we have learned that the men are “kicked out of their home” they also develop very intimate relationships with their male friends. As we have seen that gender and sexuality might be a taboo public conversation, the human desire to connect with other humans in intimate manners whether it be in a sexual and/or emotional exist regardless of the legalities and policies in place.
The discrimination amongst homosexuals is not only a part of the Moroccan and other Arab countries but we see it in the United States as well. Being out of the mainstream in southern states can bring ridicule and more. Things such as gender fluidity and sexual preferences opens a door for in-group versus out-group dynamics, shame to family, inability to be in an authentic space within the self are just some examples.
In our reading by Jeffery Yip titled Leading Through Paradox, Yip talks about the paradox of leading when a leader is embedded in their own beliefs yet need to hold the space for an opposing view (2010). As this relates to gender and sexual orientation, not all individuals believe in or find right and wrong in anything out of what is considered the “normal” or “traditional” way of living. It is important as a leader to establish as safe space, regardless of one’s own personal beliefs, to let individuals be their authentic selves. By allowing a team member to lead and live from an authentic space develops a strong team which can increase in productivity, creativity, efficiency and inclusivity.
Since I cannot find any photos to illustrate this…I will place
some pretty plant pictures here. Botany is one of the more sexual topics of
science due to the nature of plant reproduction. Plant reproduce in many diverse ways such as
tissue culture, a variety of pollination services, transplants, grafting and
beyond.
Resources:
Lahrichi, K. (2016).
In Morocco A Struggle Over Sexuality. US News. Retrieved from
Resources:
Lahrichi, K. (2016).
In Morocco A Struggle Over Sexuality. US News. Retrieved from
I love that you're writing about this! This conversation reminded me of how these intimate relationships such as the relationship between a lady and her maid in noble families, etc. sometimes morph into something more. This has happened throughout history and continues to occur today, however it does seem that this separation of gender roles promotes these homoerotic feelings. I remember Hamid talking about the harim and how this perpetuates intimate relationships among women. According to my research on hammams or turkish baths, the same could be said for these spaces.
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