Intercultural Communication

Essay Project

Group: Alia Alam, Maryam

Bartawi & Ali Al Shamsi.
 Essay task

• D. In context of LGBT communities’

acceptance to a large extent in the
mainstream western societies; what in
your opinion inhibits the same with
regards to eastern cultures? Support your
points with the course text.
 Introduction
• People’s worldview are influenced by a
number of factors, three of the most
important are religion, culture, and tradition.
• These factors greatly shape our viewpoints
and how we perceive the world.
• A major influence of identity formation and
maintenance is culture. (Castells, 1997)
 Introduction
• Gender represents another influential factor in
the formation of identity (pg 66, Intercultural
communication).
• Born a baby – male and female identity
• But what happens when gender identity comes
in conflict with biological identity or body’s
external manifestations?
 Defining LGBT
• LGBT is an acronym for lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender identities.
• LGBT culture, or queer culture, is the
common culture shared by lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender people.
• Homosexuality is a term used for sexual
interest or attraction towards members of the
same sex.
 History of LGBT
• Ancient scriptures mention homosexuality.
- Christianity
* In Leviticus 18:22, “You shall not lie with a male as one
lies with a female; it is an abomination".
- Islam
* In Qur’aan 7:80-81, “We also sent Lut: He said to his
people: “Do ye commit lewdness such as no people in
creation (ever) committed before you? For ye practice
your lusts on men in preference to women: ye are
indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds.”
 How LGBT became acceptable in
?Western society
• The earlier western societies, built upon
traditions that were derived from religion
considered homosexuality a disease.
• Was listed as a disorder(1952)
• StoneWall riots.
• Clinton administration policy – ‘don’t ask, don’t
tell’ (1993)
• Chamber of commerce for LGBT (NGLCC)
 Homosexuality in western
media
• “Bruno” – negative perception of gay identity
• “Brokeback Mountain”
 Nate Berkus (openly gay
interior designer –
audience sympathized with
Ellen DeGeneres - him when he spoke of his
renowned lesbian tragedy of losing his
partner on the Oprah
media personality
Winfrey Show.)
with her own talk
show
Homosexuality in Eastern media
• Pakistan – Ali Saleem and his alter-ego
Begum Nawazish Ali.
Homosexuality in Eastern media
• India - “Fire” (Deep
Mehta, 1996)
- "I congratulate them
for what they have
done. The film's theme
is alien to our culture."
– Manohar Joshi,
Indian politician on
public vandalism due
to screening of 'Fire'.
 Eastern culture – transgender
identity
- Hijra – transsexual
- Shunned in society and
marginalized.
- Few employment opportunities
are available to hijras.
- In November 2009, India agreed
to list eunuchs and transgender
people as "others", distinct from
males and females, in voting
rolls and voter identity cards.
(BBC News. December 23,
2009.)
Homosexuality in Eastern media
• UAE - “Gay party accused remanded in
custody” (Khaleej times, December 1, 2005)
The UAE authorities see them as a social
case which needs special attention – social
support centre.
• Reports of sodomy in the UAE media
• Sayyidaty – issue no. 26 talks about
transgender tolerance
 Western vs. Eastern societies
• Individualism vs. Collectivism
• Tightness vs. Looseness
• Universalism vs. Particularism
• Emotional expression vs.
suppression
• Shame vs. Guilt
• Conservative worldviews vs. liberal
worldviews
• Legal repercussions vs. Freedom
of expression
 Conclusion
• In essence, the acceptance or rejection of
homosexuality is, as we can see, a result
of differences in cultural value systems,
attitudes and beliefs in Eastern and
Western societies.