“Sworn Virgins”

I came across this on youtube:

Basically, it’s about women in northern Albania who live their lives as men, but, as the description on youtube tells us, “are neither transexual or gay.” The video clip emphasizes this, with the researcher pointing out that sex is such a minor part of the culture that it doesn’t really matter to them.

I’m struggling with my own reaction to this. Of course, it’s just a four minute clip from National Geographic, and I should probably read about it before actually attempting to understand. I guess I have trouble buying that these people are asexual, although I can understand that the reason for their gender expression is primarily, if not entirely, a matter of financial survival. But I know I also have to recognize that my viewing it through a queer, Western, economically priveleged lens is no better than the researchers’ viewing it through a straight, Western, economically priveleged lens. And then there’s all these thoughts about cultural appropriation and yada yada yada…

Point is, it’s pretty interesting, and I think I’ll read the book. Thoughts?

~ by musiclikemercy on June 3, 2007.