Butching it up: an analysis of same-sex female masculinity in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This paper seeks to examine the embodiment of female masculinity as experienced by 12 gender-non-conforming lesbians in Sri Lanka. By drawing on western feminist and queer theories, it critiques western theories in relation to a non-western subjectivity, attempting to unravel the seemingly empowering, albeit problematic, category of female masculinity. Data gathered through qualitative interviews address one key research question: how do gender-non-conforming lesbians in Sri Lankan embody female masculinity? As the discussion unfolds, this paper analyses the ways they view themselves, the extent to which their actions and behaviours fit within a masculine framework and the ways in which notions of desire are felt and understood in relation to their understanding of gender. In terms of theory, the analysis is located in social constructivist theory, while drawing on a postmodernist approach. Theoretically, the concept of female masculinity allows a woman embodying masculinity to dislodge men and maleness from it. The reality within a Sri Lankan experience, however, can at times be different, as this paper reveals.

El presente artículo intenta examinar la encarnación de la masculinidad femenina experimentada por 12 lesbianas srilanquesas inconformistas en cuestiones de género. El artículo critica las teorías occidentales en torno a la subjetividad no occidental, apoyándose en teorías feministas y queer occidentales, a la vez que trata de descifrar la categoría, aparentemente empoderante pero problemática, de masculinidad femenina. Los datos recopilados a través de entrevistas cualitativas se dirigen a responder una pregunta central en la investigación: ¿cómo encarnan la masculinidad femenina las lesbianas srilanquesas inconformes en cuestión de género? En su desarrollo, el artículo analiza las maneras en que se autoperciben estas lesbianas; hasta qué punto sus acciones y comportamientos caben en un marco masculino; las maneras en que las nociones de deseo son sentidas y comprendidas en relación a su comprensión de género. En términos teóricos, el análisis forma parte de la teoría social constructivista que se apoya en un enfoque postmodernista. Teóricamente, el concepto de masculinidad femenina permite que la mujer que encarne la masculinidad expulse a los hombres y a la masculinidad del concepto. Sin embargo, en el contexto de Sri Lanka, a veces la realidad puede ser diferente, aspecto demostrado por el artículo.

Cet article tente d’examiner l’incarnation de la virilité féminine telle qu’elle est vécue par 12 lesbiennes non conformes aux genres au Sri Lanka. En s’appuyant sur les théories féministes et queer occidentales, il critique les théories occidentales appliquées à une subjectivité non occidentale en tentant de décortiquer le sens de la virilité féminine qui apparemment renforce le pouvoir, bien qu’étant problématique. Les données collectées au cours d’entretiens qualitatifs répondent à une question clé pour la recherche : comment les lesbiennes non conformes aux genre au Sri Lanka incarnent-elles la virilité féminine ? Alors que la discussion progresse, l’article analyse comment ces femmes se perçoivent ; jusqu’où leurs actions et leurs comportements sont en accord avec les représentations masculines ; et comment elles ressentent et comprennent les notions de désir par rapport à leur compréhension du genre. En termes de théorie, l’analyse est située dans la théorie constructiviste sociale tout en exploitant une approche postmoderniste. Théoriquement, le concept de virilité féminine permet à une femme qui incarne la virilité d’en déloger les hommes et la masculinité ; cependant, comme le révèle cet article, la réalité peut quelquefois être différente dans le contexte sri lankais.

Keywords::

• Sri Lanka
• female masculinity
• sexuality
• lesbians
• tomboyism

Acknowledgements

Sincere thanks to friends and colleagues without whom this paper would not have been possible – Brian Jeganathan, Katherine Davis, Kaushalya Perera, Kumudini Samuel, Nehama Jayewardene, Renuka Senanayeke, Sepali Kottegoda, Sunila Abeysekera and Susie Jolly. Special thanks also to the Women's Support Group, Sri Lanka, and all the respondents who willingly agreed to share their stories with me. I am indebted to the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme for funding my postgraduate study at the University of Sussex. This paper is an abridged version of a Masters degree dissertation, completed in 2009 under the supervision of Sally Munt, who I am very grateful to. I also wish to thank the International Association for the Study of Sexuality, Culture and Society and, particularly, to Fatima Valdivia for encouraging me to submit my paper for possible inclusion in this special issue of Culture, Health & Sexuality. Very special thanks to Evelyn Blackwood for her valuable editorial advice and, most importantly, for making the reviewers' comments easier to engage with.

Notes

^1. I use the term ‘gender non-conforming lesbians’ to describe lesbians who do not subscribe to normative standards of femininity.

^2. The Burghers are a Eurasian ethnic group.

^3. The names of all respondents have been changed for reasons of confidentiality.

^4. In Sri Lanka, when a woman gets married it is customary for her to replace her own last name with that of her husband.

^5. A long tunic like shirt, popular in North India.

^6. As a country that is gradually emerging from a 30-year-old ethnic conflict, military checkpoints continue to be located in Colombo and elsewhere for ‘security’ reasons. All Sri Lankans are expected to carry National Identification Cards (which provide details of name, address, age, sex and ethnicity) and produce them upon request at checkpoints.

^7. In Thailand, butch and femme lesbians are identified as toms and dees (Sinnott 1999, 2007).