Social Constructions of Male Sexual Identity: Translational Limitations of Western "Homosexuality" in an Indian Male Patient

The contemporary discourse on human sexuality has sought to create a space for marginalized sexual minorities and thereby empower them through a collective identification that posits itself as a healthy alternative to the dominant mode. However, such constructions of sexuality risk solidifying the boundaries between these modes and may thereby limit full sexual expression by forcing one to self-identify in binary terms. This is especially problematic when seeking to engage non-Western individuals whomay find it easier to identify in alternative, unaccounted for, sexual terms. Using a clinical case as experienced by a psychiatric resident, this paper hopes to explore the limitations of using binary (Western) sexual categories to understand and treat an Indian man sexually aroused by other men. Specific cultural similarities and differences are examined for their relevance as obstacles or facilitators of sexual expression.