Paula Krisanty. Sexual subjectivities of young executive gay men in Jakarta, Indonesia . Master's Degree(Medical and Health Social Sciences). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2007.
Sexual subjectivities of young executive gay men in Jakarta, Indonesia
Abstract:
This research was intended to describe the fluidity of sexual subjectivities
of young executive gay men in Jakarta, Indonesia, in the context of their everyday
lives; to explain sexual practices of young executive gay men; to explain the sexual
health needs and problems that they encounter in their everyday lives; and to explain
the contextual factors which influence sexual fluidity, their sexual health needs and
problems.
This qualitative research design uses a narrative approach, postmodern
feminist standpoint’s, and discourse analysis to explore the experiences of
Indonesian gay men and how their perception of their homosexuality influence their
sexual subjectivities and sexual health. Five single young executive gay men
representing top, middle and lower executives, who had worked at least one year in
the private sectors, took part in this study. The purposive selection of research
partners was done using the snowball technique, and interviews were conducted
many times with each participant (3-4 times / 1 participant). Secondary data was
used to expand the data to get literature and information about institutionalized
socialization on gender / sexuality and family and marital law.
The findings of this research are divided to five major themes: sexual
subjectivity, fluidity of sexuality, time and space, sexual health needs, and contextual
factors. For each theme, the researcher found various and unrepeated experiences
among the participants. The way in which they perceived and accepted their sexual
orientation in the society, which still thinks of homosexuality as a social evil, lead
them to behave in an office environment, being professional with no love
involvement. Being gay was a part of their pride which lead to how they do “body
project” to fulfill their sexual subjectivity in the era of metrosexual phenomenon.
Sexual meanings and desire are not for sex per se, but there are feelings involved that
encourage them to distinguish between sex and love. This situation in which leads
the decision about practicing safe sex with their partners. The concept of time and
space that we can see from the way they present sexual acts in which very fluid
among them, such as from heterosexual to homosexual or from private place to
public space, or even the fulfill of desire in rumah kucing (gay brothels). The
contextual factors were sharpened as highlighted in this research about the new
regulations in Palembang, South Sumatera, and Indonesia, which regards
homosexuality as a part of prostitution activities and has criminalized it.
Finally, recommendations have been made on sexual rights, sexual health
education and further research on sexuality in Indonesia