Lesbian Culture and Catholic Nuns An Analysis of Sexuality and Celibacy in Autobiographical Narratives

Name of Author : Dr. Santhosh P C

Abstract: The paper critically analyzes the sexual culture of Catholic nuns reflected in personal narratives, and concealed by Catholic hierarchy with the discourse centered on the ideal virgin, presented in narratives and documents produced by the ideological framework of the Catholic Church. Generally, there are two modes of sexual expression present in a cultural context, homosexuality and heterosexuality. Gender, sexuality, sexual orientation, sexual identity, self eroticism, sexual violence, sexual suppression, discourse of sexuality and power structures created by the sexual expression in specific social conditions are a few characteristics that are generally considered in any discussion of sexual culture. Apparently, the sexual culture within the convents is hidden from the knowledge of the outside world. Associating sexuality with nuns is not generally encouraged by the Catholic hierarchy, as the mere existence of the convents is based on the inmates sexual abstinence.

Keywords : Gender, sexuality, sexual orientation

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