LGBT themes in mythology

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LGBT themes in mythology
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LGBT themes in mythology occur in mythologies and religious narratives that include stories of romantic affection or sexuality between figures of the same sex or that feature divine actions that result in changes in gender. These myths are considered by some modern queer scholars to be forms of lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) expression, and modern conceptions of sexuality and gender have been retroactively applied to them. Many mythologies ascribe homosexuality and gender fluidity in humans to the action of gods or of other supernatural interventions.

The presence of LGBT themes in mythologies has become the subject of intense study. The application of gender studies and queer theory to non-Western mythic tradition is less developed, but has grown since the end of the twentieth century.[1] Myths often include being gay, bisexual, or transgender as symbols for sacred or mythic experiences.[2] Devdutt Pattanaik argues that myths "capture the collective unconsciousness of a people", and that this means they reflect deep-rooted beliefs[3] about variant sexualities that may be at odds with repressive social mores.[4]

  1. ^ Cabezón (1992), p. vii, "Introduction"
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference connerix was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Pattanaik (2002), p. 4: "Myths, legend, and lore capture the collective unconscious of a people. [...] To understand the unexpressed worlds of a people, to decipher coping skills of a culture, an unraveling of myth, a decoding of lore is essential."
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Pattanaik3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).