Sexual citizenship in comparative perspective

Abstract

The chapter outlines the development of the concept of sexual citizenship and its various meanings. Particular attention is paid to the ways in which conceptions of citizenship identity and entitlements both presuppose, and help to reproduce, the sexual. It analyzes debates regarding the need to extend citizenship rights and entitlements to previously excluded and marginalized minorities, including LGBTIQ citizens in an international and comparative perspective. It also examines critiques of the concept of sexual citizenship, including arguments that the concept privileges state entitlements, that it can privilege particular types of relationships, and that it is Western-centric. The latter critique is addressed via a detailed analysis of the relevance of conceptions of sexual citizenship when applied to various countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The authors conclude that, despite its limitations, a flexible and reflective conception of sexual citizenship that allows for the specificity of local states and societies can still provide useful insights, both for academic analysis and for identifying key social justice issues.