Let sex and religion interchange places: Madhavi Menon

The topic on complexities of sexualities opened up to a wide audience under the shady tree on the 3rd day of Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters. The lively interaction by Madhavi Menon, Dean Atta, Nirmala Govindarajan moderated by Adrija Bose saw the participation of young men and women and also gender activists too.

Author and writer of 'Infinite Variety: A history of desire in India', Madhavi Menon wanted women to break silence and come out of the shells. "They must not be silenced and women need to talk about sexuality just as they talk about other subjects." What is threatening to people is not homo or hetro sexuality but just sexuality. The problem people have is with sexuality. Sexuality becomes problematic in the social context as it is seen as threatening rather than enlivening.

Gender activist from Britain Dean Atta said men should be free to dress how they want and want to be free in public to express oneself and safety is one factor that must be taken care of. Nirmala Govindarajan mentioned about horse therapies that the girls involved in sexual business need to undergo. They also have very deep sexual urges due to the exposures at an early age and all these are not even the girls' fault.

The end of the session saw Madhavi pleading to women not to hold up but come out. Let religion and sexuality interchange places. Let us talk about sex in public and religion inside.