We the people need our multiple genders

Modern Family is a show about a slightly dysfunctional joint family whereby Cameron and Mitchell are two married gay men who live with their adopted daughter, Lily. Last week, while re-watching Season 3, something struck me. In one particular episode, Mitchell and Cameron want to adopt a son and Mitchell mourns that he won't be able to enjoy "manly activities" because of his sexuality. Later in the show he burns down a birdhouse. It was hilarious, but not at the cost of Mitchell's sexualilty.

TV shows have always had main leads in heterosexual relationships (Ted Moseby from How I Met Your Mother, Castle from Castle, and everyone from Friends as popular examples).

"Roses are red, gender is performative. Mass market romanceis Heteronormative"
-@sfgnyc on twitter

Even though society and mainstream media have accepted the role of the queer folk in the world, there still exists a divide. Our society is a heteronormative, one where being heterosexual is the default. This limits the all inclusive nature of media and may negatively affect the current and forthcoming populations because there are people who do not conform to heterosexual or heteroromantic behaviour (read: the LGBTQIA* community).

Assuming only two genders to be part of societal norms inhibits the social well-being of those individuals whose labels fall out with this convention. They inherently fear being isolated or shunned for the way they feel.

Your kid growing up in a heteronormative environment, means they read books, and watch movies and TV shows that have heterosexual characters. Emulating traits from those we idolize is human nature and the queer populace deserve better role models.

The world seems to realise its mistakes slowly but today's India hasn't caught on completely since even talking about such culture is taboo. But despite the divide, the slow integration of the LGBTQIA* community in societal norms is in progress with the advent of Bollywood movies incorporating characters like Anthony Moses from Mumbai Police (2013), Rahul Kapoor from Kapoor and Sons (2016) and Avinash from Bombay Talkies (Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh) (2013) both being homosexual has encouraged discourse and even sparked a web series All About Section 377 alluding to the 377th section of the Indian Penal Code.

Heteronormativity aims to crush creative liberty and freedom for many, and has them feeling alone and unloved because of its exclusionist nature and therefore it is vital to incorporate a diverse cast of people in our everyday pop culture.

Anasruta Das, Class X, RN Podar School, Mumbai

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