5/18 Roy

Roy’s article gives an insightful look on sexuality in South Asia through the lens of the internet and how American ideas of LGBT can be brought upon other cultures. In some sense, the internet can be seen as an outlet to the transnationalization of sexuality while America becomes the basis for understanding the LGBT.  Roy gives a critical point of view of the internet as it connects the LGBT community, but also perpetuates structural inequality in terms of class and gender identity.

 In my opinion, this article is well versed in critically analyzing the effects of the internet within the LGBT community. Today, the internet is mostly seen as a positive, essential tool for everyday survival in America. It is hardly seen as harmful. Yet, people can easily become very attached and dependent to the internet. Therefore, when a sensitive population becomes encompassed by the internet, painful consequences can still occur. For instance, regulation of what is being said or done becomes difficult to track and the digital/gender divide perpetuates inequality as only certain people of class and gender can gain access to the internet’s resources. Low-class citizens were sometimes not able to obtain internet. Then, women were excluded from the internet's resources as some women did not have the same autonomy as men. I feel like this example is not easily thought about, which makes Roy’s examination of sexuality and the internet in Asia unique.