SUMMERY
This seminar explores the intersection of gender and sexuality with the international human rights regime. Women’s rights, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) rights, and the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are among the most contested issues in both international and domestic arenas. This class will discuss debates surrounding (1) the inclusion of gender and sexuality rights within the human rights framework (2) cultural relativism and imperialism in human rights and (3) state regulation of gender and sexuality. The course will also explore the legal frameworks that affect the lives of women, LGBTQ individuals and PLWHA, looking substantively at human rights advocacy and legal reform around various issues, including (1) the criminalization of same-sex sexual activity (2) the regulation of sex work (3) the regulation of reproduction and reproductive health (4) gender violence and (5) HIV/AIDS.
