What do you think Halperin's opinion on sexuality as a culture?

David Halperin, a professor at the University of Michigan, teaches a class called “How to be Gay”. He also has a book with the same title. It looks like he says that being “gay” is a specific culture that goes with one’s sexuality. You can read the small blurb about the book here. Or if you have time and want to read a longer excerpt, click here.

Do you think that this is a generalization? It seems like the epitome of sexual objectification to me, which is a psychology I despise. I don’t deny that there is a culture that exists based on guys who label themselves as “gay” (I’ve been to Provincetown), but considering the term “gay” as a culture tells people what to do because of their sexuality and forces them into a social norm.

And where do women fall under this category? Does this mean that there is even more of a border between genders? Is this really information to be presented at a post-secondary level? Why is there such a stress on sexuality in society?

I’m just wondering. We read the really long article in my class, and it kind of drove me crazy and I thought it was stupid, but maybe I’m thinking about it the wrong way. Please share your thoughts! Hopefully it’ll help me understand it more.