the amount of homophobia in ecuador continues to astound me. yesterday, after my lecture, one of the students told me when they discussed homosexuality in one of his biology classes, he was one of only two students (out of about 50) who thought it was okay! many people, including well-educated future leaders of the country, continue to believe being gay is a disease that needs to be "cured." ugh. sure, there are progressive people here who accept homosexuality but they're by far the minority. the campus here is so different from wesleyan where exploring one's sexuality was not only accepted but encouraged. it's amazing how many times each day i hear the word, "maricon" (the spanish equivalent of faggot).
sex in general is a taboo topic. i find this incredibly interesting because the women here dress extremely sexy: skin tight jeans, teeny weeny tops and stilettos to class or to run errands. plus they're all having sex. sometimes i want to run through campus and scream out the names of various sexual acts. but that probably isn't very professor-like. it does make standing up in front of 70 students and discussing anal sex and masturbation rather interesting.
That's really scary reading, eh?
Anyway, I just found out you're living in Ecuador, are you originally from Ecuador?
I sure will give you tips on, where to go see some super danish design, whenever you get here!
Heck...I might even take you myself : )
Posted by: Kristina | November 10, 2005 at 12:21 PM
it is scary! and nope, i'm not ecuadorian, just living here for a year or two. i'm from new york.
Posted by: risa | November 10, 2005 at 01:30 PM
I just discovered your blog through kristina. I love it. It's really intersting to see where you are and lovely creative things you are posting about. I will be coming back to visit.
Posted by: jackie | November 10, 2005 at 06:22 PM
I suggest you run through campus screaming out sexual acts *in English*. This may be a little less controversial, yet still get a few people talking about sex. Or, just wear that t-shirt you found a few posts ago! Hee hee.
Posted by: jillypickle | November 11, 2005 at 01:00 PM
maybe i'll wear that shirt and nothing else. that'll get people talking for sure. although it may do more to stimulate conversations about mental health (something that is also needed) rather than sex. :)
Posted by: risa | November 11, 2005 at 03:03 PM