Sexualidade, excreção e desejo. A performance cisgênero entre o banheiro e o público

Abstract

Studies on sexuality conducted in the 20th century expose the foundational issues of the relationship between sex and gender in the public sphere within hegemonic cultures. This is primarily a eugenic process that links functions to sexed bodies for the maintenance of the civilized status quo, where hygiene and decency in excretion performance play a fundamental role. These aspects serve as mediators of public perception of individuals' bodies. It is through hygiene habits that differences between bodies become visible, thereby providing fertile ground for the application of imperatives related to sexuality. This is reflected in how bathrooms are designed and organized, shaping the architectural manifestation of social norms and expectations regarding sexuality. Consequently, issues of segregation, control, and power often come into play in the conception and use of these spaces. This study aims to understand how hygiene habits become a normative construct of pleasure, morality, and power, placing cisgender performance at the center of perception of reality. Its purpose is to conduct a critical analysis of the spatial gaps left by the imperative of sexuality in public bathrooms. Subsequently, an argument is established based on a descriptive critical analysis of four case studies of different natures, highlighting the design capacity to dissociate public bathrooms from imperatives related to sexuality and treat them as a multidisciplinary program of needs. This research presents architectural touchstone to balance the spatial production of public bathrooms.