Ch 11 - Sexual Orientation and the Struggle for Equality Flashcards
Sexual Orientation
A person’s emotional and sexual attractions, relationships, self identity, and behavior
Heterosexuality
The predominance of emotional, cognitive, and sexual attraction to individuals of the other sex.
Homosexuality
The predominance of emotional, cognitive, and sexual attraction to individuals of the same sex.
Bisexuality
The emotional, cognitive, and sexual attraction to members of both sexes.
Lesbian
A woman who is attracted to same-sex partners
Gay
A term that can refer to either women or men who are attracted to same-sex partners
LGBT, LGBTQ, and LGBTQI
Terms used to refer collectively to lesbian, gay, bisexual, or “queer” and/or intersexed individuals
Gender non-conforming
Often used synonymously with transgender, gender non-conforming (smtms called gender variant) refers to displays of gender that are inconsistent with society’s expectations
Registered Partnerships
Federally recognized relationships that convey most but not all the rights of marriage
Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE)
Collectively refers to reparative, conversion, and reorientation therapies, according to the APA.
Master Status
The status that is considered the most significant in a person’s social identity
Internalized Homophobia (or internalized heterosexism)
The internalization of negative messages about homosexuality by lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals as a result of direct or indirect social rejection and stigmatization
Oppression
The use of power to create inequality and limit access to resources, which impedes the physical and/or emotional well-being of individuals or groups of people
Privilege
When a group has a special advantage or benefits as a result of cultural, economic, societal, legal, and political factors
Heterosexism
A form of oppression that refers to a belief system that gives power and privilege to heterosexuals, while depriving, oppressing, stigmatizing, and devaluing people who are not heterosexual.
Prejudice
Negative attitudes and feelings toward or about an entire category of people
Discrimination
Actions or practices that result in differential treatment of categories of individuals
Homophobia
Negative or hostile attitudes directed toward non-heterosexually identified individual, and communities of non-heterosexuals
Biphobia
When prejudice is directed toward bisexual individuals
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
Federal Legislation that states that marriage is a legal union between one man and one woman and denies federal recognition of same-sex marriages
Gender Expression
The way in which a person presents her-or himself as a gendered individual (ie masculine, feminine, or androgynous) in society. A person could, for example, have a gender identity as a male but nonetheless present their gender as female.
Minority Stress Theory
Explains that when an individual experiences the social environment as emotionally or physically threatening due to social stigma, the result is an increased risk for mental health problems.
Coming Out
The ongoing process whereby a lesbian, gay, or bisexual individual becomes aware of his or her sexuality, accepts and incorporates it into his or her overall sense of self, and shares that information with others such as family, friends, and coworkers.
National Coming Out Day
Celebrated on Oct 11, this day is recognized in many countries as a day to raise awareness of the LGBT population and foster discussion of gay rights issues.
Contact Hypothesis
The idea that contact between groups is necessary for the reduction of prejudice
Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA)
A proposed federal bill that would protect LGBT’s from workplace discrimination, has been up for congressional debate on a number of occasions since 1994, but has never been signed into law.
Civil Union
A legal status that entitles same-sex couples who apply for and receive a civil union certificate to nearly all the benefits available to married couples
Domestic Partners
A status granted to unmarried couples, including gay and lesbian couples, by some states, counties, cities, and workplaces that conveys various rights and responsibilities.
Respect for Marriage Act (RMA)
A bill that, if passed, would overturn DOMA and grant federal recognition to same-sex marriages, regardless of the state laws in which they reside.
Every Child Deserves a Family Act
This piece of federal legislation would remove obstacles to non-heterosexual (as well as transgender) individuals providing loving homes for adoption or foster care.
Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA)
This new law expands the original 1969 federal hate crimes law to cover hate crimes based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability.
Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs)
School-sponsored clubs led by middle or high schools, that strive to address anti-LBGT name-calling and promote respect for all students.
National Day of Silence
A day during which students do not speak in recognition of the daily harassment that LBGT students endure
Gay Pride
Demonstrative and cultural expressions of gay activism that include celebrations, marches, demonstrations, or other cultural activities promoting gay rights
