Chapter 6 : Inequalities Based on Sexual Orientation

Question 1

Sexual Orientation

Answer 1

an individual’s physical and/or emotional attraction to and involvement with the same and/or opposite sex, eg. gay, lesbian, bi, hetero

Question 2

Sexual Expression

Answer 2

all of the external characteristics and behaviors that are socially defined as either masculine or feminine, such as dress, grooming, mannerisms, speech patterns and social interactions

Question 3

Transgender

Answer 3

people whose gender identity or expression is different from those typically associated with the sex assigned to them at birth

Question 4

Cisgender

Answer 4

people whose gender identity or expression aligns with those typically associated with the sex assigned to them at birth

Question 5

Non-binary or gender queer

Answer 5

terms used by some people who experience their gender identity and/or gender expression as falling outside the categories of man and woman, or somewhere in between man and woman, or as wholly different from these terms. The term is not a synonym for transgender or transsexual and should only be used if someone self-identifies as non-binary and/or genderqueer.

Question 6

Homophobia

Answer 6

the irrational and excessive fear or intolerance of diverse sexualities, orientations, and gender identities

Question 7

Heterosexism

Answer 7

belief that heterosexuality is the only normal, natural, and moral mode of relating, and hence is superior to diverse sexualities, orientations, and gender identities

Question 8

Compulsory Heterosexism

Answer 8

a belief system that offers no options other than heterosexual behaviour, and denies, denigrates, and stigmatizes diverse sexualities, orientations, and gender identities, relationships, and communities

Question 9

Queer

Answer 9

a general term for anyone who does not identify as conventional in their sexuality

Question 10

Sexual Difference Now and Then

Answer 10

Thailand - Lady boys
India - transgender get equal rights as a matter of human rights
Women -to women marriage is practiced by Igbo people of Nigeria
Lesbian Orgy in Japan

Question 11

LGBTQ Youth

Answer 11

[R]esearchers have demonstrated that the combined effects of bullying or alienation by peers, and difficulties in accepting one’s sexual orientation, are correlated with the onset of a number of mental health problems among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth. Such problems have included violent behavior, alcoholism and substance abuse, eating disorders, and suicidal ideation.

Question 12

The Gay and Lesbian Rights Movement

Answer 12

19th C = emergence of same-sex erotic cultures in urban centres
gay men labeled as “perverts” and “deviants”  criminalization
lesbians oppressed through enforcement of women’s dependence on the hetero, nuclear family unit
1957 Wolfenden Report (UK) decriminalized homosexual acts between 2 consenting adults (over 21) conducted in private
1967, PM Pierre Elliot Trudeau: “The state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation”; proposes reform
 1969 partial decriminalization of gay sex conducted in private
 acceptable gay sex in private versus unacceptable gay sex in public
 police raids of gay establishments, late 1970s–early 1980s
 gay and lesbian rights movement
Toronto, 5 Feb 1981, 150 police officers descended on the city’s 4 main gay baths
289 men were charged + 20 staff
6 Feb 1981, more than 3,000 gay men, lesbians, and supporters protested on Yonge Street and marched to police headquarters
More than 4,000 marched a few weeks later, supported by trade unionists, feminists, racialized groups, and more.

The desire to criminalize queer sexuality backfired.
Instead, it galvanized a political movement.
Eventually, the vast majority of those charged were acquitted.

Question 13

AIDS and Activism

Answer 13

AIDS epidemic, early 1980s  rise in homophobia

ACT UP activists educated themselves about antiviral medications, clinical-trial protocols, and the US Food and Drug Administration approval process.
persuaded government to invest in research and treatment
ACT UP’s leaders…“cracked open the opaque process” of drug development and “changed the whole face of advocacy.”
(Frank Bruni, 2012. Interview with Anthony S. Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. NY Times Op-Ed, March 17)

 increased AIDS funding in Canada  National AIDS Strategy, 1990

Question 14

Toward Formal Equality Under the Law

Answer 14

1982 Charter of Rights and Freedoms, s. 15 equality rights; discrimination vs sexual orientation added in 1995
 provinces amended laws re pensions, drug insurance, legal aid, social housing, childcare benefits, financial assistance, student assistance, tax credits, RSPs, employee retirement plans, health insurance
same-sex marriage in 2005 (Bill C-38)
Faith leaders are not compelled to perform same-sex marriages.

Question 15

Toward Substantive Equality in Society

Answer 15

legal equality ≠ social equality
without substantive equality, there are barriers to enjoying formal (legal) equalities, eg. spousal benefits, family healthcare coverage, adoption rights, freedom from harassment
“On an abstract and individual basis, our rights are recognized—but not in the context of our actual and substantive relationships and sexualities.” (Kinsman, 2001: 229)

Question 16

Class and Race Fractures in the LGBTQ Community

Answer 16

activism around entitlements for same-sex couples can be exclusionary
on one side are those who look like and act like hetero couples and their families
on the other side are those who do not aspire to be a spouse or a conventional family
fractures of class and race
 some “queer sexualities are subject to more control by “market forces, professional agencies and policies, and popular culture…” (Kinsman 2001: 228)

Question 17

LGBTQ in the media

Answer 17

Of the 895 regular characters expected to appear on primetime scripted broadcast programming in the coming year:
43 (4.8%) were identified as LGBTQ;
There was a total of 142 regular and recurring LGBTQ characters.
On streaming services Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix, there are 65 total LGBTQ characters.

Question 18

Functionalism

Answer 18

Norms and laws preserve the traditional family and maintain stability in society
Societies punish LGBT sexuality because it violates norms and undermines stability
It can be dysfunctional for society since it does not add new members

Change = use existing laws to protect the traditional family and status quo

Question 19

Conflict Theory

Answer 19

Norms pertaining to compulsory heterosexuality reflect the power of dominant groups
Homophobia is like racism and sexism
But court decisions and the LGBT movement led to recognition of formal legal rights and advances in substantive rights

Change = Repeal discriminatory laws and pass laws that ban discrimination; continue activism to gain equal rights.

Question 20

Interactionism

Answer 20

Views sexual behaviour as learned behaviour
Sexual orientation can be a “master status” (the most significant component of a person’s selfhood)
Examines how individuals come to identify with a sexual orientation, sexual expression, or gender
Socialization process: identity confusion; seeking allies
Gender fluidity

Change = Society should be more tolerant; legal and social barriers that prevent full participation in society should be removed.

Question 21

Feminism

Answer 21

Radical feminism adopted queer identities as a political standpoint; heterosexuality promotes the interests of men.
But this position alienates some feminists.
 complex position as both oppressed (as women) and oppressor (as hetero)

Change = anti-oppression; form alliances with other oppressed groups.

Question 22

Queer Theory

Answer 22

Rejects notions of “normal” or “natural”
Resists hierarchy of any sex, gender, sexual expression
Reclaims the term “queer” as self-identification
Plays with definitions and categories to subvert consciousness

Change = Define oneself as queer as an action of opposition and refuse to deconstruct it for the benefit of others  collective action is possible

Question 23

Ground Breaking Research in Chicago mid-1990s

Three criteria for identifying people as homosexual or bisexual:

Answer 23

1)sexual attraction- to person’s of one’s own sex
2)sexual involvement: with one or more persons of one’s own sex,
3)Self-identification: as gay, lesbian, or bisexual
Self identification plays a compounding role in the classification of sexual orientation

Question 24

Nature and Extent of Inequality Based on Sexual Orientation

Answer 24

In 2006, the number of couples reporting same sex coup status increased 11%
2011, 647, 575 reported same sex partners compared with 7 797 280 heterosexual couples
Statistics Canada suggests that same sex couples may be lower than reported

Question 25

Same sex couple statistics

Answer 25

In 2006 and 2011 higher number of males reporting same sex partnerships
In keeping with gender socialization norms and typical post divorce custody arrangements higher number of females had children.
Most population estimates place between 1-10 percent.

Question 26

Criminal Victimization (GSS)

Answer 26

1.5% identified as homosexual and 94% identified as heterosexual, 5% did not identify.
Homosexuality has existed in all societies throughout history

Question 27

Cultural sexuality

Answer 27

Norms are based on the assumption that some form of attraction and relationships are normal and inappropriate
Up until recently homosexuality in many European societies had been deviant
Many people were targets because of this classification
Dreamed abnormal and inappropriate

Question 28

Homophobia

Answer 28

The irrational and excessive fear or intolerance of homosexuals and homosexuality
Biphobia refers to treat and intolerance of bisexuality
According to sociologists these phobias are socially determined and not medical.

Question 29

Prejudices

Answer 29

Hysteria - those who view the object of their prejudice as “other”
Obsessive - feel the objects of their prejudice are “omnipresent conspirators or enemies” Eg. Atisemitism
Narcissistic - are irritated by the idea that there are not people like them.

Question 30

Stereotypical beliefs about lesbian and gay people

Answer 30

Often equate people’s sexual orientation with sexual practice
Regardless of the nature and extent of their sexual activity are often stereotyped as “sex obsessed, sexually compulsive, one predatory”
Depictions in media tend to reinforce stereotypes of gay men.

Question 31

Religion and Sexual Orientation

Answer 31

The main difference between homophobia or biphobia than other forms of discrimination is that people just assume that it is morally wrong.
While dame sex unions (civil) the law states that no religion does not have to endorse them
Buddhism is the only religion that does not condemn homosexuality

Question 32

Law and Sexual Orientation

Answer 32

In 1996 60% of Canadians thought that homosexuality was acceptable, compared with 44% of the US
4 decades sexual orientation prohibition laws grounded in human rights
However, in 1998 Alberta’s legislation (Vriend v Alberta) the legislation would be interpreted as a prohibited ground for discrimination in order to bring Alberta’s law in line with the rest of the country.

Question 33

Canadian Law: Sexual Orientation 960s

Answer 33

1969 omnibus bill, sexual acts that were committed between consenting adults fell within the parameters of individual freedoms, and thus many sexual practices, homosexuality “sodomy” were decriminalizing
1977 - the federal gov. Immigration regulation prohibiting homosexuals from immigrating

Question 34

1960s U.N. adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Answer 34

1960s-1970s canada adopted their own human rights
1982 repatriated into the Canadian Charter of right and freedoms
Individual is equal under the law, equal protection, benefit, based on race, national, ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, or mental or physical disability - Quebec - 1977- became the first province to include sexual orientation

Question 35

Laws and Homosexuality

Answer 35

1980-1990s through legally challenging pensions, bereavement leaves, alimony, and various other family law issues, individuals pushed, with varying levels of success, for recognition of Sam sex couples
Friend V Alberta - Supreme Court ruling - on yr later - several provincial governments amended their family law act

Question 36

Family Law ACT and homosexual partnerships

Answer 36

1999 the first provinces to amend the. Family law act by amending the definition of spouse were British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario, Nova Scotia in 2000
British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec challenged marriage laws in 2000 - granted the right to legally marry across Canada - Ontario government took it to Supreme Court and it was ruled unconstitutional

Question 37

Same Sex Marriage Bill C-38

Queer theory is thought to destabilize Concepts such as marriage and family when thinking about how to make more inclusive laws.

Answer 37

December 9, 2005 the Supreme Court ruled that Ottawas did have the exclusive right to determine who had the right to marry in Canada
Canada was the 4th country to legalize same sex marriage
June 2006 Canadians stated that giving same sex married the same rights as heterosexual was polled

Question 38

Interactionist Perspective: Sexual orientation and Inequality

Answer 38

Most people acquire the status of homosexual without being aware of it
Heterosexuality is privilege because they don’t have to think about it
It is seen as a Master Status: significant status a person possess, the one that most determines how the individual views him or herself and how he or she is viewed and treated others.

Question 39

Interactionist Perspective: Sexual Orientation and. Inequality (1)

Answer 39

Several common themes that people may experience in the process of accepting an identity outside of heterosexist

1) Identity confusion - a situation in which they feel different from other people they know and struggle with admitting that they are attracted to individuals of the same sex.
2) seeking out others with the same sexual identity

Question 40

Interactionist Perspective: Sexual Orientation and. Inequality (2)

Answer 40

3)as part of the coming out process many people report an attempt to integrate their self concept and acceptance of a label as homosexual etc. By pursuing a way of life that conforms to their definition of what those labels mean.
Stage theory - deals with identity construction everyone experiences coming out differently

Question 41

Interactionist perspective: Sexual Orientation and Inequality
Labelling Theory

Answer 41

Helpful in some instances, can create barriers in others full participation in Canadian society
Research suggests that those you self identify that are women sexual orientation can be fluid (longitudinal study)
One Theory posits that sexual orientation is a transitory stage of denial

Question 42

Interactionist Perspective: Sexual Orientation and Inequality (labelling theories)

Answer 42

Theory suggests that bisexuality is a category where people remain attracted to both sexes
Another theory suggests that bisexuality is an intensified form of human beings capacity for sexual fluidity
10 year period - women changed their sexual identity at least once

Question 43

Functionalist Perspective: Sexual Orientation

Answer 43

Social norms and laws are established to preserve social institutions and maintain stability to preserve social stability
Punish homosexuality conduct because it violates the social norms established by those societies and thus undermines their stability
- homosexuality undermines societal arrangement of survival value
Punishment reinforces expectations about heterosexual and marital sex

Question 44

Functionalist Perspective: Critics

Functionalist focus on how social relations create balance in society

Answer 44

Suggest that functinalist approach supports the status quo and ignores a need for more current definitions of marriage and family

Question 45

Conflict Perspective: Sexual Orientation

Answer 45

Focuses on tensions in society and differences in interests and power among appoint groups
People who hold the greatest power are able to have their own attitudes, beliefs, and values about sexual orientation represented and enforced.
Norms relating to heterosexuality reflect the beliefs of dominant group members - many coalitions have been formed to help marches

Question 46

Feminist and Post Modern Perspectives

Answer 46

1970s embracing binary and essentialist notions that women everywhere were bonded together in sisterhood on their common oppression by men everywhere
Radical Feminist theories analysis of the compulsory heterosexuality as the cornerstone of male privilege and sexism.
Weighs heavier on women than men because do not need female validation for their identity

Question 47

Feminist Perspectives: Sexual Pluralism 1980s

Answer 47

Valve red feminist assert the right of all women to make sexual choices and rejects the hierarchy of sexual practices
Sexual pluralism - no one choice is presented as the “norm”

Question 48

Feminist Perspectives: Beyond Pluralism

Answer 48

Some argued that the possibility of being heterosexual and feminist but “conscious” of both the privlidge and constraints of one’s choices
We need to map out a complicity of domination in order to move out of the subject position we claim on the margins of oppressed and oppressor

Question 49

Contemporary Feminism

Answer 49

increasingly focus on how age, class, race, gender, sexual orientation and so on come together to form a personal identity - specific time and context contingent experiences.
Shift from patriarchy and male power to more inclusive politics
Queer theorist view gender as a performance and refuse to hierarchies any sex above the other

Question 50

Queer theory

Answer 50

Seeks to subvert notions of “natural” and ‘normal”
View feminism as a grand narrative
Sexual violence pornography and other heterosexual eroticized models of sexuality that are based in profoundly oppressive
Power relations between heterosexuality and homosexuality invisible
Allowing liberalism which hides oppression

Question 51

Queer Theory: criticism

Answer 51

Using it as a essentialist bounded category, or fixed category has political power.for radical use, te term used by “straights” highlighting the multiplicity
We do not come together around the notion of sameness, but around the “critque” of the normal.

Question 52

Reducing Inequalities based on Sexual Orientation

Interactionist Perspective

Answer 52

Homosexual conduct is a learned behaviour
People should be more understanding as people come to understand and accept their identity, even if that identity shifts over time
Legal barriers that prevent non-heterosexuals from fully participating in society should be removed

Question 53

Reducing Social Inequalities based on sexual orientation:

Functionalism

Answer 53

Social norms and laws exist to protect the family and maintain stability in society
Demanding equal rights and recognition of marriage become destabilizing agents.
Homosexuality is seen as dysfunctional for society because it does not contribute new members to society.

Question 54

Critique of Radical feminism

Answer 54

Using a clique of patriarchy, advocated for the separation of men and women.
Lesbianism was promoted as the only rational and non oppressive mode of relationship
Puralism, with the idea that all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender , need to support one another to combat interlocking matrices of oppression.

Question 55

Queer Theory : Post Modernist Inspired Questions

Answer 55

Transgressing gender or sexuality norms people can flout the norms and demonstrate their arbitrariness and fluidity and thereby have an impact on changing or broadening norms and definitions.
Gay Advocacy is the most effective means of reducing homophobia and brining greater equality for non-heterosexual people.