CI: Sexual identities

Question 1

what is Heteronormativity?

Answer 1

Acceptance in a culture that hetrosexual relationships are the norm and any other form of sexuality is not normal.

Heteronormativity portrays heterosexuality as a superior form of sexuality.

Question 2

what is Stigmntised identity/ spoiled identity ?

Answer 2

an individual’s concept of themselves - the ‘self’ is based on hegemonic gender identity is likely to see gay as not ‘normal sex ‘ therefore this creates ‘Stigmntised’ or ‘spoiled identity’.

Question 3

which sociologist argues about gay and lesbian people using ‘impression management’

Answer 3

Goffman:
notes that people will use ‘impression management’ to hide aspects of their sexuality to prevent public stigmatisation and discrimination.

Question 4

name two examples from Office for National Statistics 2020 about sexual identities.

Answer 4

1. An estimated (3.1% )of the UK population aged 16 years and over identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual
2. in 2020,
   an increase from 2.7% in 2019 and double the percentage from 2014(1.6%).

Question 5

what is stonewall?

Answer 5

is a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights charity in the United Kingdom.

Question 6

data from Stonewall Statistics (2018-2021):

Answer 6

Ø family: only half of lesbian ,gay and bi people(46%) and trans people (47%) feel able to be open about their sexual orientation or gender identity to everyone in their family.

Ø poverty: almost one in five LGBT people have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives.

Ø ethnicity: half of black ,Asian and minority ethnic LGBT people have experienced discrimination or poor treatment from others in the LGBT community due to their ethnicity.

Ø workplace: more than a third of LGBT staff have hidden that they are LGBT at work for fear of discrimination.

Ø Hate crime: two third of LGBTQ+ people had experienced anti-LGBTQ+ violent or abuse.9 in 10 had verbal abuse. 3 in 10 had experienced physical violence and 2 in 10 had experienced sexual violence.

Ø school: 42% of LGBTQ+ school pupils have been bullied in the past year.

international : 70 countries criminalise same sex relationships . the death penalty for same sex relationships are either allowed or occurs in 11 of these countries.

Question 7

what are the two key statistics for sexual identities?

Answer 7

1. Office for National Statistics 2020
2. Stonewall statistics 2018-2021

Question 8

what is Postmodernists’ view on sexual identities ?

Answer 8

think it is individual choice , freedom about sexual identity, increase in diversity is good , change in cultural attitudes , growing acceptance of all forma of sexuality.

Question 9

what is Radical feminists’ view on sexual identities?

Answer 9

political lesvianism, sexual separateness from men , patriarchy governs sexual identities ,structural changes are needed for emancipation.

Question 10

what is Liberal Feminists’ view on sexual identities?

Answer 10

positive steps have taken place in lesbian identity, law changes reflect the progress being made , feminisation of the economy and education is positive , improved media representation.

Question 11

what is Social Constructionism?

Answer 11

this is a concept describes the formation of an identity through the culture of which and individual lives.

Therefore, and identity is constructed by the interactions with others in that specific culture and through the agents of socialisation . this gender .

in terms of sexuality there are two schools of thoughts:

sexuality is a….

‘product of biology’ vs
social construction’( Ann Cronin)

Question 12

what are the 2 argument that support sexuality is a ‘product of biology’s view

Answer 12

-> belief that we are born gay, straight or bisexual
->belief that there is a ‘gay gene’

Question 13

what are the 2 arguments that shows sexuality is a ‘social construction’( Ann Cronin)?

Answer 13

-> Cronin : argue that the idea that you are born heterosexual or homosexual grew from the 17th century when the social identity of homosexual began to emerge. However, from this time , Cronin argues that there is widespread support for the idea that sexual identities are a choice.

-> the term sexually attractive in terms of hetrosexual men changes over time and country to country.

Question 14

A History of homosexuality in the UK

Answer 14

19th century: Homosexuality was illegal and punished by imprisonment.

1957 : the report of the departmental committee on Homosexual offences and prostitutions was punished . it advised the British Government that homosexuality shouldn’t be illegal.

in 1950-60s : change in cultural attitudes toward homosexuality . led to discriminations of homosexual acts (sexual offences Act)(only for gay men)

1989 Stonewall: in response to selection 28 legislation, actor sir Ian McKellen came out on BBC Radio 3 during a debate on the issues raised by the Bill. he co-funded Stonewall , a group renowned for its campaigning and lobbying for LGPTQ rights

in 2012 : now gay marriage is legal

Equality ACT (2010): Laws to protect against discrimination on the basis of sexuality were introduced in 1999, leading to the Equality Act 2010.

Question 15

what is Taylor’s view on sexual identity in society now is like?

Answer 15

lesbians have a much lower social profile compared to gay men and therefore the discrimination of sexuality up until the 1960’s was based on gay men and did not include lesbians.

Question 16

what is Radical Feminist’s view on sexual identity in society now is like?

Answer 16

many women wanted to bring about social change for women and therefore supported the Radical Feminist movement.
- This focuses on political and sexual separateness from men a necessity if they are to overcome patriarchy.
they believe political lesbianism is a way to live without men and to try to resist the discriminatory power of men.
Although they are aware that progress are made by women, they believe patriarchy still exists in society.

Question 17

what is Postmodernist’s view on sexual identity in society now is like?

Answer 17

it’s important that whilst postmodernism may support the rise of gay movement as it signifies choice, diversity and equality, in reality structural barrier still exists such as cultural attitudes and discriminations. therefore, they believe that homosexuality still hasn’t accepted by all section of society .

Question 18

what is Michel Dorais’s view on sexual identity in society now is like?

Answer 18

found that many gay men had attempted suicide as they struggle with their own sexual identity in a homophobic society who judged these men as effeminate(men with feminine traits) and therefore did not fit into the norms of heterosexuality.

Question 19

social experience : How is an individual’s social experience affected by sexuality?

Answer 19

1. society makes a presumption that people are hetrosexual before anything
2. they are stigmatised by other members of society:
3. They may be subject to discrimination or stereotyped by members of society:
   result of stigmatised identity is created through discrimination in society .(Labelling theory by Becker)
4. the maybe subject to verbal or physical abuse:
   although discrimination toward gay people is protected though law, in reality they still get discriminated .
5. they have different leisure activities : rise in gay subculture has lead to leisure activity targeted gay people( gay bar, gay gyms)
6. Gay people have a relatively low representation and misrepresentation in the media :

Question 20

what is ‘Pink pounds?

Answer 20

spending power of gay professionals has been targeted by gay bars, restaurant and clubs. the spending of ‘pink pounds’ are the new forms of masculinity overcome most of the stigma attached to homosexuality also this reduces feeling different and opposition between gay men and straight men.

Question 21

3 key movements that have activity sought changes to the law are

Answer 21

1. Reports-Stonewell report- actively campaigning for equal rights between homosexuals and hetrosexual.
2. Demonstration- gay pride, marches ,petitions ,demonstration to heighten awareness. -increase in gay celebrities has made people to open their minds .
3. LGBT Movement- fighting for equal rights .

Question 22

postmodernist’s Evaluation on rise in gay subculture

Answer 22

whilst postmodernist may support the rise of the gay movement as it signifies choice ,diversity and equality,

BUT in reality there is still structural barriers , cultural attitudes and discrimination which is still preventing gay people to live free from prejudice.

Question 23

which sociologist talks about gay men suicide rate?

Answer 23

-Dorias

-Dorias has found that many gay men attempted suicide as they struggled with their own sexuality in homophobic society.

Question 24

Law change in sexual identities

Answer 24

rise of equal rights legislation, such as …..
Equality Act 2010, Civil Partnerships(2005), Gay Marriage(2014)

Question 25

Cultural Expectations and cultural acceptance

Answer 25

since the 1960’s there has been an increasing change in the attitudes and values held regarding sexuality . Gay identities have become much more accepted in modern society and this has been reinforced through the media and law changes.

Question 26

rise in more choice of masculinity

Answer 26

rise in more choice of masculinity identities. Men are increasingly more concerned with their body shape, appearance ,weight ,diet etc.

Question 27

sexualisation of Men’s Body /Moobies

Answer 27

Traditionally the media has turned its attention ‘Moobies’(male boobs) in the 2000’s . This began with’ the Sun newspaper ‘publishing their ‘wall of shame’ pictures of famous men’s breasts in 2005.

the key focus has been reinforcing an ideal body image through the stigmatisation of bad body shape of men.

Question 28

Role of Media in body image portrayal

Answer 28

Men’s bodies have become more sexualised with more men’s naked bodies being portrayed in the media , such as ‘Torso of the week’ in some women’s magazines , and through perfume adverts-> growing importance of men’s body image , rather tan just women’s .

Question 29

Physical Scrutiny of Men

Answer 29

Men’s bodies have become more sexualised with more men’s naked bodies being portrayed in the media , such as ‘Torso of the week’ in some women’s magazines , and through perfume adverts-> growing importance of men’s body image , rather tan just women’s .

Question 30

Physical Scrutiny of Men

Answer 30

men are now beginning to face dame physical scrutiny as women has traditionally in the past. McRobbie , notes “the beauty stakes have gone up for men, and women have taken up the position of active viewers”.

Question 31

Leisure and Consumption/pink pound

Answer 31

the gay identity has led to gay professionals spending their ‘pink pound ‘ and engaging in different leisure activities to heterosexual males. there is an emphasis on physical appearance and demonstrating identity through what they buy.

Question 32

changes in Sexual Attractiveness of the female body

Answer 32

18/19th century: paintings of women suggests that the idea of feminine beauty was on ‘plump’ voluptuous women.

1950’s: Marilyn Monroe- sex icon, but still considered a full-figure women.

present day: waif-like , skinny supermodels and celebrities are idealised by the media which creates the level of expectations of women’s body shape.

Question 33

Differing body image portrayal in the media

Answer 33

the media criticise ‘fat’ women or overweight women and highlights this in magazines and newspapers. some feminists argue that these media representations have led to eating disorders in modern society.

Hunt: argues that the ‘media recognise society’s obsession with looking slim and perpetuate the idea that slimness= success, happiness. less impact on men than women in media

Mulvey - ‘Male gaze’: women’s sexual identity is sexuality objectified in male gaze. women’s identity is for men to gaze at them.

Question 34

Double standards in sexual identity

Answer 34

men and women have different sexual identities . in terms of sexual morality for men and women there are double standards.

Lees: notes that for women who are promiscuous they are labelled negatively as ‘slags’ but men are labelled as ‘studs’.

for women , their sexual identity carries risks ,especially in the stigmatisation of their identity is they are seen to be too sexually active.