Definitions and Key Terms

Question 1

Sexual Orientation

Answer 1

“Being romantically or sexually attracted to to individuals of a specific gender, both or neither” (GenderSpectrum.org)

Refereed to in categories such as bisexual, gay, lesbian, asexual, pan sexual etc (Williams and Stein)

Question 2

Gendered Violence

Answer 2

“Occurs as a result of normative role expectations associated with each gender, along with unequal power relations” (Bloom)

Includes threats or actions of threatening, coercive or controlling behavior (UN, 1993)

Question 3

Sex

Answer 3

Sexual behaviour
OR
Characteristics of our biology that separate us as male or female including anatomical and reproductive diferences

Question 4

Gender

Answer 4

The social aspect of being a man or a woman. Refers to cultural meanings, social roles and personality traits

Gender Fluidity- now up to 63 genders (aPath.org)

Question 5

Sexuality

Answer 5

Refers to sexual behaviour and sexual desire

• Biological Approach- sexuality is in-line with gender
• Psychological Approach- Psychoanalytic, post-structuralism and Queer theories… Sexuality is fluid and contradictory

Question 6

Social Construct of Sexuality

Answer 6

How meaning is created through social interaction

• Heteronormative ideals
• Gender privilege
• Tension between private and public sphere
• Arena for resistance which opens up new ways for thinking