Sexual Identity

Question 1

In the UK what is the ideal form of sexual identity and why

Answer 1

Heterosexuality because of its links to reproduction

Question 2

What do some sociologists consider heterosexuality the product of

Answer 2

Culture rather than biology

Question 3

What does Weeks (1987) point out

Answer 3

That sexuality tends to be much more strongly linked to identity for those who are homosexual than those who are heterosexual.

Question 4

What does Weeks (1991) observe about coming out as gay

Answer 4

To come out and announce a gay sexuality is to make a statement about challenging the dominant heterosexual hegemony.

Question 5

What does Plummer (1996) claim about homosexuality

Answer 5

Homosexuality is not created by sexual attraction but instead created by the process of ‘coming out’ in a society which is still not totally accepting of homosexuality. The construction of homosexuality usually involves seeking out and joining a gay subculture.

Question 6

What does Rich (1980) argue

Answer 6

That heterosexuality is forced upon women. She argues that lesbian identity has been written out of existence and written off as abnormal. Men find it threatening because its existence challenges the dominance of hegemonic masculinity.

Question 7

What does McIntosh (1996) claim

Answer 7

That in Western societies gay identity is associated with particular cultural characteristics which people use to distinguish gay men from ‘straight’ men

Question 8

What was homosexuality seen as in the early part of the 20th century

Answer 8

A form of deviant or abnormal sexuality

Question 9

What was made illegal in the 19th century in the UK

Answer 9

Sexual activity between men (they could go to prison for it)

Question 10

What happened in the 1960s

Answer 10

Cultural attitudes towards homosexuality began to shift. Homosexual acts between consenting adults over 21 were decriminalised.

Question 11

When was the Equality act

Answer 11

2010

Question 12

What did the 2010 Equality act do

Answer 12

Made discrimination on the basis of sexuality (and many other identities) unlawful.

Question 13

When was gay marriage legalised

Answer 13

2014

Question 14

In what parts of society is homosexuality still immoral

Answer 14

Certain parts like religious groups

Question 15

In the mass media what is homosexuality rarely portrayed as

Answer 15

Normal or ideal condition

Question 16

In recent years what has the Western society seen the appearance of

Answer 16

New transgender identity

Question 17

What is Transgender identity

Answer 17

A persons internal, personal sense if being a man or a women. Transgender people find that the sex they were assigned at birth and their own internal gender identity don’t match.