SEXUAL IDENTITY THEORISTS Flashcards
Arguments they HAVE changed
Legislation
The Equality Act (2010) made it illegal to discriminate against someone based on their sexuality. The same-sex marriage Act (2013) made it legal for same-sex couples to be married
Arguments they HAVE changed
Postmodernist
Like gender, postmodernists argue that sexual identity is fluid (constantly changing). They believe there is less acceptance in modern society of being told how to act. Ppl more likely to pursue valuable relationships regardless of whether they are consistent with traditional sexuality ideas.
Arguments they HAVE changed
Anthony Giddens
Argues society more individualised, so far less consensus on how to live. Claims a Transformation of intimate relationships due to a greater acceptance of diff sexualities. Led to increase in Confluent love.
Arguments they HAVEN’T changed
Gay in Britain
Homophobia persists. Far more accepting but homosexuals still experience homphobic attacks. GiB found 55% of gay/lesbian/bi people faced regular homophobia in schools.
Arguments they HAVEN’T changed
Goffman
Uses term “impression management” to describe way some people feel they have to hide true sexual identity cos worried about stigmatisation of coming out.
Arguments they HAVEN’T changed
Recent laws on sexuality
In recent years, legislation targeting LGBT+ in western countries. In US in 2022, 6x more legislation attacking LGBT+ people then were in 2018.
Arguments they are STILL IMPORTANT
Vernon Weeks
Argued people would be unlikely to say “I am heterosexual”, saying that says something about belonging to a community.
Arguments they are STILL IMPORTANT
Vernon Weeks
Process of coming out interesting. Weeks suggest some participate in gay community while not engaging same-sex relationships
Some have same-sex relationships and don’t identify as gay
(Individual process)
Arguments they are STILL IMPORTANT
Rich
A feminist, Rich argues women forced into heterosexuality- compulsory heterosexuality. Women socialised into accepting.
Arguments they are STILL IMPORTANT
Reiss
Found that young male prostitues who participate in homosexual sex often didn’t identify as gay.
(Behaviours don’t define)
Arguments they are NO LONGER IMPORTANT
Quinn
Studied native american tribes - found same sex marriages between 2 males celebrated
More feminine partner being termed ‘beard ache’
Between 2 females where more dominant ‘husband’ participated in male activities.
Arguments they are NO LONGER IMPORTANT
Kinsey Scale
A way of identifying sexuality and shows that sexuality is a spectrum that everyone falls on
Eg mostly homosexual or mostly heterosexual
Arguments they are NO LONGER IMPORTANT
McIntosh
The homosexual role - found that once a person accepts that they are homosexual they conform to societal expectations of how a homosexual should act.
