Test 2: Sexual Orientation

Question 1

Social Construction of S-E-X

Answer 1

-not something innate/instinctively know;
-something we learn from fam, school, peers/media as we grow–strong cultural context
-Sex fundamentally a social enterprise
•What, what is ‘normal’,when,with whom,how long, under what conditions, + purpose are learned from various agents of socialization
• Michel Foucault–The History of Sexuality

Question 2

Sexual Orientation

Answer 2

identification of individuals as hetero, bi/homo based on emotional + sexual attractions, relationships, self-identity, + lifestyle.

Question 3

Sexual Orientation

Answer 3

Heterosexuals: predominantly attracted to members of the other sex
Homosexuals: members of the same sex
Bisexuals: attracted to both sexes
Word ‘gay’ often refers to a male homosexual, while word ‘lesbian’ often refers to a female homosexual
gender+orientation: linked, but diff.

Question 4

What’s in a Name?

Answer 4

Word ‘gay’ emerged in 1940s and 1950s to refer to both men and women homosexuals
Gay women claimed ‘lesbian’ as their identification during 1960s and 70s
Bisexual and transgender were added to form GLBT in the late 1990s - Replaced by LGBT in mid 2000s

Question 5

What’s in a Name?

Answer 5

People constantly need new words/letters to describe emerging identities + social roles–no single correct term
LGBTIQ (includes intersex and queer)
LGBTIQQIIAA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer, ques0oning, intersex, intergender, asexual, ally and beyond)
About social change, social power, respect, self-respect, and visibility
no single term correct term
political categories deal with rights

Question 6

Operationalization in Action: Sexual Orientation

Answer 6

contributes to a person’s sexual orientation:

1. Sexual behaviour
2. Sexual fantasies
3. Emotional attachments
4. Sexual self-concepts

Question 7

Who is Homosexual

Answer 7

1.Either hetero/homo
2.Kinsey: continuum based on behaviour (from exclusively heterosexual to exclusively homosexual)
3.Klein: sexual orientation grid (sexual attraction, sexual behaviour, sexual fantasies, emotional preference, social preference, self-identification, + heterosexual/homosexual lifestyle)
Also looking at past, present and ideal conditions(diff. context,oppurtunity to explore)

Question 8

Statistics

Answer 8

1. 3%-4% of M predominantly gay
2. 1.5%-2% of W predominantly lesbian
   - Changes in norms, negative sanctions + restrictions combined with more positive sensibilities about what it means to be involved in same-sex relationships has led to an increase in rates in surveys

Question 9

Why Are There Different Sexual Orientation?

Answer 9

Nature/nurture: interaction of biological + environmental forces affect development of orientation
Environmental factors: availability of sexual partners, early sexual experiences, + sexual reinforcement
-cannot be changed, efforts to change do not work + may be harmful (Canadian Psychiatric Association)

Question 10

Why Are There Different Sexual Orientation?

Answer 10

• interested in consequences+variations not origins
• looking at patterns of similarities + diff. betw. contexts
• change may happen over time

Question 11

Sociological Approach to Sexual Orientation

Answer 11

less interested in origins than way it is socially constructed (wide variety of ways it is expressed + repressed)
Homosexuality considered disease until 1973 when it was removed from the DSM by APA
Increased international liberalization of policies on same-sex behaviors, repeal of punishment

Question 12

Growing Up GLB

Answer 12

not fitng in the heteronormative script
youth likely to experience:
Higher levels of stigmatization and discrimina0on
Higher level of depression
-some commonalities in experience
-norms: aligns with gender expectations

Question 13

Heteronormativity

Answer 13

holds that heterosexuality is normal orientation

assumes alignment of biological sex, gender identity and gender roles

Question 14

Coming Out to Self and Others

Answer 14

process of establishing a personal self-identity + communicating it to others
GLB youth with positive coming-out experience have higher self-confidence, lower rates of depression, better psychological adjustments
Parental rejection during coming-out process is a major health risk
Approximately 1 out of 4 gay youth are forced to leave home because of orientation

Question 15

stages of coming out

Answer 15

1) Identity Confusion 2) Identity Comparison, 3) Identity Tolerance, 4) Identity Acceptance, 5) Identity Pride 6) Identity Synthesis-not master status

Question 16

Effects of Stigma

Answer 16

GLB youth more likely to think about + commit suicide
29%-42% attempted (compared to estimated rates of 7%-13% among hs students in general)
higher rates of substance abuse + alcohol-related problems, homelessness, risk of harrassment

Question 17

Stigma Slowly Changing

Answer 17

increasingly less stigma0zed over past century Factors: i.Scientific rationale supported belief in normality of sexual diversity (Kinsey studies in 1940s)

ii. Political legitimation of homo + sexual diversity that arose out of organized gay and lesbian demonstrations, parades + political pressure groups-increasingly successful
- significant shift toward acceptance, demanding of rights, to be recognized

Question 18

Attiudes About Homosexuality

Answer 18

believe sexual orientation chosen=less accepting + tolerant than those who believe sexual orientation is something one is born with

Question 19

Opposition to homosexuality can take various forms:

Answer 19

1. Resistance to political change (equality rights)
2. Physically attacking or threatening those thought to be homosexual
3. Anti-gay and anti-lesbian name calling (“gay bashing”)

Question 20

Hate crimes

Answer 20

Disproportionate harm – exceeds harm inflicted on individuals, assault with excess harm
1) Attack a core feature of the victim’s identity
2) Negatively impact entire communities by
making other members fear for their safety
3) Injuries and damage inflicted on victims are more severe

Question 21

Gender Socialization and Homophobia

Answer 21

important role in gender socialization: encourages stricter conformity to traditional expectations, puts pressure to be close to ideals of masculinity/femininity, especially M + boys
Slurs directed against gays encourage boys to act more masculine as a way of affirming for their peers that they are not gay
risk being called gay

Question 22

Gender Socialization and Homophobia

Answer 22

slurs make homo negative
important ppl dont see them as gay
falling short on gender roles (female athletes)
promotes gender conformity on one hand and learned hostility towards gays and lesbians on the other

Question 23

Combating Homophobia and Heterosexism

Answer 23

Law –Homosexuality was decriminalized 1969, orientation added to Canadian Human Rights Act in 1996, Same-sex couples benefit recognized by legislation in 2000, Same-sex marriage formally turned into law in 2005
The Media –increasing amount of depictions of GLBs in pop culture: key element in its increasing acceptance, led to normalization
Education – an important element is information and raising awareness, schools spend more time studying sexuality

Question 24

Homophobia

Answer 24

Antihomosexualism, homoerotophobia, homosexism, homonegativism/homophobia
-fear of homosexuals, prejudice + discrimination
Biphobia is negative attitudes toward bi
Correlates: younger Age, more education, urban, positive interactions, more gays exposed to=more accepting