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Gays, Lesbians, and Homophobia Chapter 12 Introduction • Homosexuality: General orientation for sex with other members of one’s own gender. – Male with male relationships (gay). – Female with female relationships (lesbian). • Homosexual behavior generally extends beyond just sexual activities and tend to also include companionship and affection. The Development of the Notion of Homosexuality • The term homosexuality: – Became popular in 1869 when Benkert defined it as: • A failure to achieve “normal erection” during contact with a member of the opposite sex. • However, this definition was rejected by professional literature because it excludes alternative criteria's such as love (homophilic) and attraction (homogenic). In-Class Question 1. A well-known study of sexuality in the United States (Kinsey, Pomeroy, & Martin, 1948) found that 37 percent of men experience homosexual contact sometime in their lives, but only 4 percent remain exclusively homosexual. a) True b) False In-Class Question 1. A well-known study of sexuality in the United States (Kinsey, Pomeroy, & Martin, 1948) found that 37 percent of men experience homosexual contact sometime in their lives, but only 4 percent remain exclusively homosexual. a) True b) False Answer: A The Development of the Notion of Homosexuality • A sociologist identifies a true homosexual as any adult who regards himself or herself as a homosexual and who willingly acknowledges the label before another person. Homosexuality as Deviant Behavior • Historically, attitudes towards homosexuality have varied. – Example: Greek and Roman times. • Society labels homosexuality as deviant by initiating and reinforcing sexual norms. • Homosexual behavior is not inherently deviant but becomes so as a result of a purposive social process. Homosexuality as Deviant Behavior • Critics of homosexual behaviors mainly advocate religions prohibitions. • Such behavior deviates from “normal” family situations by distorting general sex roles in society. Social Dimensions of Homophobia • Individuals with homosexual orientations frequently become targets for social stigma and rejection by members of society. • Homophobia refers to a fear and dislike of lesbians and gay men and includes avoidance of anything associated with homosexuality. Social Dimensions of Homophobia • Some link the origins of homophobia to religious doctrine linked to homosexuality and to theories of psychological maladjustment. – The association between strong Christian beliefs and intolerance of homosexuality. – Others argue the rejection of homosexuality strengthened the Christian community at a time of struggle within that group (Greenberg,1988). – Religious scriptures may condemn some sexual behaviors but not all (Geis, 2009). Social Dimensions of Homophobia • Studies on homophobia have examined religious background, strength of religious identification, and political conservatism. • Another factor—homosociality—defined as the social preference, but not necessarily an erotic attraction, for one’s own gender (Britton, 1990). Social Dimensions of Homophobia • Few homosexuals view themselves as deviants; however, stigmatization from members of society result in negative effects for homosexuals such as: – Feeling guilty for their behaviors. – Fear of negative sanctions from family members, friends, and employers. – Feelings of rejection and isolation. In-Class Question 2. Laws forbidding homosexual behavior began with _________ sex codes. a) b) c) d) Jewish Christian Islamic Buddhist In-Class Question 2. Laws forbidding homosexual behavior began with _________ sex codes. a) b) c) d) Jewish Christian Islamic Buddhist Answer: A Law and Public Attitudes • Laws forbidding homosexual behavior began with Jewish sex codes. – Formalized by Christian laws that governed Europe. – These provisions became part of English common law. – Homosexual behaviors were punishable by death and 19th century, reforms reduced the maximum penalty to life imprisonment. – Many states now apply criminal sanctions only to public homosexual acts. Law and Public Attitudes • In the United States, being a homosexual is not considered a crime, but criminal prohibitions that persist apply specifically to homosexual acts, such as sodomy, fellatio, and mutual masturbation. Prevalence and Variations of Male Homosexuality • Prevalence of Homosexuality – Researchers have inadequate data when estimating the incidence, prevalence, and increases or decreases of homosexuality. • Variations of Homosexuality – There are variations in many social and behavioral characteristics of homosexuality – Short-term relationships – Long-term commitments In-Class Question 3. In regards to sexual development, the biological perspective asserts that the difference between homosexual orientation and heterosexual behaviors may be linked to brain structures. a) True b) False In-Class Question 3. In regards to sexual development, the biological perspective asserts that the difference between homosexual orientation and heterosexual behaviors may be linked to brain structures. a) True b) False Answer: A Sex-Role Socialization and Becoming a Homosexual • Biological Perspective – Studies on physical brain anatomy – Studies on DNA • Studies conducted on the biological perspective have had preliminarily and limited findings. Sex-Role Socialization and Becoming a Homosexual • Sociological Perspectives – Sexuality is a social constructed phenomenon which is learned through interactions with others. – Socialization takes place within the context of sex roles. Sex roles (sometimes called gender roles) are collections of norms that define socially accepted male and female behavior. Sex-Role Socialization and Becoming a Homosexual • Sociological Perspectives – Sexual behavior is always embedded in a web of normative constraints that set limits on acceptable objects and people. – Sexual socialization process sometimes works imperfectly, and some individuals come to derive sexual satisfaction from objects and people outside their groups’ normative structures. Sex-Role Socialization and Becoming a Homosexual • Becoming a Homosexual – Individuals develop their own sexual orientations by learning certain practices, or alternatively, by not learning to favor other alternatives. – Individuals learn concepts of masculinity and femininity as part of this sex-role socialization. Sex-Role Socialization and Becoming a Homosexual • Becoming a Homosexual – An explanation of the emergence of homosexuality and heterosexuality thus invokes three concepts: • Sex-role adoption • Sex-role preference • Sex-role identification Sex-Role Socialization and Becoming a Homosexual • Developing a Homosexual Identity – The acquisition of a gay identity is a subtle and private process that occurs at different times for different individuals. – Primary homosexual behaviors – Secondary homosexual behaviors Sex-Role Socialization and Becoming a Homosexual • The Coming Out Process – Coming out involves a public declaration of a deviant, homosexual identity (Dank,1971) and action to convey that identity to heterosexuals (Plummer, 1975). – It involves several elements: • Recognition of one’s sexual preferences • Experiences with others in sex-role socialization • A process of realizing that these elements form part of a sexual identity • Resulting behavioral commitments to a homosexual lifestyle Sex-Role Socialization and Becoming a Homosexual • Stages in Coming Out – This process involves several stages • • • • Sensitization Identity confusion Identity assumption commitment Sex-Role Socialization and Becoming a Homosexual • Homosexual Subcultures – Homosexual subcultures represent collections of norms and values. Such a subculture creates conditions that permit or condone homosexuality. – Members come to learn these norms as part of the coming out process, and exposure continues in social situations that involve other homosexuals. Sex-Role Socialization and Becoming a Homosexual • Homosexual Subcultures – The development of a homosexual community seems to depend on society’s intolerance and desire to weaken the stigma imposed by the outside society. Sex-Role Socialization and Becoming a Homosexual • Homosexual Subcultures – Miller (1992) asserted certain characteristics define conditions for the development of homosexual communities: 1. Some personal freedom and social tolerance 2. Economic independence and social mobility 3. Relatively high status for women 4. Declining power of the family and religion in defining and determining every aspect of an individual’s life Lesbianism 4. The term lesbianism comes from the name of the _______________. a) b) c) d) Roman region of Leban Greek island of Lebos Persian peninsula of Lesban None of the above Lesbianism 4. The term lesbianism comes from the name of the _______________. a) b) c) d) Roman region of Leban Greek island of Lebos Persian peninsula of Lesban None of the above Answer: B Lesbianism • Lesbians are female homosexuals. – The term lesbianism comes from the name of the Greek island of Lebos. – Greek poetess Sappho led a group of women in a network of homosexual relationships and behavior. Lesbianism • The Nature of Lesbianism – Like male homosexuals, lesbians encounter public stigma and social rejection. – Laws do not specifically prohibit sexual acts between women, and few jurisdictions ever try to apply other laws that may result in sanctions. – Lesbians exhibit fewer identifiable characteristics that male homosexuals show, so they usually become targets for adverse public opinion. Lesbianism • Becoming a Lesbian – Societal gender roles learned through social interactions. – Women drift casually into homosexuality more than men do by starting with vague romantic attachments. Lesbianism • Becoming a Lesbian – Most lesbians first recognize their homosexual feelings in late adolescence or early adulthood. – The average male homosexual tends to experience less stable relationships, whereas the lesbian pursues selective involvements. Lesbianism • Lesbian Self-Concept – Women tend to emphasize emotional rather than physical aspects of their mutual attractions. – The self-labeling process occurs through friendships which provides a crucial condition for the development of a lesbian identity. – Lesbian stereotypes – masculinity and femininity Lesbianism • Lesbian Subcultures – Homosexual subcultures act as functional networks organized to give support and a context for social relationships. – Lesbians do not immerse themselves in the homosexual world as much as males do. • Behavioral patterns of the lesbian proves less socially alienating. • Lesbians are able to mask their sexual orientation. Lesbianism • Lesbian Subcultures – Although lesbians are less likely in need for subculture support, they still experience stigma and issues of homophobia and social rejection. – The gay liberation movement has encouraged gay males to proclaim and defend their human rights, which overshadowed similar efforts by lesbians. • As a consequence, lesbians have turned to homosexual subculture to receive certain benefits. In Class Question 5. Transvestites are males who dress in clothing generally considered appropriate for the other gender. a) True b) False In Class Question 5. Transvestites are males who dress in clothing generally considered appropriate for the other gender. a) True b) False Answer: False Transvestitism • Definition: • A transvestite is someone (either a man or a woman) who dresses in clothing considered appropriate for the other gender for reasons that include sexual satisfaction (not for money, entertainment, etc). • Many regard transvestitism as deviant behavior because it promotes essentially antisocial activities. Transvestitism • Most women who cross-dress today do so for fashion rather than to gain public acceptance as men. • As a result, women who gain sexual satisfaction from cross-dressing may do so without stigma. • Most male cross-dressers today maintain secrecy and privacy, although many male transvestites are married men. AIDS and the Homosexual Community • The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome – The number of individuals worldwide with AIDS in 2008 was estimated to be 33 million (World Health Organization, 2010). – All of these people had been infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). – More than 2.1 million people died of AIDSrelated illnesses in 2007 (World Health Organization, 2007). AIDS and the Homosexual Community • The Disease and Transmission – In 1981, a disease then known as GRID (gay related immuno-deficiency) took the lives of 121 people. – The following year, the HIV was isolated, after another 447 people had died from AIDS. – Symptoms may show up years after initial exposure to the virus, and some people may not develop any symptoms. AIDS and the Homosexual Community • The Disease and Transmission – Over half of AIDS patients are men exposed to HIV through unprotected sex with other men. – An additional 25 percent are intravenous drug users who have shared needles with infected people, and 7 percent fall into both categories. – A small percentage of AIDS patients become infected through heterosexual contact, most of them males. AIDS and the Homosexual Community • The Impact of AIDS – At first, many remained unaware of this problem or classified it as a problem in certain groups. – However, societal concern grew after celebrities admitted to having contracted the disease. • Rock Hudson • Perry Ellis • “Magic” Johnson AIDS and the Homosexual Community • Political Impact – In the early days of the outbreak, AIDS maintained a reputation as a local problem largely confined to deviant groups and without much effect on the larger society. – A 1987 Gallup poll assessing public opinion indicated widespread public awareness of the AIDS problem after the death of celebrities such as Hudson. Current Controversies over Homosexuality • Same-Sex Marriages • Homosexuality as a Protected Status