Download Choices in Relationships

Chapter 6
Same-Sex Couples and
Families
Key Terms
•
Sexual orientation
– Refers to the direction of one’s thoughts,
feelings, and sexual interactions toward
members of the same sex, the other sex,
or both sexes.
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Heterosexuality
– Heterosexuality refers to the predominance
of cognitive, emotional, and sexual
attraction to those of the other sex.
•
Homosexuality
– Homosexuality refers to the predominance
of cognitive, emotional, and sexual
attraction to those of the same sex.
•
Bisexuality
– Bisexuality involves the cognitive,
emotional, and sexual attraction to both
men and women.
•
Lesbian
– Refers to homosexual women.
•
Gay
– Can refer to homosexual women or
homosexual men.
•
Transgendered individuals
– Include not only homosexuals and
bisexuals but also cross-dressers,
transvestites, and transsexuals.
•
LGBT or GLBT
– Terms used to refer collectively to lesbians,
gays, bisexuals, and transgendered
individuals.
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Heterosexism
– The denigration and stigmatization of any
behavior, person, or relationship that is not
heterosexual.
•
Homophobia
– Refers to emotional responses toward and
aversion to homosexuals.
•
Prejudice
– Refers to negative attitudes.
•
Discrimination
– Refers to behavior that denies individuals
or groups equality of treatment.
•
Biphobia
– Used to refer to negative attitudes and
emotional responses and discriminatory
behavior toward bisexuals.
•
Defense of Marriage Act
– Act denying federal recognition of
homosexual marriage and allowing states
to ignore same-sex marriages licensed
elsewhere.