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Chapter 9
Sexual Orientations
A Continuum of Sexual Orientations
• Primary erotic, psychological, emotional, and
social orientation
– Homosexual
• Orientation toward same sex
• Gay men and lesbians
– Bisexual
• Orientation toward both same and other sex
– Heterosexual
• Orientation toward other sex
– Asexual
• No sexual attraction toward either sex
Age at First Same-Sex Attraction
Kinsey’s 7-point Continuum
• 0 = exclusive contact with and erotic attraction to
the other sex
• 7 = exclusive contact with and erotic attraction to
the same sex
• Men are more likely to be found on far ends of
scale
• Women who identify as heterosexual are 27
times more likely than heterosexual men to
express moderate or more same sex attraction
Kinsey’s Scale
Bisexuality
• More women identify as bisexual than men
• Rates of bisexuality have tripled in past decade
• Types of bisexuality
– Real orientation
– Transitory orientation
– Homosexual denial
Sexual Fluidity
• Variability in attraction at various times and
situations
• For women
– Sexual fluidity is more common
• For men
– Sexual fluidity is much less common
What Determines Sexual Orientation?
Psychosocial Theories
• Focus on role of life experiences, parenting
patterns, or psychological attributes of individual
• Attempt to explain the “cause” of homosexuality
• Theories
– “By Default” Theory
– The Seduction Myth
– Freud’s Theory
• Parenting patterns or early childhood experiences; no
research to support
What Determines Sexual Orientation?
Biological Theories
• Focus on biological causes for sexual orientation
• Genetic factors
– Homosexuality as familial
– Identical twin studies
– Homosexuality and gender nonconformity
• Implications if biology is destiny
– May lead to greater acceptance
– Genetic engineering, tolerance for “defective”
orientation, and intolerance for choices
Societal Attitudes
• Cross-cultural attitudes vary greatly
• Judeo-Christian attitudes have varied
Societal Attitudes
• Shift from sinner to sickness: early 1900s
– 1974 APA removed homosexuality from list of mental
disorders
– No differences in psychological adjustment across
sexual orientation
– Sexual reorientation therapy does not work but gay
affirmative therapy is helpful
Homophobia
• Anti-homosexual attitudes
• Irrational fear or self-loathing
• May legitimize hate crimes directed toward
sexual minorities
• Hate Crimes Laws
Causes of Homophobia and Hate Crimes
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Lack of acceptance and valuing
Traditional gender role stereotypes
Extreme manifestation of cultural norms
Denial of homosexual feelings
States With No Hate Crime Laws
Sexual Minorities and the Media
• Effects of increasing exposure
• Portrayal of gay, lesbian, and bisexual
individuals as “regular folks”
• Individuals cannot determine sexual orientation
of individual shown on a video
Lifestyles
• “Gay Lifestyle” may focus on sexual aspects
between same-sex partners
• “Lifestyles” of LGB individuals are as varied as
those of heterosexuals – representing all social
classes, occupations, races, religions, and
political persuasions
Coming Out and Disclosure
• Coming Out
– Several steps involved
– Self-acknowledgement
– Self-acceptance
• Disclosure
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Passing: risks and benefits
Telling family can be difficult
Involvement in the LGBT community
Double minority
• Individuals who are both sexual and racial minorities
Same-Sex Relationships
• Similarities with heterosexual couples
• More egalitarian than other-sex relationships
• Sex Differences
– Lesbians more likely than gay men to be
monogamous and value emotional intimacy
Family Life
• Variations
– Same-sex couple
– Same-sex couple with children
– Single individual with children
• Same-Sex Parenting
– Adoption laws
– Children of LGB parents do not differ from those of
heterosexual parents
Gay Rights Movement
• Began in 1969 with Stonewall Rebellion
• Goals
– Decriminalization of private sexual behavior
– Legal protection from discrimination
– Legal protection for same-sex families
• Health care
• Marriage
• Adoption