CI: Sexual identities Flashcards
(34 cards)
what is Heteronormativity?
Acceptance in a culture that hetrosexual relationships are the norm and any other form of sexuality is not normal.
Heteronormativity portrays heterosexuality as a superior form of sexuality.
what is Stigmntised identity/ spoiled identity ?
an individual’s concept of themselves - the ‘self’ is based on hegemonic gender identity is likely to see gay as not ‘normal sex ‘ therefore this creates ‘Stigmntised’ or ‘spoiled identity’.
which sociologist argues about gay and lesbian people using ‘impression management’
Goffman:
notes that people will use ‘impression management’ to hide aspects of their sexuality to prevent public stigmatisation and discrimination.
name two examples from Office for National Statistics 2020 about sexual identities.
- An estimated (3.1% )of the UK population aged 16 years and over identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual
- in 2020,
an increase from 2.7% in 2019 and double the percentage from 2014(1.6%).
what is stonewall?
is a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights charity in the United Kingdom.
data from Stonewall Statistics (2018-2021):
Ø family: only half of lesbian ,gay and bi people(46%) and trans people (47%) feel able to be open about their sexual orientation or gender identity to everyone in their family.
Ø poverty: almost one in five LGBT people have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives.
Ø ethnicity: half of black ,Asian and minority ethnic LGBT people have experienced discrimination or poor treatment from others in the LGBT community due to their ethnicity.
Ø workplace: more than a third of LGBT staff have hidden that they are LGBT at work for fear of discrimination.
Ø Hate crime: two third of LGBTQ+ people had experienced anti-LGBTQ+ violent or abuse.9 in 10 had verbal abuse. 3 in 10 had experienced physical violence and 2 in 10 had experienced sexual violence.
Ø school: 42% of LGBTQ+ school pupils have been bullied in the past year.
international : 70 countries criminalise same sex relationships . the death penalty for same sex relationships are either allowed or occurs in 11 of these countries.
what are the two key statistics for sexual identities?
- Office for National Statistics 2020
- Stonewall statistics 2018-2021
what is Postmodernists’ view on sexual identities ?
think it is individual choice , freedom about sexual identity, increase in diversity is good , change in cultural attitudes , growing acceptance of all forma of sexuality.
what is Radical feminists’ view on sexual identities?
political lesvianism, sexual separateness from men , patriarchy governs sexual identities ,structural changes are needed for emancipation.
what is Liberal Feminists’ view on sexual identities?
positive steps have taken place in lesbian identity, law changes reflect the progress being made , feminisation of the economy and education is positive , improved media representation.
what is Social Constructionism?
this is a concept describes the formation of an identity through the culture of which and individual lives.
Therefore, and identity is constructed by the interactions with others in that specific culture and through the agents of socialisation . this gender .
in terms of sexuality there are two schools of thoughts:
sexuality is a….
‘product of biology’ vs
social construction’( Ann Cronin)
what are the 2 argument that support sexuality is a ‘product of biology’s view
-> belief that we are born gay, straight or bisexual
->belief that there is a ‘gay gene’
what are the 2 arguments that shows sexuality is a ‘social construction’( Ann Cronin)?
-> Cronin : argue that the idea that you are born heterosexual or homosexual grew from the 17th century when the social identity of homosexual began to emerge. However, from this time , Cronin argues that there is widespread support for the idea that sexual identities are a choice.
-> the term sexually attractive in terms of hetrosexual men changes over time and country to country.
A History of homosexuality in the UK
19th century: Homosexuality was illegal and punished by imprisonment.
1957 : the report of the departmental committee on Homosexual offences and prostitutions was punished . it advised the British Government that homosexuality shouldn’t be illegal.
in 1950-60s : change in cultural attitudes toward homosexuality . led to discriminations of homosexual acts (sexual offences Act)(only for gay men)
1989 Stonewall: in response to selection 28 legislation, actor sir Ian McKellen came out on BBC Radio 3 during a debate on the issues raised by the Bill. he co-funded Stonewall , a group renowned for its campaigning and lobbying for LGPTQ rights
in 2012 : now gay marriage is legal
Equality ACT (2010): Laws to protect against discrimination on the basis of sexuality were introduced in 1999, leading to the Equality Act 2010.
what is Taylor’s view on sexual identity in society now is like?
lesbians have a much lower social profile compared to gay men and therefore the discrimination of sexuality up until the 1960’s was based on gay men and did not include lesbians.
what is Radical Feminist’s view on sexual identity in society now is like?
many women wanted to bring about social change for women and therefore supported the Radical Feminist movement.
- This focuses on political and sexual separateness from men a necessity if they are to overcome patriarchy.
they believe political lesbianism is a way to live without men and to try to resist the discriminatory power of men.
Although they are aware that progress are made by women, they believe patriarchy still exists in society.
what is Postmodernist’s view on sexual identity in society now is like?
it’s important that whilst postmodernism may support the rise of gay movement as it signifies choice, diversity and equality, in reality structural barrier still exists such as cultural attitudes and discriminations. therefore, they believe that homosexuality still hasn’t accepted by all section of society .
what is Michel Dorais’s view on sexual identity in society now is like?
found that many gay men had attempted suicide as they struggle with their own sexual identity in a homophobic society who judged these men as effeminate(men with feminine traits) and therefore did not fit into the norms of heterosexuality.
social experience : How is an individual’s social experience affected by sexuality?
- society makes a presumption that people are hetrosexual before anything
- they are stigmatised by other members of society:
- They may be subject to discrimination or stereotyped by members of society:
result of stigmatised identity is created through discrimination in society .(Labelling theory by Becker) - the maybe subject to verbal or physical abuse:
although discrimination toward gay people is protected though law, in reality they still get discriminated . - they have different leisure activities : rise in gay subculture has lead to leisure activity targeted gay people( gay bar, gay gyms)
- Gay people have a relatively low representation and misrepresentation in the media :
what is ‘Pink pounds?
spending power of gay professionals has been targeted by gay bars, restaurant and clubs. the spending of ‘pink pounds’ are the new forms of masculinity overcome most of the stigma attached to homosexuality also this reduces feeling different and opposition between gay men and straight men.
3 key movements that have activity sought changes to the law are
- Reports-Stonewell report- actively campaigning for equal rights between homosexuals and hetrosexual.
- Demonstration- gay pride, marches ,petitions ,demonstration to heighten awareness. -increase in gay celebrities has made people to open their minds .
- LGBT Movement- fighting for equal rights .
postmodernist’s Evaluation on rise in gay subculture
whilst postmodernist may support the rise of the gay movement as it signifies choice ,diversity and equality,
BUT in reality there is still structural barriers , cultural attitudes and discrimination which is still preventing gay people to live free from prejudice.
which sociologist talks about gay men suicide rate?
-Dorias
-Dorias has found that many gay men attempted suicide as they struggled with their own sexuality in homophobic society.
Law change in sexual identities
rise of equal rights legislation, such as …..
Equality Act 2010, Civil Partnerships(2005), Gay Marriage(2014)
