Heterosexism Transforming Homosexuality from Deviant to Different KSP603 Diane Spence

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Historical evidence of homosexuality Ancient Greeks wrote about love between men Band of Thebes Fighting unit comprised of 150 pairs of male lovers Pledged to defend each other unto death Part of the defeat of Sparta at the battle of Thebes. Sparta had 10,000 warriors, they were part of 6,000 Alexander the Great was known to have male lovers “Greek love” – term for homosexual behavior in English boarding schools of the 19th century Various Native American tribes not only acknowledged homosexual orientation, but thought those that were held both the power of the female and male. Evidence of persecution of homosexuals during the Inquisition The term “homosexual” was not used until the 1800’s by Dr. Karl Ulrich

Types of heterosexism Cultural heterosexim Individual heterosexism Institutional heterosexism

Cultural heterosexism Definition: A dominant culture defining heterosexuality as the norm and anything else as deviant Part of cultural heterosexism is the “heterosexual assumption”: that all people are born attracted to the opposite sex; it is the “normal” condition

Kinsey Report Study ran from 1938 – 1956 Funded by the Rockefeller Foundation and Indiana University Conducted by Dr. Alfred Kinsey, a zoologist Study of human sexual behavior Found sexual orientation to be a continuum and that only 10% were exclusively heterosexual or homosexual. Most were bisexual This was when science first began seeing different sexual orientations as non-deviant.

Dr Evelyn Hooker Administered three tests to 30 heterosexual men and 30 homosexual men in 1958 Rorschach Thematic Apperception Make a Picture Story Independent panel analyzed data. Found no differences between results of homosexual and heterosexual response. Indicated NO inherent pathology in homosexuals Took until 1976 for The American Psychiatry Association to remove homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses

Individual heterosexism Definition: Negative attitudes and behaviors based on the belief that sexual orientations other than heterosexual are unnatural. Leads to abuse of gays and lesbians 75% have reported verbal abuse 50% have reported physical threats 20% have be physically assaulted Homophobia: the fear and hatred of homosexuals

Common misconceptions Anyone who has ever engaged in homosexual acts is gay Homosexuals tend to engage in criminal activity and especially like to prey on children Homosexuals attempt to seduce vulnerable adolescents and recruit them into their lifestyle Homosexuals don’t have loving relationships, are only interested in sex, and are promiscuous People become homosexual because they had a bad experience with heterosexual sex, and they could be “cured” if they had a good experience with heterosexual sex Close, personal relationships between adults and adolescents of the same sex can stimulate homosexual behavior Source: Understanding Human Diversity

Anyone who has ever engaged in homosexual acts is gay There are instances when heterosexual individuals confined to same-sex environments have same-sex sexual encounters. Some people experiment.

Homosexuals tend to engage in criminal activity and especially like to prey on children Studies show that crime rates are about the same for heterosexuals and homosexuals Studies of child molesters have shown: 99% are male 80% are white, male heterosexuals who are either married or have been married. Pedophiles are usually incapable of appropriate sexual behavior and their sickness is apart from heterosexuality or homosexuality.

Homosexuals attempt to seduce vulnerable adolescents and recruit them into their lifestyle (adults prey on adolescents) If adolescents engage in homosexual activity, it is most often with other adolescents, not with adults. Fear of being “recruited” is often the root of “gay bashing” which is an assault on a person perceived as being gay. Source: Understanding Human Diversity

Homosexuals don’t have loving relationships, are only interested in sex, and are promiscuous This is often the appearance because gays have had no historical right to marriage or domestic partnership. Society has created the condition Hypocritical because 2/3 of all marriages end in divorce. Source: textbook

People become homosexual because they had a bad experience with heterosexual sex, and they could be “cured” if they had a good experience with heterosexual sex Many homosexuals have lived heterosexual lives with spouses and children. This didn’t change their inherent orientation. Because of societal taboos, many homosexuals have chosen chastity. This doesn’t change their orientation either.

Close, personal relationships between adults and adolescents of the same sex can stimulate homosexual behavior Many cultures accept close, loving relationships as normal, with no sexual implications. This assumption makes homosexuals true outsiders; they are discouraged from their orientation, and if they admit it, they risk losing their heterosexual friends.

Institutional Heterosexism Definition: Established laws, customs and practices that systematically discriminate against homosexuals. Study by Van Den Burgh in 2003 reported that 1/3 of gay men and ¼ of lesbians were discriminated against at work. 17% reported being fired or denied a job because of orientation Closeted gay men and lesbians also experience discrimination Privacy about personal life excludes them from social interaction, impacting promotions Compensation includes benefits, there are none for domestic partners Defining marriage as between one man and one woman, by law, discriminates against a class of people Military policy excluded gays and lesbians from serving

Domestic Partnership Definition: an intimate, committed relationship between two individuals of legal age who are financially and emotionally independent, share the same residence, and intend to remain together. Could provide gay and lesbian partners equal rights Inheritance Survivor benefits Rights to make legal decisions if partner is incapacitated

How Homophobia Hurts Children Dr Jean M Baker, PhD

School harassment 50% heard at least one teacher make a homophobic comment 89% heard remarks from fellow students 49% were threatened 39% saw anti-gay graffiti 11% were assaulted

Adult homophobic attitudes School administrators ignore their homosexual students, and the taunting that occurs  Politicians try to enact legislation to deny gays civil rights under the guise "family values" Some churches condemn it as a sin Homosexual children hear anti-gay rhetoric in school, at home, in the news and even in church Unlike parents of children from other minority groups, parents of homosexual children are almost never homosexual, thus they lack the common life-experiences that their children will have.

How schools are part of the problem School is sometimes the last resort for the gay child who feels hatred at home and at church.  It is the last chance to influence how they will view themselves Few schools recognize and address the problems unique to the gay student Few have policies that help them feel safe. Schools often choose to ignore homosexuality, rather than taking steps to protect them Harassed students, fearful of revealing their orientation, often don't report abuse or harassment.

Developmental stages that impact homosexual children Elementary age The major development task of school-age children is to move beyond play and establish and maintain peer relationships. They also begin to develop a sense of competence If this doesn't develop adequately, they will reach adolescence with a feeling of inferiority and shame Adolescent age They must develop a sense of personal identity. Shame and embarrassment about one's orientation can lead to confusion about one's role in life. The adolescent goal is to be accepted by their peers Gay students often can't participate in dating because of the taboo around it.  Along with the need to hide their secret, they are often isolated.

What schools can do Sex education should include safe homosexual sex as well as safe heterosexual sex Schools should support Gay/Straight Alliance groups Teachers should attend sensitivity training to help them understand issues homosexual students face Have tolerance classes taught by a respected teacher Administrators and teachers simply must act to stop the harassment Provide classroom discussion time to address sexual orientation Express openly to all students that homosexuality is normal....not deviant behavior

What individual teachers can do Stop derogatory remarks and harassment Allow the topic to be discussed Be a Model

Stop derogatory remarks and harassment Tell students in your class that antigay comments or jokes are unacceptable in your room.  Point out antidiscrimination policies, if they exist If possible, discuss the impact of ridicule with students. Emphasize the value of respect, and a zero-tolerance policy toward name-calling Confront anti-gay comments among staff members Help identify and support those students who are harassed and isolated.

Allow topic to be discussed Be armed with facts to respond to stereotypes Use examples of accomplished gay/lesbian/bisexual writers, actors, athletes, etc (Billy Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Walt Whitman, Rock Hudson, Gertrude Stein, Allen Ginsberg)

Be a model Include Gay and Lesbian issues in your curricula Discuss topics as relevant to your course Assign readings to class list, or for class presentations Ask outside speakers to address class Be aware of materials and resources Be sensitive to language (use parents, rather than father and mother, use non-gender-specific language)

How administration and school boards can help Make sure antidiscrimination policies include sexual orientation Educate themselves on the issues surrounding sexual orientation and policy If the harassment is ignored by administration, it will be seen as a stamp of approval Start a gay/lesbian support group (or gay/straight alliance)