“ Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Deviance 10e Chapter Ten: GAYS AND OTHER VICTIMS OF STIGMA This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; any rental, lease, or lending of the program. Alex Thio

“ Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Myths About Homosexuality Myth: gays are typically effeminate and lesbians manly Myth: gays are typically effeminate and lesbians manly Myth: gay men like to molest or seduce young children Myth: gay men like to molest or seduce young children Myth: gays and lesbians play one specific role Myth: gays and lesbians play one specific role Myth: gays cannot be expected to have a satisfactory sex life Myth: gays cannot be expected to have a satisfactory sex life Myth: gays and lesbians are obsessed with sex Myth: gays and lesbians are obsessed with sex Myth: people are either exclusively gay or completely straight Myth: people are either exclusively gay or completely straight

“ Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Gays and Lesbians gays and lesbians: refers to men and women who are exclusively homosexual gays and lesbians: refers to men and women who are exclusively homosexual Recent study: Recent study: 6% of men and 4% of women have same-sex feelings 6% of men and 4% of women have same-sex feelings 9% of men and 4% of women have ever engaged in same-sex behavior 9% of men and 4% of women have ever engaged in same-sex behavior 2.8% of men and 1.4% of women are persons with gay or lesbian self-identification 2.8% of men and 1.4% of women are persons with gay or lesbian self-identification

“ Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Gays and Lesbians – cont. Gay men are more promiscuous than heterosexual men because heterosexual society socializes men to be more promiscuous than women Gay men are more promiscuous than heterosexual men because heterosexual society socializes men to be more promiscuous than women Many homosexuals seek long-term relationships with other homosexuals Many homosexuals seek long-term relationships with other homosexuals

“ Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Gays and Lesbians – cont. Similarities between lesbians and straight women: Similarities between lesbians and straight women: less sexually open than men due to socialization less sexually open than men due to socialization less interested in sex and more interested in relationships and making friends less interested in sex and more interested in relationships and making friends have the same desire as heterosexual women to be mothers have the same desire as heterosexual women to be mothers Children born to or raised by lesbian women show no difference in sexual identity Children born to or raised by lesbian women show no difference in sexual identity

“ Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Gays and Lesbians – cont. Compared to straight women, lesbians: Compared to straight women, lesbians: are more likely to have been tomboys are more likely to have been tomboys had aversions to girls' activities had aversions to girls' activities had feelings of closeness to specific girlfriends or women had feelings of closeness to specific girlfriends or women have less knowledge of their sexual identity even when involved with another have less knowledge of their sexual identity even when involved with another

“ Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Gays and Lesbians – cont. Most homosexuals do not publicly identify themselves as homosexuals Most homosexuals do not publicly identify themselves as homosexuals “Coming out”: process of publicly identifying oneself as homosexual “Coming out”: process of publicly identifying oneself as homosexual Many young homosexuals do not privately identify themselves as being gay or lesbian, despite feelings toward the same sex Many young homosexuals do not privately identify themselves as being gay or lesbian, despite feelings toward the same sex

“ Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Gays and Lesbians – cont. Lesbians/gays encounter the same prejudice and discrimination as other minorities Lesbians/gays encounter the same prejudice and discrimination as other minorities Many parents of homosexuals are not always supportive of their children Many parents of homosexuals are not always supportive of their children Grandparents tend to be more accepting of a child's homosexuality Grandparents tend to be more accepting of a child's homosexuality

“ Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Gays and Lesbians – cont. Gay dating is easier in the larger cities because more gays live there Gay dating is easier in the larger cities because more gays live there Marriages among gays are recognized only in some states Marriages among gays are recognized only in some states Gays/lesbians are more likely to be Democrats Gays/lesbians are more likely to be Democrats Gays/lesbians are generally better educated than straights Gays/lesbians are generally better educated than straights Gay youth have higher suicide rates Gay youth have higher suicide rates An increasing number of churches/synagogues support homosexuals An increasing number of churches/synagogues support homosexuals

“ Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Theories of Homosexuality Biological theories: Biological theories: 1. lack of certain sex hormones 2. genetics 3. brain structure All of these theories are open to criticism All of these theories are open to criticism

“ Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Theories of Homosexuality – cont. Psychiatrists used to assume homosexuality was a form of mental illness (theory disproved) Psychiatrists used to assume homosexuality was a form of mental illness (theory disproved) To sociologists, even if a biological predisposition exists, certain social forces subtly guide individuals into homosexuality To sociologists, even if a biological predisposition exists, certain social forces subtly guide individuals into homosexuality

“ Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Same-Sex Practices Among Straights and Bisexuals Kinsey: sexual orientation is a matter of degree; some are more or less heterosexual or homosexual than others Kinsey: sexual orientation is a matter of degree; some are more or less heterosexual or homosexual than others Kinsey suggested that many straights are not exclusively heterosexual and some engage in homosexuality Kinsey suggested that many straights are not exclusively heterosexual and some engage in homosexuality

“ Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Figure 10.1 Kinsey Continuum

“ Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Same-Sex Practices Among Straights and Bisexuals – cont. Trades: males have sexual feelings that are predominantly heterosexual but seek homosexual experience as a means of releasing tension Trades: males have sexual feelings that are predominantly heterosexual but seek homosexual experience as a means of releasing tension Heterosexual prostitutes often engage in homosexual sex for money Heterosexual prostitutes often engage in homosexual sex for money Situational homosexuals: engage in homosexual acts where the opportunity presents itself, such as in prison Situational homosexuals: engage in homosexual acts where the opportunity presents itself, such as in prison Bisexuals: men and women who can be equally heterosexual or homosexual Bisexuals: men and women who can be equally heterosexual or homosexual

“ Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Homophobia Homophobia: antigay prejudice and discrimination Homophobia: antigay prejudice and discrimination The majority of Americans still do not approve of gay marriage or of homosexuals raising children The majority of Americans still do not approve of gay marriage or of homosexuals raising children Persons who are conservative, less educated, and older tend to be more homophobic Persons who are conservative, less educated, and older tend to be more homophobic

“ Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Homophobia – cont. Social problems: no legal form of marriage, denial of health and other insurance, problems in school, and other kinds of prejudice and discrimination Social problems: no legal form of marriage, denial of health and other insurance, problems in school, and other kinds of prejudice and discrimination Psychological problems: self-hatred, depression, and constant tension Psychological problems: self-hatred, depression, and constant tension Gays and lesbians in the U.S. have been fighting for equal rights for over 50 years Gays and lesbians in the U.S. have been fighting for equal rights for over 50 years

“ Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Global Perspective: Homophobia The problem of homophobia is greater in some other, less affluent societies The problem of homophobia is greater in some other, less affluent societies Arrests, isolation and torture are all common plights of homosexuals abroad Arrests, isolation and torture are all common plights of homosexuals abroad

“ Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Other Victims of Social Stigma Transgenderists: people having characteristics of both sexes; includes: Transgenderists: people having characteristics of both sexes; includes: Transsexuals - persons who belong to one sex but identify more strongly with the other Transsexuals - persons who belong to one sex but identify more strongly with the other Intersexuals /hermaphrodites- persons with both sets of sexual organs Intersexuals /hermaphrodites- persons with both sets of sexual organs Transvestites - cross-dressers who wear clothes of the opposite sex Transvestites - cross-dressers who wear clothes of the opposite sex

“ Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Other Victims of Social Stigma – cont. There are many members of society who face stigma for non-sexual traits, for example… There are many members of society who face stigma for non-sexual traits, for example… Obesity Obesity Physical disability Physical disability Even tattoos Even tattoos