Inequality Based on Sexual Orientation Chapter 6 Inequality Based on Sexual Orientation

Sexual Orientation Sexual Orientation: a preference for emotional-sexual relationships with others. Homosexual (same sex) Heterosexual (opposite sex) Bisexual (both sexes) © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sexual Orientation Social Scientists’ criteria for identifying people as homosexual or bisexual: Sexual attraction to someone of the same sex Sexual involvement with 1 or more people of the same sex Self identification as gay or lesbian © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Prevalence of Homosexuality Hard to know how many people are homosexual No official count by U.S. Census Homophobia: excessive fear or intolerance of homosexuality Socially defined phobia, not medical classification Intensified by compulsory heterosexism © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Religion and Law Religion: Major religions of world have condemned homosexuality Buddhism is only major religion that doesn’t condemn Development of religious organizations accepting of homosexuals © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Religion and Law Law: Not a crime to be homosexual, but homosexual conduct illegal in some states Many cases involving gay rights are decided on a case by case or state by state basis © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Discrimination due to sexual orientation Lack of marital rights Parental Rights Housing Discrimination Discrimination in Medical Care Occupational Discrimination Discrimination in the Military Victimization © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Lack of Marital Rights Few states legal marriage for same sex couples Same sex couples resort to cohabitation Some cities and states give couples legal rights through domestic partnerships Defense of Marriage Act-1996 denies federal recognition of same sex marriages © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Parental Rights Approximately 6 to 14 million children have a gay or lesbian parent Couples often need legal documents to protect both partner’s rights Much discrimination for couples who try to adopt or become foster parents © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Housing and Medical Discrimination Some couples denied housing or even evicted due to sexual orientation Medical Care: Some doctors and nurses are judgmental toward homosexual persons © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Housing and Medical Discrimination May give subpar care Doctors can overlook problems when they fail to ask about sexual orientation Medical staff often feel inadequate to deal with social and psychological needs of: HIV/AIDS patients © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Occupational and Military Discrimination Workplace: Many states prohibit discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation Even with laws it still occurs Military: U.S. Military sees gays and lesbians as unfit to serve © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Victimization Hate Crime Statistics Act of 1990 Started tracking crimes based on sexual orientation Hate crimes more likely in areas where homophobic attitudes are tolerated. Half of antigay harassment and violence perpetuated by males under 22 years of age © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Perspectives on Sexual Orientation Biological: Partially link homosexuality to genetic inheritance Studies of identical twins support genetic explanation Working on isolation of “gay gene” © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Perspectives on Sexual Orientation Psychological: Associate homosexuality with mental processes and childhood experiences 1942- APA classified homosexuality as mental illness 1973-removed as classification due to no support © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Perspectives on Sexual Orientation Bem’s theory: degree of gender conforming behavior can predict future sexual orientation Interactionist: Focus on sexual orientation as learned behavior Identify stages in process of accepting gay/lesbian identity: © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Perspectives on Sexual Orientation Identity confusion: feel different from others Seek out others: engage in sexual experimentation or experience subculture Accept label: pursue life consistent with their definition of the label Functionalist: Sees homosexuality as dysfunctional © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Perspectives on Sexual Orientation Homosexuality violates social norms and undermines stability of society Conflict: Those in power set the norms Compulsory heterosexuality reflects beliefs of dominant group © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Solutions to Inequality Functionalist/Conservative: See homosexuality as dysfunctional Do not believe we should support such relationships socially or legally Conflict/Liberal: Change social structure to reduce inequality Repeal discriminatory laws; create new laws © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Solutions to Inequality Interactionist: Society should be tolerant of those going through acceptance of their sexual identity Remove legal and social barriers preventing full participation of individuals in society Activism is important © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.