1. Scores on exam 2
q’s 3 B or C, 17 B or C, 89 C or D, 91 A or B, 100, any

2. Bio 27 October 29th Chapter 9: Sexual Orientation
RuPaul is gay
SHY PEOPLE’S DAY

3. Some terminology
Heterosexual: also known as “straight.” Attraction is to other-sex partners
Homosexual: also known as “lesbian” for women and “gay” for men. Attraction is to same sex partners
Bisexual: attraction is to both sexes
Asexual: lack of attraction to either sex

4. Sexual orientation exists as a continuum
Kinsey’s Continuum of Sexual Orientation (1948)
Numbers between 1 and 5 indicate bisexuality according to Kinsey
Incidentally homosexual: some sort of same sex experience

5. Asexuality
Not part of Kinsey’s scale, although he acknowledged its existence
Different from celibacy in that asexuality is innate, whereas celibacy is a choice
About 1% of the population is believed to be asexual
73% of asexuals have never had intercourse
80% of asexual makes and 77% of asexual females do masturbate
Most do not feel distressed about their asexuality
Usually lifelong

6. Bisexuality
No consensus about what makes an individual bisexual (or gay or lesbian)
Many people have same-sex sexual fantasies or experiences, but identify as heterosexual rather than bisexual
Women who identify as heterosexual are 27 times more likely than heterosexual men to express moderate or more same sex attraction
Many people dismiss bisexual men as gay

7. Study showed males and females of different sexual orientations videos of bonobos mating and masturbating and measured sexual arousal
Gay and straight women experienced arousal from both gay and straight videos but only reported arousal consistent with sexual orientation
Arousal in males was more consistent with sexual orientation

8. Sexual Fluidity
Some people change their sexual orientation at different times in their lives
More common among women; this may be influenced by the greater social stigma against male homosexuality
Believed to have a biological basis

9. What Determines Sexual Orientation? Psychosocial Hypotheses
Focus on role of life experiences, parenting patterns, or psychological attributes of individual
Theories:
The “By Default” Theory: homosexuality is chosen by people who have negative experiences with the opposite sex; not supported by data
The Seduction Myth: homosexuality is caused by homosexual experience with an older person; in actuality, most gays have their first sexual experiences with someone of a similar age
Freud’s Theory: poor relationship with father or overly close relationship with mother can lead to male homosexuality; not supported by data
Boy scouts actually founded to prevent homosexuality!

10. What Determines Sexual Orientation? Biological Hypotheses
Genetic factors
Homosexuality is heritable
Identical twin studies show this
Patterns of finger length suggest that prenatal testosterone exposure may contribute to male homosexuality
Gay men also much more likely to be left-handed and have more older brothers
Implications if biology is destiny
May lead to greater acceptance
75% of gays and 49% of the general population currently say they think homosexuality is innate
Males: have longer ring fingers than index fingers, females similar, gay men hyper-male; a

11. Societal attitudes towards homosexuality

12. Societal attitudes have changed
Before 1900s: homosexual behavior is sinful
Early 1900s: homosexuality is a mental illness
Lobotomy, castration, drugs, and shock treatments have been used as “cures”
1974 APA removed homosexuality from list of mental disorders
No differences in psychological adjustment across sexual orientation
“Conversion” therapy does not work but gay affirmative therapy is helpful
“Gay cures” will be illegal in CA as of January 1, 2013!

13. Homophobia
Homophobia: Anti-homosexual attitudes, irrational fear of homosexual people, or loathing of homosexual tendencies in oneself
Homophobes more likely to respond sexually to homosexual imagery
T. Haggard resigned in 2006 after revealed he had a 3 yr long relationship with a male prostitute; fought against same-sex marriage in CO,

14. Hate Crimes
Hate Crimes Laws provide more severe penalties for crimes motivated by race, color, national origin, religion, or, as of 2009, sexual orientation
Prior to 2009, many states either had no hate crime laws or had hate crime laws that did not include sexual orientation
Larry Craig opposed adding sexual orientation to hate crimes law

15. Causes of Homophobia and Hate Crimes
Lack of acceptance and valuing
Traditional gender role stereotypes
Extreme manifestation of cultural norms
Threatened by challenges to traditional gender roles
Denial of homosexual feelings

16. High profile anti-gay hate crimes
Brandon Teena, a 21-year-old transgendered man, was sexually assaulted and murdered in 1993 (subject of the movie Boys Don’t Cry)
Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old gay college student was beaten and tied to a fence on a cold night where he was left to die in 1998 (subject of the movie The Laramie Project)
Barry Winchell, a 21-year-old male soldier, was murdered by a fellow soldier in 1999 because he was dating a transgendered woman (subject of the movie Soldier’s Girl)
Gwen Araujo, a 17-year-old transgendered girl, was murdered by four men in Newark in She had had sex with two of the men, and their lawyers tried the “gay panic” defense

17. Sexual Minorities and the Media: changing attitudes
Philadelphia in 1993 the first major Hollywood film to examine the topic of homophobia
Gay characters are now common in TV shows and movies
BUT many actors still do not feel like they can “come out” as gay
Portrayal of gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals as “regular folks” has contributed to acceptance
Risky for Tom Hanks to play gay!

18. Coming Out and Disclosure
Self-acknowledgement is the first step
Self-acceptance is next
Disclosure
“Passing” as straight has risks and benefits
Telling family can be difficult
Some may be disowned
Involvement in the LGBT community
Individuals who are both sexual and racial minorities are less likely to come out and more likely to face alienation if they do
“On the DL”
Black community higher religiosity

19. Same-Sex Relationships
Similar challenges and concerns as with heterosexual couples
More egalitarian than other-sex relationships
Differences:
Gay couples found to use more humor and affection during disagreements
More likely to remain positive after a disagreement
Displayed less domineering behavior with one another
Wanda Sykes & wife & twins in 2009

20. Gay & Lesbian family life
33% of lesbian couples and 22% of gay male couples are raising children
Some are children from previous relationships
Some are born through assisted fertility techniques
Some are adopted (laws on gay adoption vary)
Study found that children of lesbian mothers have no difference in general development, self-esteem, gender role issues or sexual orientation
American Academy of Pediatrics has endorsed gay adoption

21. Gay Rights Movement Began in 1969 with the Stonewall Rebellion Goals:
Decriminalization of private sexual behavior
Texas sodomy law overturned in 2003
Legal protection from discrimination
Still no federal law against employment discrimination, although many companies have policies and states have laws
Military “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
Legal protection for same-sex families
Health care
Marriage
Adoption
Pink triangles

22. There is still much progress to be made
No federal protection against workplace discrimination
No federal guarantee of hospital visitation for partners
No federal right to marry or adopt

23. “Sexual orientation is a choice.”
How strongly do you agree or disagree with this statement? Support your answer using specific evidence.