1. Inequality Based on Sexual Orientation
Chapter 6
Inequality Based on Sexual Orientation

2. Sexual Orientation
Sexual Orientation: a preference for emotional-sexual relationships with others.
Homosexual (same sex)
Heterosexual (opposite sex)
Bisexual (both sexes)
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3. 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
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4. 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
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5. 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
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6. 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
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7. Discrimination due to sexual orientation
Lack of marital rights
Parental Rights
Housing Discrimination
Discrimination in Medical Care
Occupational Discrimination
Discrimination in the Military
Victimization
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8. 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
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9. 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
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10. 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
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11. 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
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12. 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
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13. 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
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14. Perspectives on Sexual Orientation
Biological:
Partially link homosexuality to genetic inheritance
Studies of identical twins support genetic explanation
Working on isolation of “gay gene”
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15. 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
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16. 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:
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17. 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
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18. 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
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19. 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
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20. 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
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