...The article, “It Ain’t Easy Being Bisexual On T.V”, brings some interesting information to the argument of gay and bisexual characters on television. Zimmerman is potent in her argument with her uses of television examples as well as appeals to pathos that further convince her spectators on how cliché and superficial the bisexual characters are portrayed. The writer also believes that bisexuality should be represented through pop culture more often and more accurately because it would educate people and inspire others who can relate to being themselves. In the beginning of the article, the author seemed to be perturbed and disliked how bisexuals were being stereotyped, “Unfortunately, the television and film industries aren’t going out of their...
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...number of groups, including those who transgress heterosexual norms, religious textual passages * Religious textual passages have been used to justify the construction and maintenance of the institution of slavery, the persecution and murder of Jews, male domination over and denial of rights of women, adult domination and persecution of young people, denial of rights, gender non-conformity Medical model supports for heterosexuality * Medical and psychological professions have often proposed and addressed, in starkly medical language, the alleged “deficiencies” of, for example, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, as well as peoples of color, people who are differently-abled, youth and elders. * Homosexuality and bisexuality are not with the sexual identity perse, not with who we are, but rather with the ways we are socially constructed and treated * Rather than projecting ourselves through the “medical model” as deficient,...
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...How academic journals are related to each other McCann et al (2009) explore the notion that Australian heterosexual males attitudes and behaviors are greatly altered due to an inherent trepidation of being observed through societal constructs as gay. This trait tends to be seen from early teens to initial adulthood with single-sex settings heightening notions that in order to be a successful male one must distance themself from the alternate trait, concurrently exemplifying society’s utopian standard of masculinity. However once these ideas that shaped males were broken down there followed a process of greater acceptance towards difference and discarding of homophobia. Anderson and Adams (2011) explicitly and objectively refer to McCann et al (2009) and the contact theory. Anderson and Adams (2011) expand the contact theory delineating that ‘contact with gay men leads to acceptance of bi-men, as well’ (Anderson and Adams, 2011: 10) While this may be valid, it does not accurately reflect the findings of McCann et al (2009) who does not refer to ‘bi- men’. Further despite both journals conclusions vehemently relating, for example both articles recognize the importance of team sport in creating homophobia, McCann et al (2009) findings are only referred to once and are not discussed in a real substantive way, more used as a stepping stone for Anderson to add validity to his own argument. Additionally Hetzel (2011) accurately represents the content that was concluded...
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...the publication of original peer-reviewed state-of-the-art empirical research on sexuality, theoretical and methodological discussions, and the implications of this evidence for policies across the globe regarding sexual health, sexuality education, and sexual rights in diverse communities. This multidisciplinary journal also publishes brief research and conference reports; white papers; book, film, and other reviews; together with guest editorials and commentaries. In addition, Sexuality Research occasionally publishes special issues on timely topics. There are evolutionary psychologists who had argued that same-sex attraction does not have adaptive value because it has no association with potential reproductive success. Instead, bisexuality can be due to normal variation in brain plasticity. In the past few years, it has been suggested that same-sex alliances may have helped males climb the social hierarchy giving access to females and reproductive opportunities. Same-sex allies could have helped females to move to the safer and resource richer center of the group, which increased their chances of raising their offspring successfully. Driscoll (2002) stated that homosexual and bisexual behavior is quite common in several species and that it fosters bonding: "The more homosexuality, the more peaceful the species". The article also stated: "Unlike most humans, however, individual animals generally cannot be classified as gay or straight: an animal that engages in a same-sex...
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...a continuum that ranges from exclusive heterosexuality to exclusive homosexuality and includes various forms of bisexuality. According to the Equality Human Rights Commission, most people are generally attracted to people of the same sex, opposite sex or both sexes. Same-sex attraction is called homosexuality. Homosexual men are called “gay” whereas women are called “lesbian”. Opposite sex attraction is called heterosexuality. People who are heterosexual are labelled “straight” while a person having attraction to both sexes is called “bisexual”, occasionally just “bi” to describe people who are attracted to both sexes. The theory of Sigmund Freud and William Fliess expounds that all humans are born bisexual but through psychological development (which includes both external and internal factors) most become monosexual while the bisexuality remains in a latent state – they refer this innate bisexuality. In his Three Contributions to the Theory of Sex (1920), Freud discusses the concept of inversion with respect to its biological predisposition to homosexuality or bisexuality. The conclusions that he draws are based on the fact that at early stages of development, human undergo a period of hermaphrodism. Based on this, he asserts that, “the conception which we gather from this longs known anatomical fact is the original predisposition to bisexuality, which in the course of development has changed to monosexuality, leaving slight remnants of the stunned sex.” ...
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...rings. These rings represent how important the money is for them. Dorothy’s ring is smaller than the Lorelei’s. This is because money is not that important for Dorothy. Since they get what they want, they seem quite happy. This shot also demonstrates that the two women are still together. The last scene of the movie illustrates that the relationship between Lorelei and Dorothy is so strong that they even arrange a double wedding. This connection between the two makes a part of the audience think whether they are bisexual or not. I claim that this movie contains many bisexual visuals. The shot that shows Lorelei and Dorothy in the wedding dress together as if they are a couple is a good example. In the article, “Everyone’s Here for Love: Bisexuality and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”, Doty states that the film is in some aspects shows as if Lorelei and Dorothy are getting married with each other (149). “The film even comes close to representing a women-women wedding by eliminating the words of the minister and closing in for that the final two-shot of the women looking at their rings and then each other (149). I think the main target of this film is to demonstrate the relationship between the two women and attract the audience emphasizing on Dorothy and Lorelei’s sexuality. “… Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is all about keeping Dorothy and Lorelei ‘s relationship front and center even they find men” (136). Therefore, the movie can be regarded as a bisexual movie in some...
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...Reporter: Mylane Dela Rama Topic: Sexual Orientation could be Socially Determined Sexual Orientation -is a term frequently used to describe a person’s romantic, emotional or sexual attraction to another person Kinds of Sexual Orientation: Heterosexuality Homosexuality Bisexuality Asexuality THEORIES * SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY (Albert Bandura) Social learning theory focuses on the learning that occurs within a social context. It considers that people learn from one another, including such concepts as observational learning, imitation, and modeling Assumptions: 1. People are social beings; they react to the environment or respond to stimuli in the environment 2. The idea of an existing innate sex drive is superfluous since trait or trait-like behaviour is created in conjunction with environmental stimuli 3. Social behaviour can occur without external reinforcement; individual cognitions mediate the cues from the environment. * LABELING THEORY (Social Reaction Theory) Labeling theory is concerned with how the self-identity and behaviour of an individual is influenced (or created) by how that individual is categorized and described by others in their society Assumptions: 1. Labels applied to individuals influence their behaviour, particularly the application of negative or stigmatizing labels (such as "gay") promote deviant behaviour becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy References: http://www.taeterinnen.org/en/04_constructivist...
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...This Week in Sex: Bisexual Men Have Unique Needs, Casual Sex Is Good for Some, Later Childbirth Linked to Longer Life by Martha Kempner June 27, 2014 - 11:50 am A new study suggests that reactions to casual sex are mostly about the individuals who are having it and how authentic they are being to their own sexual mores. (Couple in bed via Shutterstock) This Week in Sex is a weekly summary of news and research related to sexual behavior, sexuality education, contraception, STIs, and more. The Public Health Community and the Needs of Bisexual Men A new study in the Journal of Preventative Medicine argues that the public health community has not paid enough attention to the unique needs of bisexual men. In Beyond the Bisexual Bridge, author William Jeffries suggests that men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) are often seen as transmitters of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, and, more to the point, as the way in which certain diseases or epidemics jump from gay men to heterosexuals of both sexes. By looking at them as disease vectors and not a population with their own sexual health issues, however, Jeffries believes that we are making bisexual men more vulnerable to STIs. Only about 2 percent of the male population identifies as MSMW but, according to the study, their sexual health needs and experiences are different from those of heterosexual or straight men. They are more likely to have early sexual debut, forced sexual encounters, and sex in...
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...The Dramaturgical Process as a Mechanism for Identity Development of LGBTQ Youth and Its Relationship to Detypification -Erica Rosenfeld Halverson According to Erica Halverson, “youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) construct and present complex identities by using a method known as the dramaturgical process”(Halverson, 635). The dramaturgical process consists of the telling, adapting, and performing of personal stories. This study involved the About Face Youth Theatre (AFYT), a Chicago based organization that works with LGBTQ youth on the dramaturgical process. The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between the dramaturgical process and the psychosocial process of identity development. There were forty different youth who participated in the 2003 season of AFYT, ranging in age from thirteen to twenty, and with different ethnic backgrounds. This study mainly focused on eight of those participants. Of these eight, four were female, three were male, and one was transgender, all with varying ages. The independent variables of this study was the sexual orientation of the participants and the participants’ views on how they wanted to be represented in front of an audience. The dependent variables were the scripted scenes that would be performed by the group for a public audience. The main findings in this study was that the use of personal stories allows youth to engage in the change events described...
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...Social Understanding of Homosexuality, Sex, and Gender Journal 2 Kaitlyn Ricketts Smallwood S102 9 October 2012 Ricketts 1 Sexism is defined as, “A system of advantages that serves to privilege men, subordinate women, denigrate women – identified values and practices, enforce male dominance and control and reinforce forms of masculinity that are dehumanizing and damaging to men” (Blood, Tuttle, & Lakey, 1983). It is just another form of discrimination towards those who are underprivileged according to the dominant race, “white men.” According to Warren J. Blumenfeld (2010), the oppression towards women is an individual belief that consists of ideas that are enforced by today’s society. Sexism is a cruel view on the women who provide children and nurturing; women have proven over the years to be just as successful, smart, and athletic and men. There should be no borderline between men and women, such as the gender colors of pink and blue, or the stereotype of how men are fearless and women are emotional. Heterosexism is, “the overarching system of advantages bestowed on heterosexuals, based on the institutionalization of heterosexual norms or standards that privilege heterosexuals and heterosexuality, and exclude the needs, concerns, cultures, and life experiences of lesbians, gay males, and bisexuals” (Warren J. Blumenfeld, 2010). People tend to divide the society into the specific norms of sex and gender categories. In this way, the one’s who abide by society’s...
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...attempts such as quotas or affirmative action have been used to benefit those believed to be current or past victims of discrimination but have sometimes been called reverse discrimination themselves. Inequality in the workplace is any form of bias or discrimination that takes place in a work environment and is established, promoted, or allowed to persist by the workplace authority. It is common for a workplace to have inequalities based on gender, race, and social class. There is usually a hierarchy that exists in the workplace in which managers, leaders and executives are paid higher wages and have more authority and prestige than those below them. One’s sexual orientation is a “predilection for homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality”. Like most minority groups, homosexuals and bisexuals are not immune to prejudice and discrimination from the majority group. They may experience hatred from others because of their sexual preferences; a term for such hatred based upon one’s sexual...
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...with another. Some men are more feminine than other men. Sexual orientation indicates his sexual attractions and desire, that’s person’s sexual attraction to other type people of the same as his is. Sex, gender, sexual orientations are interconnected. What is more important for purposes of the title 7 that courts often forcefully draw line between them. In the end sex and gender are protected by title 7, however sexual orientation is not. “Sexual orientation claims arises when an employee suffers discrimination solely on accounts of his or her sexual orientation. Law currently stands; sexual orientation claims are not actionable under title 7. This is true regardless of whether the claim is based on homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality” (Northwestern Universality Law Review, Title 7). John Smith and Joseph Oncale had almost the same issues when they both were harassed and discriminated at their work places. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, verbal or physical conduct of any sexual nature represent sexual harassments. “When the workplace is permeated with discriminatory intimidation, ridicule, and insult that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the victim’s employment and created an abusive working environment” (Harris v Forklift case study). Smith was insulted and discriminated at the work. Based work place and environment no one will perform the best of their ability under constant abuse. In Oncale v Sundowner Offshore...
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...people with sexual orientation towards people of the same sex; gays for males and lesbians for females. Bisexuals are those that are attracted to both men and women. In these definitions, it is important to underscore the fact that lesbians and gay people often have bisexual dispositions. Transgender persons are also victims of discrimination. These are people who are born with complete physical characteristics and features of one sex, but often feel emotional and psychological belonging to the opposite sex. As such a male feels and acts like a female, and vice versa. Many people, including those with sufficient understanding in psychological and social issues argue that trans sexuality is the root cause of homosexuality and bisexuality Morrow et al 19). Many studies in homosexuality associate the state of trans gender to complex emotions and instincts that cross over to attraction to members of the same sex. There are other claims that it is an effect of socialization, this one is not naturally born into it. Trans sexual have often come under discrimination in learning institutions, workplaces and social places. They have been branded as people with a confused sexual identity. Collectively, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender are often abbreviated as LGBT (Badgett 44). Sexual activity is mainly based on one`s preferences and instincts. In this sense, a person might be attracted to members of the opposite...
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...“Down Low”: Homosexuals in the African American Community: Why is it a Taboo Topic? Danielle Carter Senior Seminar HSU 498 Professor Hogan March 25, 2010 Abstract The phenomenon known as the “Down Low” among African American Men who have sex with Men has caused much concern among black community leaders, the general population, and not to mention HIV/AIDS researchers. There are questions which are not being addressed regarding communication patterns of stigmatized groups specifically the “Down Low” group. Why is there little research about the “Down Low”, when there is more than half AAMSM in this world? This paper will explain why so many African American men are on the “Down Low,” why there is a lack of communication when it comes to speaking about the “Down Low. This paper will also help Human Service workers learn how to help AAMSM and their families. “Down Low”: Homosexuals in the African American Community A Review of the Literature Today, while there are men who are openly gay, it seems that the majority of those having sex with men still lead secret lives, products of a black culture that deems masculinity and fatherhood as a black man's primary responsibility (Roscoe, 2008). The “Down Low” culture has grown in recent years out of the shadows and developed its own contemporary institutions for those who know where to look for example...
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...Homosexuality: A Case of Nature versus Nurture By Robert L Smith Instructor: Mr. Simbarashe Chiduma A RESEARCH PAPER Submitted to Baker College in partial fulfillment of requirements For class: Soc 201 Winter 2012 Homosexual is defined as: “of, relating to, or characterized by a tendency to direct sexual desire toward another of the same sex” (Webster’s Dictionary, 4th ed., 2003) The nature approach is based on a chance that humans are born with a specific gene that determines if they will be homosexual. "In other words, some people are born gay." (Johnson, 2003) The nurture approach tells that people are influenced by their surroundings. In this approach, "A nurtured gay person is one that is 'made' gay." (Johnson, 2003) Originally the American Psychological Association (APA) had deemed homosexuality a mental disease. The debate now- a-days revolve around if sexuality is based on nature, a person’s environment, or based on nurture, a person’s upbringing. Alfred Kinsey pioneered one of the earliest experiments in the 1930s. Kinsey’s research resulted in little besides putting the word homosexual into the common language. Karen Hooker completed the first psychological test in 1957. The research was put together to investigate the relationship between homosexuality, psychological development, and illness. The subjects were given three tests, the Rorschach, TAT, and MAPS. She determined that there was no link between social determinism of sexuality...
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