Sexual Diversity

Sexual Diversity Lesson 7 October 4th, 2010

Review of last classLGBTTQ2

What is a positive space initiative? • Initiative to ensure that people are aware of the range information including language, terminology, intersections of identities, resources available • the important role allies, to responding to circumstances where there is reluctance and resistance to making spaces more welcoming to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexaul, intersex, queer, questioning, and two-spirited people.

Positive Space • Creating a safe place for all people regardless of their sexual preferences and identities • Education is central • Make people aware of initiatives

Heterosexism The socially constructed belief that heterosexuality is normative, natural and thus superior

So I heard… Being gay is not natural. Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay. Gay parents will raise gay children. Children raised in gay families are noticeably different from other children

Homo-Negativity(homophobia) Discrimination against individuals who identify as anything but heterosexual Occurs in many formsex. Graffiti, verbal harassment, violence ex. “That’s so gay.” Due to many factors: family, culture, religious values, political views … … Homo-negativity can be unlearned.

That’s So Gay!

Stereotypes are Problematic

Man -Male -He -Short hair -Emotionless -Sexual -Aggressive -Powerful/successful -Dominant Pick one. There cannot be any modifications to these lists. You are ONE or THE OTHER. Woman -Female -She -Long hair -Too much emotion -Not sexual -Submissive -Domestic

… I am neither Trans bodies Any person that is in the process of changing genders or sexual characteristics. Transgender Transsexual Any individual in the process of changing is said to be, “transitioning” & also adopts new pronouns.

Stereotypes are Problematic

The Gay Male

Flamboyant “What a flamer.” -Male, 22 Drag Queens AIDS Good Dancer Aerobics/Cardio Emotional Fashion forward YMCA Sensitive “Why are you looking at me like that? Are you a fag?” -Male, 20 Boy Bands Flirtatious Promiscuous Feminine Ability to recognize brand names Enthusiastic Not Sporty High pitched voice

Gay Stereotypes • Lisp • Flamboyant/feminine (clothing, feelings etc.) • “It’s just a phase” • More promiscuous • Hate sports • “unmanly”

Obsessed with fashion • Girlfriends • Gay men families are the last to know

Issues • Peers • Family members in school • Family members out of school • Support groups • “locker room talk”

The Lesbian Female “What kind? The annoying kind, or the other kind?”

Hot Sexual Boobs Promiscuous Tila Tequila- A Shot at Love Light-skinned Fantasy; porn star Threesome; bisexual Horny FEMME “A hot lesbian? There should be more of them and all they should do is make out all the time. That would be cool.” -Male, 14

BUTCH “Are those the chicks that don’t shave their armpits?” -Male, 18 • Feminist • Radical • Tomboy • Annoying • Ugly • Athletic • Hairy legs • Short hair “OMG WTF. If there were two manly lesbians making out, I wouldn’t be watching them. They should get a room – sick ugly people.” -Female, 20

Lesbian Stereotypes Lesbian Baiting • Intersection of two forms of oppression • Sexism – systematic subordination of women based on the belief that men are the superior sex • Homophobia – has made “lesbian” a negative, discrediting label http://eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/14/fc/4a.pdf

Stereotypes Cont’d • Women participate in activities traditionally viewed as “masculine” = threaten power dynamics of sexism • Lesbians – negative attitudes reinforced • Heterosexuals – sexual stereotypes reinforced

Stereotypes Cont’d • “Defending” • Asserting one’s heterosexuality • Trying to appear more feminine • Combating “lesbian baiting” • Eliminating fear of being labeled lesbian • Working against homophobia and sexism

Issues Education – how gender roles limit women • Expend energy to deal with baiting • Limit actions to those considered “feminine” • Change behaviour to exaggerate femininity

Bisexual Stereotypes • Promiscuous • Best of both worlds • Are easy • Are swingers • Can’t commit

Bisexual Social Issues • Discrimination from queer community • Social isolation- no belonging for any community • Sterotypes

Trans……Stereotypes • All transsexuals are easy to spot due to physical differences. • Trans-identified people are accepted in the homosexual community • Transgendered or transsexual people are all homosexual

Problems • Washroom? • Employment? • Family? • Relationships? • Choice or genes?

Current News • The University of Toronto and McGill University now BOTH offer students the option to use gender neutral washrooms. • These washrooms are available to everyone, regardless of gender or biological sex.

Two Spirited Sterotypes • Native communities tend not to classify the world into the concrete binary categories • rather into categories that range from appropriateness to inappropriateness • Not the same as ‘LGTQ’

Intersex Stereotypes • Generally people associate intersexuals as someone who is transgendered, transsexual, or a transvestite. However the majority of these people are this way because of genetic conditions

Brown University Research • Total number of people whose bodies differ from standard male or female – One in 100 births • Total number of people receiving surgery to “normalize” genital appearance – One or two in 1000 births • Not XX and not XY – 1 in 1,666 births • Klinefelter (XXY) – One in 1,000 births • Classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia - One in 13,000 births • Late onset adrenal hyperplasia - One in 66 individuals

Issues • Intersexuals’ tend to be rediculed by those who do not understand or ignore the genetic background behind their sexuality. • They are also subject to anxiety when dealing with gender specific groups (Anything which is based on gender > Gender etc.)

Queer Stereotypes • Gay and queers are typically grouped together, and associated with bondage fetishes. • Questioning also tend to be grouped into the gay/queer stereotype, or as a typical bisexual

Issues • Queer people often feel isolated from society due to their “different” nature. They are either very open with their identity, or very secluded due to this isolation. • Questioning tend to be very secluded regarding their condition since they are wary of who will accept them.

Current Events: Banning Gay Organs? • As of December 2008, Health Canada has barred all sexually active gay men from donating organs—even if they’re in monogamous relationships or have been tested. A spokesperson for the government organisation cited a risk of HIV and hepatitis as the rationale for the ban.

UNLEARN Mindsets can be changed  Use neutral terminology ex. “How’s your partner?”  Allow others to question your sexuality ex. Facebook

PS. Language Language is fluid ask questions Be inclusive • We all make mistakes “That’s so gay!” But if you know that you do, fix that!

Coming Out A lifelong process of recognizing and accepting an LGBTTQ2 identity. Individuals may be “out” to certain people, but not to everyone. If you talk to someone, make sure it is one you can trust (Ex: Friends, Counselors, Teachers) What if someone comes out to you? •  What should you do? • There is no perfect response. • Be informed; educate yourself. • Respect confidentiality. • Do not take control; it is a personal decision

Sexual Diversity