Society tries to create a “perfect” image on people; leading us to believe that if we are not the specific way that we created, we do not fit in. In reality everybody is supposed to create themself, regardless of what society believes. Does what we label others matter? Who are we to judge how others chose to create themselves? In David Crabb’s memoir Bad Kid, Crabb takes the readers through what it was like discovering that he is gay, and how that changed how kids treated him during school.
Most people would argue that a parent should love their child unconditionally no matter what, but how is it that nearly 43% of homeless LGBTQ+ youth were forced out of their homes after coming out? (Seaton Perspective | homeless rates for LGBT teens are alarming, but parents can make a difference) Given this high percentage, it’s easier to understand why so many kids are scared to come out and share themselves. More importantly, they help us understand more about Yasaman, the main character in “Why I Learned To Cook”, a short story by Sara Farizan. In the story, Yasaman, a bisexual girl, faces the same struggle many members of the LGBTQ+ community face, coming out.
The Latino culture has very strong ideas of the masculine and feminine image and what is accepted from each gender identity. The Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Queer (LGBTQ) Latinidad community as a result often do not fit into the roles their society expected them to fill. Due to the conflict in beliefs between the sexual orientation and ethnic background of a Latinidad LGBTQ member, they can face various difficulties that lead into mistreatment from themselves and the surrounding world. They often experience: a lack of acceptance in society, hash treatment, depression, self-hate, and resentment from their own religion.
Kinsey’s continuum measures sexual orientation based off of experiences, affection, and desires ranging from being exclusively heterosexual to exclusively homosexual. Kinsey’s study allowed for the fluidity of sexual orientation to be measured and exist. I think hate crimes and homophobia stems from negative beliefs towards people regarding other’s preference. Hate crimes are the act of aggression and homophobia is bias against homosexuality. I think institutions along with other social structures impact people’s beliefs and influence these inequalities systemically.
Part 1 There is a particular point of view found in certain recent Hollywood films that explores the varying spectrum of sexuality and the role representation plays in an individual’s life. In the traditional view of sexuality in society, sexuality has an established separation, homosexual or heterosexual. In The Monster and the Homosexual Benshoff mentions “how homosexuality is thought and felt by heterosexuals is part and parcel of the way the culture teaches them (and us) to think and feel about their heterosexuality,” (Benshoff 95). In this context the heterosexual view of a homosexual is based on preconceived notions that the audience have obtained from society.
The knowledge of exploring who you are as male or female represents the ability to comprehend our identity and become part of society’s standards. Gender is a social constructed characteristic interviewed with cultural views and behaviors ruled by context. Because gender is ruled by society’s standards it has become a negative developmental issue for those who do not fit into gender expectations. Repressive hostility upon identity is a central theme discussed in Fun Home by Alison Bechdel. By using graphic illustrations the author shows in a intimate medium her childhood memories so readers can empathize with her memoir easily.
LGB teens tend to suffer much more than heterosexual teens, due to them being a minority and being an easier target for bullying. Consequently, they are “at far greater risk for depression, bullying, and many types of violence than their straight peers” (Hoffman). Being LGB should not affect the level of bullying, yet the mental health of LGB people are still at risk. As a teen questioning my sexuality and growing up, I feel discouraged to explore myself and learn about myself when being different sexually leads to such bullying and ridicule. This is similar to Tituba in The Crucible, in the way that she was bullied for her efforts against witchery.
The Gay Display In today’s society, people are judged every day by their sexual orientation. David Sedaris, author of the story “I Like Guys,” gives insight into the life of a young gay adolescent. He talks about his struggle with whether or not to identify himself as being gay. As a young teen in a society that was not accepting of his sexual preference, people ridicule Sedaris as a “faggot” (Sedaris 52).
Youth have to deal with a variety of problems and issues while growing up. The American Psychological Association Guideline for Psychological Practice with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients has guidelines that a professional should follow when working with youth. When working with youth a counselor needs to be self-aware, understanding, and make sure that they are knowledgeable of issues dealing with youth. “Psychologists strive to understand the unique problems and risks that exist for lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth”. The importance and impact of this guideline can help and assist children by helping them to learn problem solving skills that would assist these youth in behavior problems grief, post-traumatic stress.
Introduction Even though there is a growing knowledge and acceptance of the LGBT community, heteronormativity is still very much the hegemonic ideology that dominates our American culture and society. While the simple definition of heteronormativity is the assumption that heterosexuality is the normal default setting for men and women, there are actually three basic components to this concept that should be taken into account when analyzing through the lens of heteronormativity. According to Schilt and Westbrook (2009), the three basic components of heteronormativity are “the assumption that there are two genders and only two genders, that gender reflects biological sex, and that only sexual attraction between these ‘opposite’ genders is natural or acceptable” (p. 441). Ultimately, heteronormativity promotes, reinforces, and normalizes the gender binary system, heterosexuality, and, more importantly, the masculine/feminine dichotomy in
In a lesbian couples viewpoint a male role model is someone their children can learn from, look up to and be a positive influence. The authors specifically point out that when conducting this analysis one must not look at the idea that all lesbians hate men but to see their positive views toward men. The authors also found that some lesbian parents depict themselves as good gays, this idea of good gays makes a good gay/bad gay distinction. With this idea of good versus bad it creates marginality and puts gay families up against one another; this makes it hard to get a distinction of what is deemed normal and what is not. Looking at the assimilationist theory one
To answer the first question, I would say that it is very important to try and develop a very open mind and considering that an individual is a counselor religion should really not even get in the way. If you want to be a good counselor I feel your religion should never be too important until maybe a client wants do discuss such topics. Given the scope of issues that may be identified by transgender individuals when seeking therapy, it is important for mental health professionals to educate themselves about this population in order to provide the most clinically appropriate, sensitive and supportive care possible (Maguen, Shiperd, & Harris, 2005). That may be the only thing I would suggest to counselors and specifically Christian counselors, when it comes to working with transgendered clients.
In today’s society the word homophobia can be heard and is used quite frequently. Unfortunately, it is not being used in the correct terminology. There are many different definitions of what homophobia is. If we break down the word we come to see “homo” means “same sex” and “phobia” means “irrational fear of something”. In the Merriam Webster’s Dictionary the word was defined as, “Irrational fear of or aversion to homosexuals.”
Maybe at Times, it is easier to be famous and out We live in a modern society where the diversity and difference between people is starting to get acknowledged, rather than suppressed. The range between the different kinds of people, and lifestyles wideness for every day. We live in a world that is drastically changing for the better, yet it’s far from perfect. Homophobia is still alive, making it hard for people to come, without fear for hate, rejection and violence. 4 in 5 LGBT people have experiences hate crime, and more than a quarter have experienced some violent form for hate.
Walter Thompson Innovation Group, only 48% percent of the teens asked to identify on the Kinsey scale identified as heterosexual. This means that the majority of teens are same gender attracted. They need to be educated on how they are being or will be treated because of homophobia, and what better way to do so than to be represented in TV shows and books? Even if they are the ones who are part of the LGBT+ community and have probably experienced homophobia first hand, it is still important to prepare them for the cruelty that will eventually come at them. They need to be the ones to adjust.
