Homosexual Stereotypes - Essay Example

Running Head: HOMOSEXUAL STEREOTYPES Homosexual Stereotypes s Homosexual Stereotypes Introduction Sexual orientation is a long-term attraction for another individual and ranges from being heterosexual (attraction to the opposite sex), bisexual (attraction towards both the sexes) and homosexual (attraction towards same sex). While heterosexuality is an accepted norm of the society, the individuals who live a bisexual or homosexual lifestyle are outcast from the accepted societal behaviour, so and so much that they develop a certain kind of negative attitude towards these unaccepted sexual orientation. Like negativity towards homosexual individuals have coined a term called 'homophobia', that is noting but a societal prejudice and bias towards persons who engage in it sex sexual intercourses. In fact, homophobia is a belief that gays (homosexual men) are involved in a very sinful, morally wrong, biologically sick, and attitudinally inferior that deems these homosexual men and women to be rather individuals that are both physically and psychologically incomplete, just as illustrated by Dong in his documentary titled "Licensed to Kill". Discussion Homophobia is a feeling of apprehension, worry, aversion, abhorrence and revulsion with the act of being homosexual. This fear and apprehension let the heterosexual believe that the homosexuals are inferior beings and their attitudes, their behaviours, their societal articulation, media and other texts project this. When the homosexuals experience such a dislike and abhorrence, they either have then nothing to do except to hide their sexual orientation or led a life of an inferior being. This inferiority complex when materializes, it hinders these individuals to get to know themselves and accept what they truly are. The problem of homophobiais the result of many false propaganda and many myths about homosexuals and the societal non-acceptance of these attitudes, at some places in the name of law, and at other in the name of religion. Dirty gay 'jokes' and other physical and oral persecution lead many to commit either suicide or to hide their orientation all through their lives. While the available studies have shown post-dissolution relationships to be important and challenging to formerly dating partners, more research on these relationships is needed. Initial descriptions of post-dissolution relationships (Metts, et al, P. 265-278, 2002; Schneider & Kenny, 451-466, 2000) and the role of post-dissolution relationships in social networks (Foley & Fraser, 1998) utilized samples of heterosexual ex-partners only. In other aspects of relating, same-sex and opposite-sex, romantic relationships have been found to share more similarities than differences. Specifically, similarities between same-sex and opposite-sex romantic relationships have been found in studies of closeness (Peplau & Cochran, P.321-349, 2002), commitment (Duffy & Rusbult, 1-23, 2000), jealousy, love level, maintenance behaviours (Haas & Stafford, 1998), satisfaction and sexuality. Yet, because same-sex romantic relationships exist in an environment that often does not condone, rarely encourages, and offers few relational role models, the differences in the social context of same-sex and opposite-sex romantic relationships may lead to significant differences between the qualities of and influences on the two types of post-dissolution relationships. Many people believe that these gays are bad or else they are deviant heterosexual individuals. There is a wide degree of intolerance towards gay men. This is due to extensive negative image propagation in the media, the defiance and indifference of church towards the religious orientation of these men and women and stereotypes of a rigid society. The heterosexual individuals commonly take these stereotypes, regarding the homosexuality and the inferiority of gays, as true. As Arthur Dong illustrated in his documentary titled "Licensed to kill", he showed that these stereotypes appear and increase social chauvinism and discrimination that gives rise to as well as strengthens the misinterpretation, apprehension and abhorrence, discrimination in addition to carnage in opposition to gays. A lot of prejudiced heterosexuals suppose that gays decide their sexual orientation that entails that these gays are insolent, perplexed or mislead heterosexuals. Accordingly, gays have been chastised lawfully, communally as well as religiously for insolence or else they are put through instruction as well as intimidation for the allegedly puzzled or mislead state. As illustrated by Arthur Dong, heterosexual individuals believe that the homosexuality is a kind of non-biological and unnatural stance and if they are left alone to experience their homosexuality, then they would one day believe that heterosexuality is in fact unnatural. Christian extremist also believe in killing gays, although church bishops give no proof of knowledge that heterosexual relations sense exactly as aberrant for gays. (Michael, et al., 172-186, 2000). Nevertheless, sex is a natural phenomenon, and both heterosexuals and homosexuals and also the transgressors (bisexuals) engage in sexual activities for one sole reason, to fulfill the sexual need that is inherent in every individual. For both the heterosexuals and homosexuals sex is a means of giving and receiving love and affection and a way to form intimate relationships. The primary purpose for both the hetro and homo is fulfilling sexual desire, while reproducing is always the secondary one. The decision to complete the secondary need is always with the couple engaging in sexual activity. The only difference is the conception within the womb. (Rothenberg, P.577-592, 2001) Oaks (2001) in an anti-homosexual sentiment proclaim that gender identity is a must and gender identity comes with the rightful sexual identity as a natural phenomenon, the characteristics of beings masculine and feminine. Almost in every society, boys are trained and nurtured to follow the predefined gender role of being strong and independent and superior to girls. Boys who like to paint instead of playing footballs are called as sissies. As such, it is assumed that sexual orientations among people do not appear from bodily processes or hormones on the contrary from the demands of the society. For this reason, the ethical significance of religion as well as cultural depiction strengthen the limits between genders as well as make sure that the thing that is demanded as well as the thing that is allowed and accepted among the masses in every one of the gender is famous and pursues by the majority. However, Arthur Dong illustrated that gender differentiations by themselves are inadequate to give explanation for the imposed social classification of gender roles in our society. Additionally descriptive is the manner that the societal stereotypes of "maleness" and "femaleness" prejudice the giving out of authority to males. Furthermore, it is a common conviction that gay men have feminine traits. In this heterosexual society, it is commonly held that men are attracted to women and women are attracted to men. Despite the fact that the preponderance of gays do not show gender eccentricity, the pigeonhole of the "womanly" gay man. These kind of typecasts have an effect on the perception of people in the society. For the reason that they are perceived to have personality of women, the gays are either buoyant to develop into "mannish" and in consequence meet their brothers in their correct position or else they considered as lower and inferior, similar to unruly women. (Haldeman, 221-227, 2000) The social classification of men and women is more than ever imperative in the churches where gender resolves who would get communal as well as clerical authority. However societal gender role aspects only do not passably give an explanation for the profundity of bigotry stimulated in several people in our society. (Solomon & Williams, 196-216, 2003) Heterosexual males discriminate against gays for the most part, as they perceive in gay men characters of women. Over and over again, at elementary levels, students from bigoted social environment are trained to utilize classifications for example queer, sissy, fairy and faggot in order to articulate resentment about more orthodox "womanly" boys in spite of their real sexual orientation. Wooden and Parker (2002) asserts that where men have sex with the same sex in the British cultures, its just the responsive partner is termed as well as ridiculed by the society as gay. Donald Aldrich and Corey Burley effectively depicted the major issued faced by gays especially the risk of their lives by gay-bashers. Kite (2004) notes that in the armed forces, the new recruits are named "ladies" or "girls" by their instructors in anticipation of the completion of their elementary training, after which, having removed each and every one of the "feminine" frailty from their beings, they develop into "gentlemen". It's a proven phenomenon that whenever someone does anything that is unconventional and unorthodox, the society points a finger at that person. When that distinctiveness fits the needs of the society and complies by the rigid norms, it is adapted and the newness is adjusted and amalgamated with the old norms of the society. But when the newness do not conform with the old and rigid norms of the society, and also when this newness does not meet the requirements of the people of the society, then this newness is ridiculed. Conclusion Homosexuality posed threats to nearly everything, religious orientation, orthodox sexual orientation, conventional family orientation, societal orientation and many others in the line. Hence, when it poses threat, then it becomes highly dangerous. And one way to overcome such a danger is to regard anyone who engages in such newness as inferior to the normal and superior beings. Arthur Dong's documentary provided an insight into this largely overlooked but very critical issue facing the gay community. This is the history of society and this is the future, which, I think would be orthodox as far as homosexuality is concerned, until and unless there is a political or social or economic need is not there that needs to be fulfilled. References Dong, Arthur; (1997) Licensed to Kill, Starring: Donald Aldrich, Corey Burley ASIN: B0009PW3QU Duffy, S.M. & Rusbult, C.E. (2000). Satisfaction and commitment in homosexual and heterosexual relationships. Journal of Homosexuality, 12, 1-23. Haldeman, D.C. (2000). The practice and ethics of sexual orientation conversion therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 62(2): 221-227. Kite, M.E. (2004). Individual differences in males' reactions to gay males; Basic and Applied Social Psychology 22: 1222-1239. Metts, Kurdek Dillard, J.P. & Broetzmann, S.M. (2002). The dissolution of gay couples. Journal of Personal and Social Relationships, 8, 265-278. Michael, R.T., Gagnon, J.H., Laumann, E.O., & Kolata, G. (2000). Sex in England. A definitive survey. London: Little, Brown & Company. P.172-186 Peplau, L.A. & Cochran, S.D. (2002). A relationship perspective on homosexuality. In D. P. McWhirter, S.A. Sanders, & J.M. Reinsch (Eds.), Homosexuality/heterosexuality: Concepts of sexual orientation. (pp. 321-349). London: Oxford. Rothenberg, P.S., ed. (2001). Race, Class, and Gender in the United Kingdom: An Integrated Study, third edition. London: St. Martins Press. P.577-592 Schneider, C.S. & Kenny, D.A. (2000). Cross-sex friends who were once romantic partners: Are they platonic friends now Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 17, 451-466. Solomon, D.H. & Williams, M.L.M. (2003). Perceptions of social-sexual communication at work: The effects of message, situation, and observer characteristics on judgements of sexual harassment. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 25, 196-216. Wooden, W. & Parker, J. (2002). Men Behind Bars: Sexual Exploitation in Prison. London: Plenum. Read More