Inequality Based on Sexual Orientation

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Inequality Based on Sexual Orientation
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What is sexual orientation?
A preference for emotional-sexual relationships
1. With individuals of the same sex
(homosexuality)
2. With individuals of the opposite sex
(heterosexuality)
3. With individuals of both sexes (bisexuality)
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What criteria classify gay, lesbian, or bisexual?
1. Sexual attraction to persons of ones own
gender
2. Sexual involvement with one or more persons
of ones own sex
3. Self-identification as a gay man, lesbian, or
bisexual
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How many homosexuals and bisexuals are in the
U.S.?
Estimates claim 2-7 of males and 3-5 of females
in the U.S. are homosexual.
Lesbian and gay rights advocates say more than
likely 10 are homosexual and even more are
bisexual.
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Sexualityattitudes, beliefs, and practices
related to sexual attraction and intimate
relationships with others
Homophobiaexcessive fear or intolerance of
homosexuality
Compulsory Heterosexisma belief system that
denies, denigrates, and stigmatizes any gay,
lesbian, or bisexual behavior, identity
relationship or community
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Sexual Orientation in the Media
Love, Sidney
Ellen
Will and Grace
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Religion and Sexual Orientation
The only major world religion that doesnt
condemn homosexuality is Buddhism.
Judeo-Christian Texts Against Homosexuality
Genesis 19 Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
Romans 126-27 Perversion and Unnatural Acts
I Corinthians 69 The Sexual Immoral and the
Kingdom of God
Actions Taken by the Vatican
Actions Taken by Baptists
Actions Taken by Episcopals
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Law and Sexual Orientation
Sodomy lawscriminalize oral or anal intercourse
between persons of the same sex
Opposition
1. Privacy Rights
2. Singles out Homosexuals
Bowers v. Hardwick
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Lack of Marital Rights
Cohabitationpartners live together without being
legally married
Domestic Partnershipa household partnership in
which an unmarried couple lives together in a
committed, sexually intimate relationship and is
granted the same rights and benefits accorded to
a heterosexual couple
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Benefits employment benefits (i.e., insurance
coverage)
Still Lacking
Joint parenting Joint taxes Legal immigration and
residency Annuities Pensions Social
Security Wrongful Death Benefits Immunity from
Testifying in Court Against a Spouse
Defense of Marriage Act--1996
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Parental Rights
In the U.S. there are
5 Million Lesbian Mothers
3 Million gay fathers
Lesbian Mothers and Gay Fathers seen unfit
Recognition of both partners as parents
Adoption and Foster parenting
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Housing Discrimination
Discrimination biases the availability and
security of housing for many gays, lesbians, and
homosexuals.
Others may face persecution from other residents.
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Discrimination In Medical Care
Gay men are 25-84 times higher at risk of anal
cancer than heterosexual men
34 of 100 nursing teachers found lesbians
disgusting and 17 believed they molest children
HIV/AIDS 8th leading cause of death in
U.S. top cause of death among men 25-44 4th
in women 25-44
AIDS is EVERYONES Disease
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Occupational Discrimination
2/3 of gay employees have witnessed some type of
hostility
Same-sex sexual harassment
Exclusion for many years in federal jobs
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Discrimination in the Military
Homo- and Bi-sexuals as a security risk
Dont ask, dont tell
The number of discharges for homosexuality
doubled between 1993 and 1998
Military Hate Crimes
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Victimization in Hate Crimes
Matthew Shepard, Laguna Beach, Boston, and many
more
Hate Crimes statistics act of 1990 50 of all
reported antigay harassment and violence is
committed by males 21 and under
GLSEN survey 91 heard crude words describing
gays, lesbians, and bisexuals 69 had direct
verbal abuse 24 suffered physical
harassment 1/3 heard negative remarks from
faculty and staff
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Views and Possible Solutions Regarding Sexual
Orientation and Inequality
Biological Perspective
Psychological Perspective
Interactionist Perspective
Functional Perspective
Conflict Perspective
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Advocacy
1969Stonewall Inn
Late 1970s and 1980sopposition and shifting of
focus
2,500 organizations now seeking equal rights and
protection for gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals
It is everyones job to work against inequality
based on sexual orienation