Introduction
Every day, throughout the world, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people face violence, harassment and discrimination because they reject socially imposed gender roles and because they have intimate relationships with same sex partners. LGBTI activism has had increasing and intensifying tendencies for the last hundread years, and is still becoming stronger and more widespread. The main aims of the activists is to get rid of homophobia, and discrimination in all of its aspects. And they have done some progression, for example in same-sex marriages. With Netherlands' constitution of same-sex marriage in 2001, the number of countries with legalized non-heterosexual partnerships has been increasing steadily. By december 19th ,2013, the number increased to 16 countires, plus Mexico and United States of America where these marriages are legal only in some jurisdictions (Pewforum, 2013). Progress in the rest of the areas has been made aswell. Constant pressure and actions of unelected representatives of LGBTI was one of the factors that helped to achieve this.
In Slovakia, the situation is not progressing forward as fast as in the rest of the western world. There are many reasons for why the situation is like that, but that is a question for another paper. Instead this research shall be a theory-based analysis of the situation of LGBTI community in Slovak Republic and how the interests of this minority are represented on various levels in political life. Since there are no elected representatives of this minority in Slovakia, different unelected entities will be considered only, and how they influence the LGBTI situation. There are many NGOs, local figures, celebrities, interest groups and other in...
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PEWFORUM (2013). Gay Marriage Around the World. [Online] Pew Research Center. Availible from: http://www.pewforum.org/2013/12/19/gay-marriage-around-the-world-2013/#allow [Accessed 13/01/2014].
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SAWARD, M. (2006). The Representative Claim. Contemporary Political Theory 5: 297‐318.
SCHEUFELE, D. A. (1999). Framing as a Theory of Media Effects. Journal of Communication, 49 (1). 103-122.
TERENZANI – STANKOVÁ, M. (2010). Rainbow shines even through tear-gas. The Slovak Spectator, 24th May. availible from: http://spectator.sme.sk/articles/view/38999/2/rainbow_shines_even_through_tear_gas.html
Rather, more multiple categorized differences are confirmed with various dimensions. By applying the concept of “intersectionality” to the present social situations, the right of the same-sex marriage can be given as an another example. In regard to this, the subject’s identities are subdivided into the multiple existing frameworks, and the aggregation of these characters establishes one unique personality. The examples of what makes people separate from “others” are seen in the dissimilarities of their sex, age, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, and their geographical position, and these categories construct the different personal experiences and standpoints. For example, In Japan, the gay marriage is not authorized under the current law. Also, the amount of exposure about the LGBT in the media is still low, thus a subordinate social movements are not active. As a result, heterosexual people do not recognize the existence of the minority group, and even if they recognize it, people do not try to focus on the situation of them. Thus, the gender minority people are still in the positions of weak. On the other hand, in The USA, the same-sex marriage is legalized, and generally speaking, as a result of the legalization, the LGBT people have more access to the social life like heterosexual people have. This comparison indicates that due to their geographical location,
Scheufele, Dietram A. 1999. "Framing as a Theory of Media Effects." Journal of Communication 49 (4): 103-22.
Currently, only 13 countries offer rights for members of the LGBT community. Within those countries, few offer equal rights such as health care, marriage rights, and adoption to LGBT members. Many people around the globe would agree that these rights, along with all other rights granted to heterosexuals, should not be granted to these members of the LGBT community. One prevalent notion is that being gay, or being included in the LGBT community, is unnatural. This notion is simply incorrect; everyone, no matter their gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation does, in fact, deserve the same liberties as their heterosexual counterparts. Being a member of the LGBT community has no negative effect on the lives of others unless those people view heterosexuality in a negative light, allowing it to bedevil them, and ultimately change the way they live their life. Being gay is completely natural. Though some would argue that homosexuality is unnatural, others would disagree, being that research has been conducted. The conclusion was that the way people think and feel towards others is s...
One group of people for whom the question of respect for diversity and individual freedoms comes into stark relief are those belonging to so-called sexual minorities. The struggle for acceptance by sexual minorities is almost universally undertaken in the face of strong and often even violent prejudice and misunderstanding.
Tatchell, Peter (1992). Europe in the Pink: Lesbian and Gay Equality in the New Europe. London: GMP.
the beginning the text has an exciting tone since the authors describe the overwhelming emotions of individuals as well as the celebrations that took place after the law allowing same sex marriage was approved. By starting the article in this manner the writers are trying to provoke feelings of excitement from their readers in order to make them think that this event is a positive aspect of our society. Also, by mentioning the gay movement’s multiple efforts over the past “forty-two years to ensure the marital as well as civil rights of homosexuals” (Virtanen, Hill, and Zraick 1), the writers motivate their audience to be sympathetic towards these individuals. Moreover, the authors try to make people become more suppo...
Stephen D. Reese, from the book Framing Public Life, states that framing is power that has effects on our understanding of the political world. He further explains that framing is useful in understanding the media’s role in political life. The framing tool is useful because a particular media outlet or news source, such as a radio host, perhaps doesn’t fully mean what they say and is just voicing it because they have an audience. Intent doesn’t matter as much as extent, according to Reese. If someone were to continue to explain what they mean by a particular frame it then becomes normal for not only them but the public. Although that same person isn’t thinking about the terms of those frames people still come to believe it, which can be cause
The most recent full explication of frames and framing effects comes from Bertram and Dietram Scheufele (2010), and serves to define what frames are, what they do, how they do it, and where they come from. However, it is lacking a predictive model for when effects will occur. Adding this level to the framing model will greatly expand the ability of researchers to accurately measure the effects of framing on individual cognitions and will at least in part fulfil the call of Scheufele and Scheufele (2010) to integrate disparate sociological and psychological theories into our understanding of framing (p. 131). This literature synthesis draws upon recent research to show that the occurrence of framing effects may be dependent upon the processing strategy utilized by the message receiver (Stewart, 2013).
Mass Media. Ed. William Dudley. Farmington Hills, MI: Thompson Gale, 2005. 121-130.
The LGBT community faces many disadvantages and struggles throughout their life. “People around the world face violence and inequality and sometimes torture, even execution because of who they love, how they look or who they are. Sexual orientation and gender identity are integral aspects of ourselves and should never be lead to discrimination or abuse (Human Rights Watch).” The LGBT community often faces discrimination in health, jobs, housing, domestic violence, abuses against children, and denial of family rights.
Salwen, M. B. (1987). Mass Media Issue Dependency and Agenda Setting. Communication Research Reports, 4(1), 26-31.
Gender and sexuality can be comprehended through social science. Social science is “the study of human society and of individual relationships in and to society” (free dictionary, 2009). The study of social science deals with different aspects of society such as politics, economics, and the social aspects of society. Gender identity is closely interlinked with social science as it is based on an identity of an individual in the society. Sexuality is “the condition of being characterized and distinguished by sex” (free dictionary, 2009). There are different gender identities such as male, female, gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual that exists all around the world. There is inequality in gender identities and dominance of a male regardless of which sexuality they fall under. The males are superior over the females and gays superior over the lesbians, however it different depending on the place and circumstances. This paper will look at the gender roles and stereotypes, social policy, and homosexuality from a modern and a traditional society perspective. The three different areas will be compared by the two different societies to understand how much changes has occurred and whether or not anything has really changed. In general a traditional society is more conservative where as a modern society is fundamentally liberal. This is to say that a traditional society lists certain roles depending on the gender and there are stereotypes that are connected with the genders. One must obey the one that is dominant and make decisions. On the other hand, a modern society is lenient, It accepts the individual’s identity and sexuality. There is no inequality and everyone in the society is to be seen as individuals not a part of a family unit...
Naisargi Dave’s paper on Queer Politics in Cotemporary India focuses on the importance that activism and agency has on the power and influence that the LGBTQ community has in India. Overall, the paper attempted to illustrate
...r attention on selected issues on which the public will form opinions on (McCombs). Framing is an important factor by allowing the media to select certain aspects about the problem and then make them appear more important in the text, which results in enhancing the meaning or interpretation of the situation (Scheufele). Last, but not least, priming also played an important role in shaping public opinion. Priming works as the media repeatedly exposed certain issues in the public viewers. The more exposure an issue gets, the more likely an individual will recall or retain the information in their minds. With these three factors played out systemically the media, our opinions are constantly being influence and shape by them. As quoted by Walter Lippman, “what we know about the world is largely based on what the media decide to tell us” (McCombs).
Second, framing theory is leveraged to influence the media’s portrayal of each topic(s) and bolster public perception about an organization’s relevance, credibility, and/or benefit (Hallahan, 1999). To further illustrate the inherent value of agenda setting and framing for public relations, this paper will discuss practical applications of these theories in successful media relations efforts.