Homosexuality is a hotly debated issue in the United States but there are trends that are showing some normalization of the gay/lesbian lifestyle. The Census 2000, according to Lee Condon (2001), should be remembered as the first gay and lesbian census because the federal head-counters made a first attempt to count gay and lesbian households. When the data was released, it showed that 1.2 million same-sex, unmarried partners had been identified. Single gays and lesbians were left out of this part of the census count, but a study commissioned by the national gay lobby, Human Rights Campaign, estimated that Census 2000 undercounted gay and lesbian couples by a factor of 62 percent (Condon, 2001). Regardless of whether or not Census 2000 represented an accurate profile of the gay and lesbian families or partnerships, what was revealed in Census 2000 is that an “increasing number of American households are populated by gay or lesbian partners who have children from previous relationships, adoption, or other procreative efforts” (Condon, 2001). What this data suggests is that there may be a gradual move toward the normalization of gay and lesbian partnerships or families. A 2001 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation revealed that more than 76% of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals believe that there is greater acceptance of their sexual orientation by the general public (Wellner, 2001). The survey also revealed that 73% of Americans believe that laws against hate crimes should include crimes against homosexuals and bisexuals, while 76% would support extending discrimination laws in employment to protect diverse sexual orientations. Wellner (2001) noted that support for “legally sanctioned gay and lesbian marriages appears to be increasin... ... middle of paper ... ... conservative, ultra-right, and essentially fundamentalist Christian sectors in society, rejection of demands for additional protections for gays and lesbians are still imminent (Skover & Testy, 2002). In conclusion, while normalizing strategies have helped gay/lesbians gain some rights; it tends to reduce sexual differences into sexual identities which ignore the complexity of the issue and its intersectionality with social differences and various forms of inequality. Anti-normalization, which characterizes radical sexual resistance, on the other hand, challenges considerations of sexual morality and normalcy as well as is less centered around a politics of identity. Anti-normalization politics could take us beyond the concepts of identity and exclusion by encouraging a future in which new forms of sexual expression, relations and communities are welcomed.
For years homosexuality in the United States of America has been looked down upon by citizens, religions, and even politicians. The homosexual culture, or the LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender), has been demoralized and stuck out and lashed against by the Heterosexual community time and time again. To better understand the LGBT community we must first grasp the concept of Sexual Orientation.
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...
The emergence of gays and lesbians from the shadows of perceived deviancy has led to the formation of civil unions and in an increasingly number of states, marriage. As society has become more open and accepting of homosexuals, an increased number of gay men and women have “come out” of the proverbial closet. These closeted individuals may have previously been married in heterosexual unions and produced offspring prior to freeing themselves of fear and societal constraints. This gives rise to a new interpretation of the blended family. The gay and lesbian blended family. Many gays and lesbians have opted to cohabitate as a family unit merging the heterosexual and homosexual familial entity. Despite the controversies, gays and lesbians with children are becoming more and more a part of the American family landscape. Increasingly, there are blended families with two moms or two dads. During the past decade, the number of same-sex households “grew significantly” in 10 states for which figures have been released: more than 700 percent in Delaware and Nevada; more than 400 percent in Vermont, Indiana, Louisiana and Nebraska; and more than 200 percent in Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts and
Same-sex couples are increasing among families. In 2001, the definition of census family was changed to incorporate same-sex couples whom live in a common-law relationship. If previous statistics before 2006 did not include same-sex common-law relationships, how accurate could the statistics have been? Herizons (2008) stated that the 2006 Canadian census was the first to allow marital status polls specifically for gay and lesbian couples. According to Canadian Social Trends (2007) same-sex couples increased 33% from the 2001 statistics. “This was over five times the growth rate of opposite-sex couples, the number of which rose by 6% in the same period” (Canadian Social Trends, 2006). Not only did same-sex common-laws increase, but marriages. Out of those same-sex couples, 17% were married (Canadian Social Trends, 2007). The rates vary across the country, but one thing is evident, lesbian married couples were more likely to have children than gay couples (Herizon, 2008).
In recent years, same-sex relationships have become more encompassing in US society. State legislation is changing such as accepting gay marriages, enforcing anti-discrimination laws, and legal gay adoptions; the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community is becoming public. Gay-headed families, like heterosexuals, are diverse and varying in different forms. Whether a created family is from previous heterosexual relationships, artificial insemination, or adoption, it deserves the same legal rights heterosexual families enjoy. Full adoption rights needs to be legalized in all states to provide a stable family life for children because sexual orientation does not determine parenting skills, children placed with homosexual parents have better well-being than those in foster care, and there are thousands of children waiting for good homes.
“Equal rights for lesbians and gay men may be the greatest civil rights battle of the 21st century” (Avery 2007, p. 71). Homosexual couples have been fighting a losing battle for years, and their struggle has recently taken the spotlight once again as a burning topic. Over the years, many people have come to support equal love. However, many Americans still advocate the one man-one woman institution of marriage. The fight for equal rights in general has always been a complex issue. African Americans, women, and many other minorities have had to fight for the rights that they hold today. There are many factors involved in gay activism such as support, attitudes, roles, and the implications of the movement. Social psychology takes a particular interest in gay rights and these factors in particular, as it is a current, controversial topic within American society.
One of the major bigotries today’s society has is on the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community. In the United States, 25 states and Washington D.C. allow same-sex marriage. The other 25 states ban same-sex marriage with a few states allowing domestic partnerships and civil unions. Many countries, especially
“Being gay is much more profound than simply a sexual relationship; being gay is part of that person’s core identity, and goes right to the very center of his being. It’s like being black in s society of whites, or a blonde European in a nation of black Asians” (Tamara L. Roleff). Although marriage, cohabitation and parenting styles of homosexual families pose no threats to the heterosexual society; many still believe same-sex marriage goes against its true purpose. “At the national level, American public opinion on the issue remains split (44 percent support legalizing same-sex marriage; 53 percent oppose same-sex marriage in a May 2010 Gallup Poll) even as opposition toward legalizing same-sex marriage is at its lowest point in decades (Jones, 2010)” (Amy B. Becker). Also to one’s surprise, among the vast amount of psychological disorders, homosexuality is not one. Homosexuals are just as capable of sustaining stable and successful relationships and families just as heterosexuals.
In the 1990's there has been what is called a "normalized movement"(Warner 41). This so-called movement has permeated into all aspects of the Gay and Lesbian movement's agenda. It has become increasingly clear in the realms of the media such as television, movies and magazines. The major objective for the proponents of this movement is to make the homosexual seem "normal." This would be done by not focusing on the sexual nature of the homosexual. Since their sexual behavior is considered deviant by society, any outward expression of it will be looked down upon. So, it has been the goal of some leaders of the movement as well as those who control the media outlets to separate the identity and sexuality of the homosexual as far as possible.
As a United States citizen who was born in the new millennium, I was brought up with the idea that, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” This statement was one of the main sources of fuel for the Civil Rights Movements in the mid 1950’s/60’s in the United States. Minority groups have often been mistreated in the United States culminating in movements much like that of the women’s suffrage movement, civil rights movements and now a movement toward equality for the LGBTQIA. In the last few decades a new minority group, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and allies, and their struggle to attain their right to the pursuit of happiness. This small makes up roughly 4 percent of the US population. Though many say that gay marriage will weaken the moral foundation of our country, it should be legalized, not only because banning it is unconstitutional, but also because strips people of their human rights
The fight for gay rights was never an easy task. Those involved suffered many tragedies and withstood a great deal of anguish because the world didn’t accept them for who they were. Still, there were parts of the Gay Rights Movement worthy of celebration. Despite the fact that homophobia and the mistreatment of the LGBT community still exists today, various actions throughout the decades have furthered the fight for tolerance by opening more opportunities, increasing the amount of support, and creating more equality for those involved.
The concept that social institutions control hegemonic discourses that produce sexuality is troubling in today’s modern society. The operations of power and these discourses employ to regulate bodies and pleasure, normalize behavior, and make these internal to our understanding of what is it to be an individual in Western culture. Societies have come up with a sexual identity that is considered “norm” with the intent that individuals within that society will prescribe and follow that norm that has been set. The norm that has been set up does not and never has fit into the sexual identities in the world around us. Therefore the search for a gay identity and inclusion into this type of society is something that individuals with alternative sexualities seek out in order to somehow fit into the charmed circle of heteronormative status that our modern society subscribes to.
In the United States, there are approximately 581,300 same sex couples, according to the American community survey of 2012. Approximately 253,576 are male to male and 300,890 are female to female households. (Lofquist & Ellis, 2011) It is clear that there is diversity of sexual taste.versity of sexual preference. Age wise is also not a very big difference since the sexual preference of a person could take place from child to elderly. Nevertheless the highest portion of same sex couples living in together would be between the ages of 45 and 54 which it being close to 30% followed by 25% of the ages 35 to 44. Approximately 88% of the LGBTQ population are from white origin followed by a capital deviation, which would be Hispanic with 10% and African American with 8%. The lowest would be of Asian origin coming in with about 3-5%. (American Community Survey, 2012) With such high numbers it has been understood that people being LBGTQ are coming out more. Se...
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...
... the past several years is the same-sex family. Since the sexual revolution of the 1960’s, changing attitudes have brought more tolerance to the gay and lesbian community. This has somewhat loosened the stigma previously associated with this segment of the population. Along with evolving public attitudes, economic and legal changes in the United States have also reduced barriers previously facing same-sex couples making it more likely for them to form families (Butler, 2004). On the other hand, continued strong institutional ties to marriage between one man and one woman continue to pose problem for this group and shape social agendas (Glenn, 2004; Lind, 2004). While several states and many employers have given recognition and benefits to homosexual partners, there is still no uniform policy in place which addresses their familial rights in the United States.