Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences & Disorders Palm Springs 2002

Diversity and Sexual Orientation Joe A. Melcher, Ph.D. Xavier University of Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana

DEFINITIONS  Sexual Orientation – A person’s emotional, physical, and sexual attraction and the expression of that attraction. Although a subject of debate, sexual orientation is probably one of the many characteristics that people are born with. Most people become aware of their sexual orientation during adolescence.

Definitions  Homosexuality – A sexual orientation in which a person feels physically and emotionally attracted to people of the same gender.  Heterosexuality – A sexual orientation in which a person feels physically and emotionally attracted to people of the opposite gender.  Bisexuality – A sexual orientation in which a person feels physically and emotionally attracted to people of both genders.

DEFINITIONS  Transgender identity – The experience of having a gender identity that is different from one’s biological sex. A transgender person may identify with the opposite biological gender and want to be a person of that gender.  Transvestite – An individual who dresses in opposite-sex clothing to derive sexual gratification. Transvestites are frequently married men who identify as heterosexual.

DEFINITIONS  Homophobia – The fear, dislike, and hatred of same-sex relationships or those who love and are sexually attracted to those of the same sex. Homophobia includes prejudice, discrimination, harassment, and acts of violence brought on by fear and hatred. It occurs on personal, institutional and societal levels.

DEFINITIONS  Internalized homophobia – The fear and self-hate of one’s own homosexuality or bisexuality that occurs for many gay and lesbian individuals who have learned negative ideas about homosexuality throughout childhood.

DEFINITIONS  Heterosexism – The assumption that all people are or should be heterosexual. Heterosexism excludes the needs, concerns, and life experiences of lesbian, gay and bisexual people while it gives advantages to heterosexual people. It is often a subtle form of oppression which reinforces realities of silence and invisibility for gays and lesbians.

The Truth About Sexual Orientation  Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual people cannot be identified by certain mannerisms or physical characteristics.  Sexual experiences as a child are not necessarily indicative of one’s sexual orientation as an adult.  No one knows what causes sexual orientation.

The Truth About Sexual Orientation  Many people accuse GLB people of “flaunting” their sexuality when they talk about their partner, hold hands or kiss one another in public.  People who are GLB work in all types of jobs and they live in all types of situations.

The Truth About Sexual Orientation  Sometimes oppression based on sexual orientation escalates into acts of physical violence.

Persons experiencing victimization  Lesbian & bisexual women 57/ %  Gay and bisexual men27/3871.1%  Questioning women30/6546.2%  Questioning men 5/1435.7%  Heterosexual women 35/ %  Heterosexual men 30/ %

Types of incidents and proportions for four institutions Oberlin Yale Rutgers Penn St.  Property damaged/destroyed  Verbal insults  Overheard antigay remark NA  Objects thrown at  Followed or chased

Types of incidents and proportions for four institutions Oberlin Yale Rutgers Penn St.  Spat upon  Assaulted/wounded  Punched, hit, kicked  Sexually harassed NA  Non-reporting incident >

The Truth About Sexual Orientation  The majority of child molesters are heterosexual men, not GLB people.

The Truth About Sexual Orientation  Homosexuality is not a mental illness & cannot be “cured” by psychotherapy.  There is no definable gay “lifestyle”.  Compiled by Youth Pride, Inc. and The Campaign to End Homophobia

SUGGESTIONS FOR REDUCING HOMOPHOBIA  Make no assumption about sexuality  Have some symbol in your office

SUGGESTIONS FOR REDUCING HOMOPHOBIA  Challenge homophobia  Combat heterosexism  Adopt & enforce anti-discrimination policies

What Gay Employees Want  A specific employment policy that prohibits discrimination based upon sexual orientation.  Creation of a safe work environment that is free of heterosexist, and homophobic behaviors.

What Gay Employees Want  Company-wide education about gay issues in the workplace and about AIDS.  An equitable benefits program that recognizes the domestic partners of gay, lesbian and bisexual employees.

What Gay Employees Want  Support of a gay/lesbian/bisexual employee support group.  Freedom for all employees to participate fully in all aspects of corporate life.  Public support of gay issues. Taken from Brian McNaught’s “Gay Issues in the Workplace”

How To Attract GLBT Employees  Advertising  Interviewing  Domestic Partner Benefits

What GLBT Students Want  Safe Living and Learning Environment  Enforced Anti-discrimination policies  Accurate and inclusive information

What GLBT Students Want  Support from faculty and peers  Freedom to be themselves

ISSUES FOR PATIENTS  Neutralize case history forms  Reduce stereotypical images in tests & therapy materials  Learn and use appropriate terminology  Be respectful of differences

The Hidden Self

REFERENCES  Griffin, Pat, “From Hiding Out to Coming Out: Empowering Lesbian and Gay educators”, Journal of Homosexuality, Vol. 22, Nos.3-4, 1991, The Haworth Press, Inc., Binghamton, NY. pp  Lee, James, “Culture and Sexual Orientation”, The ASHA Leader, April 2,  McNaught, Brian, Gay Issues in the Workplace, St. Martin’s Press, N.Y., NY  Norris, William P., “Liberal Attitudes and Homophobic Acts: The Paradoxes of Homosexual Experience in a Liberal Institution”, Journal of Homosexuality, Vol. 22, Nos.3-4, 1991, The Haworth Press, Inc., Binghamton, NY.pp  