Sexual Orientation Chapter 10

Learning Objectives Getting Oriented Toward Sexual Orientation Perspectives on Gay Male and Lesbian Sexual Orientations Sexual Orientation in Contemporary Society Adjustment of Gay Males and Lesbians Coming Out

Sexual Orientation Sexual orientation The direction of one’s romantic interests and sexual attractions Heterosexual orientation Erotic attraction to, and preference for developing romantic relationships with, members of the other sex Homosexual orientation Erotic attraction to, and preference for developing romantic relationships with, members of the same sex

Sexual Orientation Gay males Males who are erotically attracted to and desire romantic relationships with other males Lesbians Females who are erotically attracted to and desire romantic relationships with other females Bisexual Erotic attraction to and interest in developing romantic relationships with either males or females

Sexual Orientation Critical Thinking Critical thinkers pay close attention to the meanings and implications of terms. Why do some writers prefer to use male-male sexual behavior or female-female sexual behavior rather than homosexual behavior?

Sexual Orientation Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Most gay people have a gender identity that is consistent with their anatomic sex Heterosexuals often focus exclusively on sex when thinking about homosexuals Sexual orientation is not defined by sexual activity per se Direction of one’s romantic interests and erotic attractions

Sexual Orientation Classification of Sexual Orientation Sexual orientation is not necessarily expressed in sexual behavior People’s erotic interests and fantasies may shift over time Heteroerotic – of an erotic nature and involving members of the other sex Homoerotic – of an erotic nature and involving members of the same sex Kinsey found evidence for continuum of sexual orientation

Sexual Orientation Figure 10.1. The Kinsey Continuum (p. 263).

Sexual Orientation How many people are gay? Continuing controversy Kinsey indicated 3-4% Recent studies 3% gay men, 2% lesbians Overall estimates 2-10% Factors affecting survey results Phrasing of question Social desirability Sex of interviewer Survey method Respondent / volunteer bias Orientation vs. behavior

An alternative to Kinsey continuum Sexual Orientation An alternative to Kinsey continuum Homosexuality and heterosexuality are two different dimensions Can be high or low on both dimensions at the same time Figure 10.2. Heterosexuality and Homosexuality as Separate Dimensions (p. 263).

Sexual Orientation Bisexuality Sexual attraction to both males and females Many have stronger attraction to one sex than the other 1-4% of population Biphobia – negative attitudes and feelings towards bisexual people, including intolerance, hatred, and fear “cop out,” experimentation, indecisive, promiscuous Committed relationships can work

Sexual Orientation Homophobia A cluster of negative attitudes and feelings towards gay people, including intolerance, hatred, and fear Men more than women

Historical Perspectives Ancient Greeks and Romans Adult males formed sexual relationships with adolescent males (Greece) Flamboyance (Rome) Judeo-Christian tradition Sodomy and other non-procreative sexual acts, even within marriage, considered sinful Same-sex practices condemned by most Christian and Jewish denominations, and by Islam

Cross-Cultural Perspectives Male-male sexual activity Exist in societies throughout the world These interactions may involve only behavior and do not imply sexual orientation Some interactions are rites of passage into manhood Female-female sexual activity Is found around the world, but little is known

Cross-Species Perspectives Primates and other animals Same-sex sexual behavior may be displays of dominance and submissiveness May be a form of play or a way of requesting protection Sexual motivation may play a role in some male-male and female-female sexual interactions among animals. But researchers do not find prolonged, exclusive same-sex sexual activity when male-female opportunities exist

Biological Perspectives Evolutionary Perspective Same-sex behaviors may derive from individual selection for reciprocal altruism Advantages for group survival through emotional bonds Women related to gay males appear to bear more children Compensate for lesser likelihood that homosexuals will reproduce

Biological Perspectives Genetics Gay male and lesbian orientations run in families Male twin studies show 52% concordance of sexual orientation in monozygotic twins vs. 22% in dizygotic twins and 11% in adoptive brothers Gay males more likely to have more gay male relatives on maternal than paternal side of family Evidence of possible DNA markers on X chromosome The Brain May be differences consistent with sexual orientation, but evidence is inconclusive

Biological Perspectives Hormonal Influences Sex hormones strongly influence mating behavior in other species Research has failed to connect sexual orientation in either sex with low levels of sex hormones Testosterone associated with sex drive, not orientation Some evidence suggests prenatal sex hormones may play a role

Psychological Perspectives Psychoanalytic View Gay male or lesbian sexual orientation results from unsuccessful resolution of the Oedipus complex (for boys) and Electra complex (for girls) Unresolved castration anxiety plays a role in gay male sexual orientation Learning Theories Focus on the role of reinforcement of early patterns of sexual behavior Have not identified specific learning experiences that lead to orientation Overwhelming majority of gay males and lesbians report awareness of same-sex sexual interest before sexual encounters

Psychological Perspectives Not behaving in a way consistent with stereotypes associated with one’s anatomic sex in a given culture On average, gay males tend to be somewhat feminine and lesbians to be somewhat masculine. However, there is much variation within each group. Begins at an early age Gay males report feeling more sensitive as children Gay males and lesbians report feeling different as very young children Gender Nonconformity

Gender Nonconformity Lesbians more likely to report being “tomboys” as children Butch lesbians more likely than femme lesbians to recall gender-atypical behavioral preferences Hormonal & physical differences between butch & femme lesbians Butch-Femme Dimension

Gender Nonconformity Supporters of an environmental view speculate that social detachment from male peers and role models create a craving for male affection Gender non-conformity appears somewhat heritable If homosexuality is inherited, gender non-conformity may be an early expression Childhood effeminacy and gay male

Critical Thinking Some people believe that sexual orientation is inborn; others believe that it represents the choice of the individual. Why are people who believe sexual orientation is inborn more accepting of homosexuals?

Sexual Orientation in Contemporary Society Attitudes toward gay people have been negative and pervasive There are signs that Americans have grown more accepting View that same-sex intercourse is always wrong held by 56% of people today, as opposed to 77% 10 years ago 67% support legal recognition of gay relationships Same-sex civil unions or marriages legal in many states However, most still believe being gay is a choice

Sexual Orientation and the Law Gay people continue to fight for equal rights and privacy protection, e.g., the overturning of sodomy laws. 1986 Hardwick vs. Bowers: Supreme Court let stand a Georgia law that punished oral-genital or anal-genital by up to 20 years in prison A 2003 decision reversed it, striking down a Texas law against deviate sexual intercourse, stating that it “demeans the lives of homosexual persons”

Gay Activism Fighting discrimin-ation and protecting civil rights Lobbying for increased funding for HIV/AIDS research and treatment Protecting civil rights of people with HIV/AIDS Providing support for people with HIV/AIDS Legalizing gay marriage Repealing Defense of Marriage Act

Stereotypes and Sexual Behavior Erroneous assumption that one partner assumes masculine role and the other the feminine role in same-sex relationships Attempt by “straight” community to understand behavior in their own terms

Adjustment of Gay Males and Lesbians In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association removed gay male or lesbian sexual orientation from its list of mental disorders

Adjustment of Gay Males and Lesbians Recent studies found increased feelings of anxiety and depression and suicidal tendencies in gay males and lesbians compared to heterosexuals Societal oppression likely responsible Some lifestyle and health factors may contribute In their relationships, gay males and lesbians report levels of satisfaction similar to heterosexuals

Homophobia “Fear of homosexuals” takes many forms Derogatory names (queer, faggot, dyke) Telling disparaging “queer jokes” Barring gay people from housing, employment, or social opportunities Taunting (verbal abuse) Gay bashing (physical, sometimes lethal, abuse)

Homophobia Gay bashing and the HIV/AIDS epidemic Homophobic attitudes are more common among traditional males who hold a fundamentalist religious orientation Politically conservative college students are more accepting of negative attitudes toward gay people than are liberal students Some homophobic men may have homoerotic impulses of which they are unaware Gay bashing and the HIV/AIDS epidemic Some people hold gay men more responsible for the epidemic than heterosexual men.

“Treatment” Few have interest in changing Related to social pressure or prejudice The existence of so-called “conversion therapy” contributes to social devaluation Masters & Johnson “reversed” sexual orientation by involving the individuals in pleasurable sexual experiences with the opposite sex Most effective with people who were: Bisexual Married Highly motivated to change

Coming out to oneself involves the development of sexual identity Attraction to members of the same sex Self-labeling oneself as gay or lesbian Sexual contact with members of the same sex Disclosure of orientation to others Coming out to oneself involves the development of sexual identity Some people take years to recognize and accept their same-sex sexual orientation

Coming Out to Others Some tell everyone Some tell only a few select people Patterns of coming out to others vary Over time, most at least grudgingly accept that a family member is gay Family members and loved ones may be initially rejecting or accepting

Critical Thinking How do you account for the gender differences in the processes of coming out in males and females?