1. Sexual Orientation
Chapter 10

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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?

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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 Heterosexuality and Homosexuality as Separate Dimensions (p. 263).

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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?

24. 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

25. 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”

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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)

31. 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.

32. “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

33. 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

34. 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

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