1. Sexual Orientations

2. A Continuum of Sexual Orientations
Primary erotic, psychological, emotional, and social orientation
Homosexual
Orientation toward same-sex
Gay men and lesbians
Bisexual
Orientation toward both same and other-sex
Heterosexual
Orientation toward other-sex

3. Age at First Same-Sex Attraction
Gay and lesbian teens recall first feeling attraction to the same sex, respectively, four or five years earlier than teens in the 1960s.

4. Kinsey’s 7-point Continuum
0 = exclusive contact with and erotic attraction to the other sex
7 = exclusive contact with and erotic attraction to the same sex
Men are more likely to be found on far ends of scale
Women who identify as heterosexual are 27 times more likely than heterosexual men to express moderate or more same sex attraction

5. Kinsey’s Scale
Kinsey’s continuum of sexual orientation.

6. Bisexuality
More women identify as bisexual than men
Rates of bisexuality have tripled in past decade
Types of bisexuality
Real orientation
Transitory orientation
Homosexual denial

7. What Determines Sexual Orientation? Psychosocial Theories
Focus on role of life experiences, parenting patterns, or psychological attributes of individual
Attempt to explain the “cause” of homosexuality
Theories
“By Default” Theory
The Seduction Myth
Freud’s Theory
Parenting patterns or early childhood experiences; no research to support

8. What Determines Sexual Orientation? Biological Theories
Focus on biological causes for sexual orientation
Genetic factors
Homsexuality as familial
Identical twin studies
Homosexuality & gender nonconformity
Implications if biology is destiny
May lead to greater acceptance
Genetic engineering, tolerance for “defective” orientation & intolerance for choices

9. Cross-cultural attitudes vary greatly
Societal Attitudes
Cross-cultural attitudes vary greatly
Judeo-Christian attitudes have varied
Fourteen countries with national laws that protect gays, lesbians and bisexuals from discrimination.

10. Societal Attitudes
Shift from sinner to sickness: early 1900s
1974 APA removed homosexuality from list of mental disorders
No differences in psychological adjustment across sexual orientation
Sexual reorientation therapy does not work but gay affirmative therapy is helpful

11. Homophobia
Anti-homosexual attitudes
Irrational fear or self-loathing
May legitimize hate crimes directed toward sexual minorities
Hate Crimes Statistics Act
Impact of homophobia on heterosexual individuals

12. Causes of Homophobia and Hate Crimes
Lack of acceptance
Traditional gender role stereotypes
Extreme manifestation of cultural norms
Denial of homosexual feelings

13. Causes of Homophobia and Hate Crimes
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14. Hate-Crime Laws
Hate-crime laws by state.

15. Non-Discrimination Laws by State
States with nondiscrimination laws for sexual orientation.

16. Sexual Minorities and the Media
Effects of increasing exposure
Portrayal of gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals as “regular folks”
Individuals can not determine sexual orientation of individual shown on a video

17. Lifestyles
“Gay Lifestyle” emphasizes sexual aspects between same-sex partners
“Lifestyles” of LGB individuals are as varied as those of heterosexuals – representing all social classes, occupations, races, religions and political persuasions.

18. Coming Out and Disclosure
Self-acknowledgement
Self-acceptance
Disclosure
Passing: risks & benefits
Telling family can be difficult
Involvement in the LGBT community
Double minority
Individuals who are both sexual and racial minorities

19. Same-Sex Relationships
Similarities with heterosexual couples
More egalitarian than other-sex relationships
Sex Differences
Lesbians more likely than gay men to be monogamous and value emotional intimacy

20. Family Life Variations Same-sex couple Same-sex couple with children
Single individual with children
Same-Sex Parenting
New reproductive technologies
Children of LGB parents do not differ from those of heterosexual parents

21. Family Life
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22. Gay Rights Movement Began in 1969 with Stonewall Rebellion Goals
Decriminalization of private sexual behavior
Legal protection from discrimination
Legal protection for same-sex families
Health Care
Marriage
Adoption