A
Changing
Society
EDUC 2301: Introduction to Special Populations
Learning from LGBTQ Stories
Chapter 11
CULTURAL FACTOR 1: HISTORICAL AND
CURRENT TREATMENT IN THE UNITED STATES
Bullough (1979), identified major societal reactions to
gay people throughout history as having ranged from
1) tolerance during Greek times to
2) societal and religious condemnation of homosexual
behavior as sinful, criminal, and medically pathological
to
3) widespread societal discrimination to
4) treatment that recognizes varying degrees of rights
and acknowledgement of gay and lesbian culture.
©2012 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.
Current Conditions
• In 30 states, LGBT citizens can be fired on the basis of their
sexual orientation and/or gender identity without any legal
recourse, and as many as 39 percent of LGBT workers
continue to experience some sort of workplace
discrimination or harassment.
• Discrimination at both the macro level (for example, health
insurance and partner-benefit laws) as well as at the micro
level (involving daily personal interactions) continue. Gays
and lesbians face economic discrimination as well as a
result of heterosexism in hiring, promotion, and firing
practices.
• Americans feel strongly–on both sides–about gay marriage.
– 53% believe government should give legal recognition to same
sex marriages
– 48% favor banning gay marriage by constitutional amendment
– 55% believe the issue of gay marriage is a state level issue
CULTURAL FACTOR 2: INITIAL TERMS OF
INCORPORATION INTO U.S. SOCIETY
• In Kinsey’s (1948) study, 50 percent of males were
found to be exclusively heterosexual, 4 percent were
categorized as exclusively homosexual, and the
remaining 46 percent fell somewhere in between.
• LGBTQ individuals were incorporated into U.S. society
in the dichotomous portrayal of sexual identity that was
introduced by Kinsey.
• There was no definition for heterosexuality as
normative and correct until homosexuality was
identified and defined as different and incorrect.
©2012 Cengage Learning.
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Kinsey’s “Science”
• There are a number of instances where
Kinsey's published claims about
numerical or factual data - claims with
important implications if true - are now
believed to be misleading or false.
• Williams Institute from UCLA Statistics in
2011
– 1.8% bisexual
– 1.7 % gay
– 0.3% transgendered
2010 U.S. Census
• 650,000 same-sex couples
• 131,729 same-sex couples checked
“husband” or “”wife” boxes on the census
forms, the first time same-sex partners
could do so (higher than the actual
number of legal marriages, civil unions
and domestic partnerships
CULTURAL FACTORS 3 & 4: SHARED VALUES,
AND SPIRITUALITY
• The vast majority of gay and lesbian people live much the
same as their heterosexual counterparts, seeking long-term
relationships and raising families.
• However, discrimination and violence against gays (hate
crimes) and the prohibition of gays and lesbians to marry
create a common cause for advocacy that brings the gay
community together—making up an important element of
gay culture.
• As a whole, LGBTQ community members tend to value that
which is valued by many in society—authenticity,
acceptance, safety, freedom, and community.
©2012 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.
CULTURAL FACTOR 5: ACCULTURATION AND
EXPERIENCE WITH EXCLUSION AND ALIENATION
• Identifying oneself as an LGBTQ individual and
disclosing this to other people is often referred to as
coming out. Coming out may be a positive or negative
experience depending on the level of acceptance and
supports present. Once LGBTQ individuals make their
sexual orientation known to members of dominant
culture, they face pervasive exclusion and alienation.
• Many openly LGBTQ persons in the United States
experience isolation and treatment as second-class
citizens.
©2012 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.
CULTURAL FACTOR 6: LANGUAGE
DIFFERENCES, STRENGTHS, AND CHALLENGES
• Language is used to discriminate against members of the
LGBTQ group. Terms like, fag, queer, dyke, and butch have
been used to denigrate LGBTQ individuals.
• But, gay and lesbian people have reclaimed terms that are
used to discriminate against them, and have redefined slurs
through double entendre with new meanings that serve to
lift up rather than tear down members of this group.
• The use of antigay slurs in U.S. schools is rampant and
likely to be heard by LGBTQ students daily.
©2012 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.
POTENTIAL BARRIERS IN LEARNING–TEACHING
RELATIONSHIPS WITH DOMINANT-CULTURE TEACHERS
AND SCHOOLS
• Many gay students go through the school day fearing
violence and harassment from school staff and their
peers. For these students, the stress and anxiety
encountered inhibit their ability to learn.
• It is imperative that existing facilitative conditions in
schools be broadened and enhanced to recognize and
include alternative family structures and participate in
advocacy for the rights of LGBTQ students and
families.
©2012 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.
Group Reflection and Discussion Activity
• 1. What does the process of “coming out”
involve?
• 2. What experiences that LGBTQ
students commonly confront in schools
negatively affect their development and
achievement?
©2012 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.
Professional Educators’ Responsibility
• Their role requires that they not limit the
potential of any student. Culturally
responsive teaching celebrates each
student as part of the learning
community. Teachers and administrators
should confront colleagues and students
who engage in name-calling and
harassment and ensure that students are
not being discriminated against for any
reason.