Chapter 4: Sexuality
Please Note:
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What is Sexuality?
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Sexuality is a complex combination of:
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Behavior – how we act.
Identity – the way we perceive ourselves
Preference – social experience that dictates
attraction; eye color, race/ethnicity; religion
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Orientation – biological potential
Sexuality as Socially Constructed
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1) Concepts of Heterosexuality and Homosexuality are only
120 years old
2) Applying rules arbitrarily
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3) Applying rules differently based on sexuality
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A) Only some of the rules of bible are followed. Which are more
important? Ten Commandments or ….Laura Schlessinger.
A) Take Quiz –
What does the Quiz show us about our assumptions?
Sexuality as Historically Controlled
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Heterosexism, Racism and Sexism were
encouraged in our ideas of Sexuality
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Heterosexism – belief that heterosexuality is the
only and morally best type of intimate
relationship
Racism – Pressure to stay within ethnic group
Sexism – Women should be passive and men
should be active
Sexuality as Historically Controlled
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1) Controlling Sexuality through Laws (which attempted
to control gender identity as well)
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Laws existed controlling who could marry
 Miscegenation Laws existed until the sixties.
 Gays/Lesbians could not marry.
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Laws controlled divorce
Laws controlled what was considered rape
Laws benefit those who are married.
Laws controlled access to birth control and abortion
Laws controlled Childbearing
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How do these laws shape gender and race identity?
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Sexuality as Historically Controlled
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1) Controlling Sexuality Normatively
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Compulsory Heterosexuality – The pressure we
place upon people to ensure women and men
are attracted to each other.
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“lady killer” “break a lot of hearts” “who do you
have a crush on?”
Pressure to marry and bear children.
Homophobia – Encouraging hatred towards
gays/lesbians.
Sexuality: Organizing It
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Women –
Dichotomy
 Women’s sexuality is often reduced to madonna/whore.
 Madonna didn’t change the dichotomy. She just made the
whore side more acceptable
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Male Gaze – Women’s sexuality is often defined by what is
men’s fantasy.
 What does Porn teach men and women about women’s
sexuality?
 Victoria’s Secret, Cosmo, etc.
Sexuality: Organizing It
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Men
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Always want it.
Dangerous
Out of Control
In a society that values men more than women,
this means that women are responsible for men’s
“out of control” behavior.
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Blamed for rape. Can’t walk around at night or blamed for
consequences. Have to watch dress, etc.
Sexuality at Work
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Pressure to be Heterosexual
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Women feel pressure to use sexuality to move
up.
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Men feel pressure to be “one of the boys” by
denigrating women.
Sexuality at Work
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Pressure to be Closeted
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Discrimination and its protection by the law
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2/5 gay people report harassment at work.
9% fired for sexuality
Gay/Lesbian/Trans Friendly Policies
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Many Universities protect GLBTs.
However, they are still denied economic
rights. So, insurance, pensions are kept
from couples
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60 corporations, 30 Universities and 20 not
for profits provide benefit packages to
partners.
Resources
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Gaywork.com
Human Rights Campaign
Amnesty Internationl