Heterosexuality QuizPlease consider… Who have you told about your heterosexuality? What will

your friends and family think? Don’t you think all straight people need is a good gay lover? How will the world sustain a growing population if straight

people keep breeding? Why are straight people so focused on sex? Why do straight people have to make such public displays

of affection? The majority of pedophiles and rapists are heterosexual.

Would you really want your child taught by straight teachers?

Sexual Diversity

Module Outcomes:Knowledge and understanding of sexual identity and orientation

Sex Gender(male & female) Sex is Biological You are born with your

sex. It cannot be changed

(masculinity & femininity) Gender is socially

constructed You are not born with your

gender role identification (learnt)

It can be changed

Gender can be defined as the socially constructed roles, responsibilities, constraints and privileges that are assigned to women and

men in a given culture or location

Aspects of sexualitySexual Orientation An integral & unchangeable part of who you are Describes the direction of your physical, emotional, and

spiritual attraction to other people: same sex, opposite sex or both

Sexual Identity How you perceive yourself and how you present yourself

to the worldSexual behaviour How we express ourselves sexually – the sexual activity

we do Does not always match our sexual orientation or our

sexual identity

Identity, Orientation & Behaviour

Kinsey’s Continuum of Sexuality

50% EXCLUSIVELY

HETEROSEXUAL

40% EQUAL

CAPACITY FOR SAME

SEX ATTRACTION

10% EXCLUSIVELY HOMOSEXUAL

SUMMARY Human sexuality should be thought of as fluid and

diverse. It is believed that sexual orientation is not a conscious

choice. It is generally established during early childhood, usually before five years of age.

People vary considerably, not only in the proportion of homosexual to heterosexual behaviour they practice, but also in the way their behaviour varies over time.

The development of positive sexual identity is crucial to self-esteem and mental well-being.

Heterosexism

The belief system which allows homosexuality to be stigmatised, denigrated or ignored.

Like racism or sexism, heterosexism is sustained and perpetuated through societal customs, institutions and individual attitudes and behaviour.

“Heterosexism is like the air we breathe: ubiquitous and barely noticeable”

(Herek, 1990)

Fear of repercussions in disclosing sexual identity can influence consolidation of sexual identity.

The effect of disclosing one’s different sexual orientation, behaviour or identity from the accepted ‘norm of heterosexism’ can have negative consequences such as:– Psychological conflict.– Risk taking behaviour.– Social isolation and rejection.– Victimisation and violence.

Homophobia

“The fear and hatred of those who love and sexually desire those of the same sex. Homophobia, which has some of its roots in sexism, includes prejudice, discrimination, harassment, and acts of violence brought on by fear and hatred.”

Penley Miller and Mahamati (1994) “Blockout”

Harassment & HomophobiaThe Australian Lesbian Coalition’s Young Lesbian Report

(1998) 80% reported verbal violence 10% + had experienced physical violence

because of their lesbianism

NSW Police Service 1999 Gay & Lesbian Fair Day Survey 12% lesbian, 14% gay men had experienced physical assault in previous

12 months Lesbians 6x more likely to be assaulted Gay men 4x more likely to be assaulted

Isolation and Concealment

Adolescence is a time when most young people want to identify strongly with a peer group.

For gay, lesbian and bisexual young people the group they can readily identify with is either non-existent or not visible in their environment:

lack of positive role models compromised role models unable to identify with visible role models

Silence & lack of visible GLBTI role models enforces a worldview in which GLBTI people are not valued as equal. This does nothing to prepare students for participating in a real world where GLBTI people & communities exist & have rights

Harassment & Homophobia

In a study of 750 young people aged 14-21 who identify as same-sex attracted:

Nearly 1/3 believed they had been unfairly treated or discriminated against because of their sexuality.

46% overall had been verbally abused 13% had been physically abused Verbal and physical abuse effected their feelings of safety at home

and school and was strongly related to reduction in self-esteem and the use of drugs

Hillier, L. et. al, Writing Themselves In: A National Report on the Sexuality, Health and Well-being of Same-Sex Attracted Young People. NCHSR 1998

Sexual Health

73% sexually active - overall, sexually active at a younger age than general population

Use of condoms in heterosexual encounters on par with general population

50% young men ‘always’ used protection, regardless of partners gender

70% young women ‘never’ used protection in same sex encounters

Absence of basic knowledge about STI prevention for all but heterosexual sex

Sexuality Education

Information about heterosexual relationships and safe sex easily accessed

Information about homosexual relationships and safe sex was far more difficult to access: Lesbian safer sex information almost non-existent;

HIV/AIDS epidemic has increased visibility of safe sex info for gay men.

At school, little information and even less in the context of the family.

Dearth of information and education for students on sexual diversity

Drug Use

Far more likely to be using a number of illegal drugs than young people in the general population

11% had injected drugs, more young women Younger injecting drug users reported higher

levels of sharing equipment 30% had used party drugs eg. speed, ecstasy,

and LSD (acid) 62% had smoked marijuana, more young

women

Self-harm and Suicide Suicide currently accounts for 25% of deaths amongst people aged 12-

24 Australian researchers have found that same sex attracted young

people attempt suicide up to 4 times more than their heterosexual peers.

(Hillier et al 1998, Howard and Nicholas, 1999)

Gay youth were 3.8 times more likely to report having made a suicide attempt and reported significantly higher levels of suicide ideation

Suicide attempts among same-sex attracted young people are more likely to happen after they self-identify gay, but before they disclose that identity to anyone

Mean age for attempts was 15-17 (vs 19-23 in general pop.) Most frequently reported method of attempt - OD on drugs

“Are Gay Youth at Elevated Risk for Suicidal Behaviour?” Jonathon Nicholas (Reach Out), John Howard (Macquarie Uni.) 1997

Inclusive Practices

Why? The “risk zone”: After self-identification, before disclosure

Be aware of: Use of language: ‘us and them’;

homophobia Heterosexism in language,

curriculum/content, Confidentiality and implications of

disclosure of sexuality identity Social isolation

Inclusive Practices Assumptions:

Use inclusive language Don’t assume your audience is heterosexual

Language: Intervene against homophobia like racism and sexism Don’t use heterosexist or exclusive language

Resource yourself and be familiar with the issues and needs of GLBTI: Access to social networks and support services Safer sex information Relationships information

Inclusive Practices Confidentiality and disclosure:

Be positive and affirming Acknowledge the disclosure Always maintain the person’s right to control the use of

personal information Social isolation issues:

Mainstreaming sexual diversity Celebrating diversity Your role to facilitate social connection

Curriculum and content: Don’t contribute to invisibility, include diverse sexualities in

content

Useful contacts

Jellybabies – University based social group – 6125 3967 AIDS Action Council – information and ‘coming out’

workshops – 6257 2855 Police Gay & Lesbian Liaison Officers – 6256 7777 Lesbian Line – phone line and meetings- 0402 168 336 NSW Gay and Lesbian Counseling Service – 9207 2800 Twenty10 – service addressing GLBTI youth

homelessness – 1800 65 20 10