Psychology of Sexual Orientation Exam #3

reasons for coming out

1. It can improve interpersonal relationships 2. It enhances one's physical and mental health 3. Can help change societies` attitudes

Stressors for LGBTQ Youth

80% verbal assault 45% threats of violence 35% objects thrown at them 32% chased or followed 23% sexual assault 19% physical violence 15% spat on

open relationship

A relationship in which partners agree that sexual involvement can occur outside the relationship

Power and control wheel

Coercion and threat Intimidation Emotional abuse Isolation Denying minimizing blaming Using children as pawns Using privilege Economic abuse

types of workplace atmospheres

Conservative- straight laced and not out in all likelihood Liberal- accepting of LGBT and most likely open about it "Ghetto"- patterns of migration working within community and out in the community non profit world

D'Augelli's Model

Exiting heterosexual identity- Recognition that one's feelings and attractions are not heterosexual as well as telling others that one is lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Developing a personal lesbian/gay/bisexual identity status- A "sense of personal socio-affectional stability that effectively summarizes thoughts, feelings, and desires" (D'Augelli 1994). One must also challenge internalized myths about what it means to be gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Developing a personal identity status must be done in relationship with others who can confirm ideas about what it means to be nonheterosexual. Developing a lesbian/gay/bisexual social identity- Creating a support network of people who know and accept one's sexual orientation. Determining people's true reactions can take time. Reactions may also change over time and with changing circumstances. Becoming a lesbian/gay/bisexual offspring- Disclosing one's identity to parents and redefining one's relationship after such disclosure. D'Augelli noted that establishing a positive relationship with one's parents can take time but is possible with education and patience. This developmental process is particularly troublesome for many college students who depend on their parents for financial as well as emotional support. Developing a lesbian/gay/bisexual intimacy status- This is a more complex process than achieving an intimate heterosexual relationship because of the invisibility of lesbian and gay couples in our society. "The lack of cultural scripts directly applicable to lesbian/gay/bisexual people leads to ambiguity and uncertainty, but it also forces the emergence of personal, couple-specific, and community norms, which should be more personally adaptive" (D'Augelli, 1994). Entering a lesbian/gay/bisexual community- Making varying degrees of commitment to social and political action. Some individuals never take this step; others do so only at great personal risk, such as losing their jobs or housing.

Myth #1 homosexuals don't want enduring relationships and can't have them anyway

Facts- 40-60% of gay men are in committed relationships 45-80% of lesbian women are in committed relationships. Many relationships are happy and stable. Some people may keep their relationship status under wraps from mainstream culture cause they fear being labeled as " dysfunctional or abnormal. Homophobia causes significant stress to LGBT relationships

Myth #3 "husband" and "wife" roles are universal in intimate relationships.

Facts- Same-sex relationships tend to be more egalitarian than those of their opposite sex counterparts. Gay men and lesbians aren't constrained ( or guided) by the gender and relationship " scripts" of our culture. Historically butch and femme relationships among women were more common, because that was one of the few accepted ways of being "out" Some elements of gay/lesbian relationships are similar to heterosexual relationships. Gay/straight men tens to value physical attraction and sex. Lesbian/ straight women tend to value personality characteristics and intimacy.

Myth #2 Gay relationships are unhappy, abnormal and dysfunctional

Facts- There is a wider acceptance of a variety of relationships within the LBT community including open relationships and polyamorous relationships. Lesbians and gay men experience higher breakup rates than their heterosexual counterparts.

Lisa Diamond

First to study temporal change in sexuality longitudinally over a ten year period. Defining feature of female sexual orientation is fluidity, or situation-dependent flexibility in women's sexual responsiveness

Weinberg's bisexual identity development model

Initial confusion- Confusion and doubt regarding sexual identity. Having strong feelings for both sexes but inability to categorize those feelings Finding applying the label-The discovery of the label " bisexual "First sexual experience coupled with recognition of sex being pleasurable with both sexes Settling into the identity-Self labeling and self acceptance Continued Uncertainty- Intermittent periods of doubt and uncertainty. Lack of balanced sexual desires and behaviors resulting in doubt about being "really" bisexual. Continued uncertainty

How is LGBT abuse different from heterosexual abuse

LGBT abuse often assumed to be mutual Using services may force victim to come out Telling straight people about the abuse may reinforce the myth that LGBT relationships are " abnormal" LGBT survivors may not know other LGBT individuals other than partner which means leaving the abuser could result in total isolation. Finances intertwined may not be legal process to fairly divide LGBT community could be small so anonymity may not be an option

Myth #4 Gays and Lesbians have impoverished social support networks

LGBT individuals are often very successful in creating social support for themselves. Friends may be more heavily relied upon than biological family members

Trans Identity development Model

Phase 1- Developing an awareness of being different- Managing internal feelings of gender confusion. Developing a full awareness that ones' internal ( psychological) gender is different from the physical body. Phase 2- Externalizing feelings of gender confusion and disclosing to others and ( potentially) accessing professional assistance and making decisions regarding treatment. Phase 3- Acclimatizing to a new life. Psychological adjustment to decisions made regarding gender identity and any subsequent lifestyle changes.

Coleman's Model of coming out to others

Pre-coming out-feeling there is something different about yourself but not always knowing what that feeling is. Coming out- acknowledgement of feelings of homosexuality and telling someone those feelings. Reaction here is very important and powerful in how the individual feels about themselves going forward. Exploration-This stage of experimenting with a new sexual identity is akin to the heterosexual adolescent's first major experience of sexual activity with others. However, most individuals with same-sex preference do not experience adolescence in their teenage years. There is a developmental lag in their sexual adolescence, which can be confusing or even frightening to persons who have otherwise matured intellectually, vocationally and financially. First Relationship- After a period of sexual and social experimentation, exploration can lose its intrigue, and needs for intimacy and a stable, committed relationship then become important. Integration- This is an open-ended, ongoing process that will last the rest of one's life. Such an integrated identity usually takes from 10 to 14 years after the first awareness of same-sex feelings. New feelings will emerge; new relationships will be enjoyed. This stage is characterized by non-possessiveness, mutual trust, freedom, and greater success.

Gay marriage

Pro marriage fundamental civil right Gay marriage would protect same sex relationships and ensure health and longevity Cons Marriage natural right based on biological needs of procreation not a civil right Gay marriage violates religious teachings Marriage building block of civilization and gay marriage is a threat to family values

Identity development in LGB people of color

Stage1 Status Quo Stage 2 Awareness of Allegiance Stage 3 Dilemma in Allegiance State 4 Selective Allegiance Stage 5 Integrating Identities

Polyfidelity

all individuals in a polyamorous group only engage in sexual activity with members of the group.

Sexual Fluidity

changes that occur over time in sexual attraction, identity, or behavior

choosing not to come out

discretion- refraining from disclosing personal information to others concealment- actively preventing others from acquiring information about self fabrication-deliberately providing false information to others. All of these strategies enable the person to pass.

quad

four people involved in a relationship not necessarily with each other

triad

group of three people that are in a relationship with each other in some way

comparing same sex and different sex relationships

heterosexual relationships household labor more likely done by women than men. Same sex relationships more egalitarian. In heterosexual relationships there is a larger wage gap but in same sex relationships couples usually hold jobs of equal prestige and usually earn close to the same amount. Other research has shown that heterosexual relationships work in the same way as homosexual relationships.

Vivienne Cass model

identity confusion- Could I be gay or lesbian? identity comparison-Maybe I am gay or lesbian Identity tolerance-coming out to yourself Identity acceptance-I am gay or lesbian Identity Pride-I am gay or lesbian " hear me roar" political activism all or nothing attitude Identity synthesis-I am gay or lesbian but that's just one part of who I am.

Polyamory

intentional acceptance of one's partner having sexual relations with someone else, typically for a significant period of time

the "new" gay teenager according to Savin Williams

less involved in political activism? less likely to fit the image of suffering suicidal Live in a youth culture that is more nonchalant about diverse sexualities Are more flexible creative and critical thinking about labels.

non monogamous

not in a relationship with one person

vee

one central involved with two other people that are not involved with each other

Problems with linear models of identity development

one size fits all approach doesn't apply to everyone

Butch and femme

roles lesbians took on to represent male and female in relationships one of the only ways lesbian relationships were accepted in the 1950's

Monogamy

the practice of having only one sexual partner or spouse at a time