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This book reviews research studies on the perceptions, discrimination and acceptance based on sexual orientation. The first chapter begins with an overview of social reaction, etiological perceptions and spiritual perspectives in LGBTQ Mormons. Chapter Two studies an attempt to integrate theoretical models and provides a review of the empirical evidence of impression formation of applicants differing in sexual orientation. Chapter Three compares the mental health of those who live in neighborhoods with relatively high concentrations of sexual minorities to that of those who live in neighborhoods with relatively low concentrations. Chapter Four tests the initiation of a self-regulatory cycle for avoidance of future homonegative behavior.

“How do I prove I'm gay?” This is the central question for many refugee claimants who are claiming asylum on the basis of sexual orientation persecution. But what are the inherent challenges in obtaining this proof? How is the system that assesses this predicated upon homonormative frameworks and nervous borders? What is the impact of gender, race and class? What is an ‘authentic'sexual or gender identity and how can it be performed?Real Queer? is an ethnographic examination of the Canadian refugee apparatus analysing the social, cultural, political and affective dimensions of a legal and bureaucratic process predicated on separating the ‘authentic'from the ‘bogus'LGBT refugee. Through interviews, conversations and participant observation with various participants ranging from refugee claimants to their lawyers, Refugee Protection Division staff and local support group workers, it reveals the ways in which sexuality simultaneously disrupts and is folded into the nation-state's dynamic modes of gate-keeping, citizenship and identity-making, and the uneven effects of these discourses and practices on this category of transnational migrants.

In recent years, national and international medical and mental health associations typically have emphasized the potential harmfulness of professional care for unwanted same-sex attraction and behavior (SSA or homosexuality). During 2012 and 2013, state legislatures in the U.S. and legislative bodies in other countries either have passed or are considering passing laws which would penalize professionals who provided professional care for unwanted SSA - to minors and/or adults - the loss of the license to practice. This paper was written as a response to the present situation in the United Kingdom. The paper reviews the universal ethics of all medical and mental health professionals to avoid harm and do good (non-maleficence/malfeasance and beneficence); discusses the documented potential for harm when using every mental health treatment for every presenting problem; clarifies steps taken by the Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity (ATCSI) and its international division, the International Federation for Therapeutic Choice (IFTC), to promote ethical professional care for unwanted SSA; clarifies the injustice and presumed ideological biases of the medical and mental health associations'warning about the potential for harm for psychotherapy only for unwanted SSA and not all approaches; and documents that the research purporting to show this harmfulness, in the research authors own words, does not do so. Recommendations to promote scientific integrity in the conduct and reporting of relevant research are offered.

Enhances our understanding of “coming out,” shedding new light on the changing dynamics of sexual identity.

Sexual orientation and gender identity are separate, distinct parts of people's overall identity. Equality and freedom from discrimination are human rights belonging to all people, however, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse and intersex (LGBTI) people experience harassment and hostility in many areas of everyday life. Under recently enacted Australian law it is illegal to discriminate against a person on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status. Same-sex couples are now also protected from discrimination under the definition of ‘marital or relationship status'. This book explores issues involving sexual orientation, gender diversity and intersex status; and explains what equality means for people who are often subjected to misunderstanding and homophobia. Also includes: worksheets and activities, fast facts, glossary, web links, index. Titles in the Issues in Society series are individual resource books which provide an overview on a specific subject comprised of facts and opinions. The information in this resource book is not from any single author, publication or organisation. The unique value of the Issues in Society series lies in its diversity of content and perspectives. The content comes from a wide variety of sources and includes: newspaper reports and opinion pieces, website fact sheets, magazine and journal articles, statistics and surveys, government reports, and literature from special interest groups.

This collection examines recent theoretical and methodological debates, shifts in law and policy, and social and cultural changes around sexuality. It sets out new ways of conceptualizing and researching sexuality and explores persistently marginalised and re-traditionalised sexual practices, subjectivities and identities.

Unser Körper ist ein Bündel verschiedenster Techniken und Praxen, die einen Zusammenhang zwischen unseren biologischen Geschlechtsmerkmalen, unserer Geschlechtsidentität und unserem Begehren herstellen. Lange wurde in der Geschlechterforschung versucht die Eigenschaften unserer Geschlechtsidentität dem Biologischen zuzuschreiben, so dass scheinbar alle Differenzen zwischen den beiden Geschlechtern aus einem Biokörper abgeleitet werden können. Dieser Sichtweise nach existieren Unterschiede zwischen männlichen und weiblichen Körpern vor allem aufgrund von Verhaltensweisen, die in diesen Körpern genetisch/biologisch verankert sind. Sowohl der weibliche als auch der männliche Körper ist jedoch eine Existenzweise, die sich durch verschiedenste Felder unseres Lebens zieht. Eine große Rolle bei der Definition eines weiblichen bzw. männlichen Körpers spielen dabei die Sprache, das Verhalten, die Gestik/Mimik und weitere kleinere Unterscheidungsmerkmale. Körper, die sich nicht eindeutig der zweigeschlechtlichen Kategorisierung unterordnen lassen, sich gar den Begriffen Frau/Mann entziehen, stiften Verwirrung und entziehen sich der gesellschaftlichen Heteronormativität, die nur zwei Geschlechter zulässt. Unser Gesellschaftssystem ist durchzogen von diesem Zwang zur Zweigeschlechtlichkeit, welcher durch Unterdrückung und tägliche Diskriminierung die'natürliche'Ordnung immer wieder bestätigt. Dadurch erfolgt tägliche Ab- und Ausgrenzung des scheinbar'Anderen'. Vor diesem Hintergrund geht die vorliegende Studie der Frage nach, ob wir durch die dekonstruktivistische Queer-Perspektive das bisherige Denken in bipolaren Geschlechterkonstrukten auflösen und somit zu einem offeneren, freieren Begriff von Geschlecht gelangen können. Im ersten Kapitel des Buches wird dazu der bisherige Gender-Diskurs aus'queerer'Sicht beleuchtet und die Hauptmerkmale herausgearbeitet. Das zweite Kapitel vertieft dann die Queer-Theorie und zeigt die politischen Strategien auf, die es erlauben, den Gender-Diskurs aus der Zwangsheterosexualität und somit dem binären Geschlechterdenken herauszuführen. Anhand der Queer-Theorien als politische Konzepte werden Möglichkeiten zum Umgang mit Differenz und Vielfalt in Gesellschaften aufgezeigt. Hierzu soll abschließend der Ansatz von Judith Butler zur'Genderperformance'- dem Spiel mit den Geschlechterrollen und Entwicklung von neuen Identitäten - herangezogen werden. Zielsetzung der Studie ist es, Barrieren abzubauen und den sozialisierten Denkprozess über die Frage'Was gilt als natürliches Geschlecht?'anzuregen und zu hinterfragen. Ziel ist es dabei sich vom bipolaren, heteronormativen Geschlechterdenken zu lösen und zu einer selbstdefinierten Geschlechtsidentität zu gelangen.

Written in an accessible and clear manner, Sexualities in Context presents focused overviews and explorations of some of the most timely issues in the social construction of sex. This brief text is suitable for courses with coverage of gender and sexuality in sociology, psychology, women's and gender studies, and human development. The only book of its kind to address sexualities from a social perspective, Plante's analysis of the context of sexuality, sexual behaviors, and identities is both intelligent and readable. With contemporary topics, such as'hooking up,'sexual fantasies, and bisexualities, along with examples of how to apply critical thinking, students are empowered to think outside their comfort zones and encouraged to explore the topic of sex in a new context. Employing useful pedagogical features like end-of-chapter questions and suggested projects, this is the ideal text to help students see that sex is not only personal but social and political as well.