NCJ Number
134563
Date Published
1992
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses psychological heterosexism -- the manifestation of heterosexism in individuals' attitudes and actions -- and its role in violence against lesbians and gay men.
Abstract
The paper focuses on how psychological and situational factors affect the attitudes and behaviors of heterosexual persons. The discussion is based on the assumptions that psychological heterosexism and anti-gay violence are often functional for the person who manifests them; the principal function served by these attitudes and actions differs for each person, depending on his/her psychological needs; and the translation of individual needs into anti-gay attitudes and behaviors involves a complex interaction of deep-seated personality characteristics, salient aspects of the immediate situation, and cultural definitions of sexuality and gender. "Coming out" to heterosexuals is perhaps the most powerful strategy that lesbians and gay men have to overcome psychological heterosexism and anti-gay violence. When lesbians and gay men disclose their sexual orientation to their relatives, friends, neighbors, and coworkers, the discriminatory attitudes of heterosexism are most likely to change. Homosexuality will then no longer be viewed by heterosexuals as a condition symbolic of deviance and immorality, as they realize that homosexual persons share with heterosexual persons a common core of feelings, values, needs, and aspirations. 8 notes and 24 references