What are the experiences of same-sex attracted and gender diverse young people in Australia? Include analysis of family life, relationships, discrimination, and health outcomes.
Same-sex attracted and gender diverse young people in Australia are faced with a plethora of challenges when attempting to navigate life as a minority in a Heteronormative world. For the purpose of this essay, same-sex attracted and gender diverse young people is an inclusive term, used to reinforce that gender and sexuality are distinctive and multifaceted structures (Dempsey & Lindsay, 2014, p. 43). Specifically, being transgender or gender non-conforming describes those who have a gender identity that does not entirely correspond to their sex assigned at birth …show more content…
It is important to recognise discrimination as not only an issue on its own but a contributing factor to other aspects such as family life, relationships and health outcomes. Murray (2001) explains discrimination as influential on both individual and societal levels. In regards to sexual orientation, the society produces heterosexism, which can manifest as homophobia within the individual (p. 35). Homophobia is defined as fear or hatred towards homosexuals, bisexuals and transsexuals, based on the belief that homosexuality is unnatural, unhealthy or dangerous (Flood & Hamilton, 2005, p. 2). Murray (2011) blames the presence of sex-based discrimination and homophobia on the social framework of heterosexual dominance in which sexual identity is developed. Importantly, it is noted that members of society are surrounded by images of heterosexuality, with same-sex attracted and gender diverse youth being critically underrepresented in the media (Murray, 2011, p. 32). Considering the social context, it is foreseeable that Australians would view gender diversity and non-hetero sexual orientations as abnormal or deviant, thus leading to discriminatory behaviours. To investigate the prevalence of homophobia in Australia, 24,718 participants were interviewed, subsequently it was discovered that 35 per cent of the sample were homophobic, stating that homosexuality was immoral (Flood & …show more content…
In reference to data acquired by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, it appears that gender diverse and queer minorities within the population are severely under or misrepresented. A prominent example of this has been verbalised by Pallotta-Chiarolli & Lubowitz (2008), stating “very rarely do we read positive stories about a bisexually active man’s strategies of negotiating his sexual practices with his female and male partners” (p. 57). This reiterates that there is little to no media in regards to the positive portrayal of bisexual men and their sexual partners. This is further expounded by the affirmation that bisexual men are AIDS carriers, and the dominant misrepresentation, that all “bisexually active men engage in secret sexual relations with men; that all bisexually active men identify as bisexual rather than heterosexual or gay” (Pallotta-Chiarolli & Lubowitz, 2008, p. 57). Furthered by a lack of acceptance and understanding, it is generally well documented that gender diverse or same-sex attracted youth are more likely to be bullied about their actual or assumed sexual orientation and gender identity. Relayed by reports such as LGBT Bullying Statistics (2016), 42% of LGBT youth have experienced cyber bullying and 35% have received threats online. This toxic culture of homophobia and sex-based
Same-sex attracted and gender diverse young people in Australia are faced with a plethora of challenges when attempting to navigate life as a minority in a Heteronormative world. For the purpose of this essay, same-sex attracted and gender diverse young people is an inclusive term, used to reinforce that gender and sexuality are distinctive and multifaceted structures (Dempsey & Lindsay, 2014, p. 43). Specifically, being transgender or gender non-conforming describes those who have a gender identity that does not entirely correspond to their sex assigned at birth …show more content…
It is important to recognise discrimination as not only an issue on its own but a contributing factor to other aspects such as family life, relationships and health outcomes. Murray (2001) explains discrimination as influential on both individual and societal levels. In regards to sexual orientation, the society produces heterosexism, which can manifest as homophobia within the individual (p. 35). Homophobia is defined as fear or hatred towards homosexuals, bisexuals and transsexuals, based on the belief that homosexuality is unnatural, unhealthy or dangerous (Flood & Hamilton, 2005, p. 2). Murray (2011) blames the presence of sex-based discrimination and homophobia on the social framework of heterosexual dominance in which sexual identity is developed. Importantly, it is noted that members of society are surrounded by images of heterosexuality, with same-sex attracted and gender diverse youth being critically underrepresented in the media (Murray, 2011, p. 32). Considering the social context, it is foreseeable that Australians would view gender diversity and non-hetero sexual orientations as abnormal or deviant, thus leading to discriminatory behaviours. To investigate the prevalence of homophobia in Australia, 24,718 participants were interviewed, subsequently it was discovered that 35 per cent of the sample were homophobic, stating that homosexuality was immoral (Flood & …show more content…
In reference to data acquired by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, it appears that gender diverse and queer minorities within the population are severely under or misrepresented. A prominent example of this has been verbalised by Pallotta-Chiarolli & Lubowitz (2008), stating “very rarely do we read positive stories about a bisexually active man’s strategies of negotiating his sexual practices with his female and male partners” (p. 57). This reiterates that there is little to no media in regards to the positive portrayal of bisexual men and their sexual partners. This is further expounded by the affirmation that bisexual men are AIDS carriers, and the dominant misrepresentation, that all “bisexually active men engage in secret sexual relations with men; that all bisexually active men identify as bisexual rather than heterosexual or gay” (Pallotta-Chiarolli & Lubowitz, 2008, p. 57). Furthered by a lack of acceptance and understanding, it is generally well documented that gender diverse or same-sex attracted youth are more likely to be bullied about their actual or assumed sexual orientation and gender identity. Relayed by reports such as LGBT Bullying Statistics (2016), 42% of LGBT youth have experienced cyber bullying and 35% have received threats online. This toxic culture of homophobia and sex-based