LGBT stereotypes

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LGBT stereotypes are conventional, formulaic, generalizations, opinions, or images about gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered people based on their sexual orientation, or gender identity. Stereotypes may be learned through personal experience or indirect means; parents, teachers, peers or the mass media,[1] though lack of first hand experience tends to lead to more reliance on stereotypes.[2] Negative stereotyping is often a result of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia.[3] Positive stereotypes, or 'countertypes,' also exist but may be no less harmful, as they are still oversimplified views of the group being stereotyped.[4]

Contents

[edit] Homosexual men

Gay men are most often stereotyped as being effeminate[5], despite the fact that gender identity and sexual orientation are widely accepted to be distinct from each other.[6] The 'Flaming Queen' is a characterization that melds flamboyancy and effeminacy, making it almost the stock gay male character in Hollywood.[7] Theatre, specifically Broadway musicals, are a component to another stereotype, the 'Show Queen.'[8] The stereotype generalizes that all gay men listen to show tunes and are involved with the performing arts.

[edit] Appearance and mannerisms

In addition to being called effeminate, gay men are also identified with a lisp and/or a female-like tone and lilt.[9][10] Fashion, effeminacy and homosexuality have long been associated. A stereotype based on the visibility (within popular and consumer culture) of a reciprocal relationship between gay men and fashion; gay men who are visible in popular culture may purchase fashion as a means of expression; and gay men have high visibility within the industry creating said fashion.[11] This has become a countertype in recent years with the arrival in the mainstream of such shows as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.[12] The "Queer Eye" countertype has been criticized for it's use of stereotypes to create a false impression of groundbreaking progress while simply reinforcing old, patronizing identity scripts and convenient generalizations with questionable validity.[13] "Despite three decades of diversity, it appears that gay men are still best suited to be a) grooming gurus, b) fashion savants, c) food and wine connoisseurs, d) design doctors or e) culture vultures." -- John Lyttle from Wake up, Britain: we gays have moved on.
Some designers, such as Calvin Klein, have made use of homoerotic imagery in their advertising. This encourages the stereotype that all gay men enjoy the activity of shopping.[14]

[edit] Sex and relationships

A prevalent stereotype about gay men is that they are promiscuous and unsuccessful in developing enduring same-sex pair bonds. However, several surveys of gay men in the United States have shown that between 40 percent and 60 percent are involved in a steady relationship.[15] Research also suggests that a slightly higher proportion of lesbians than gay men may be in steady relationships.[16][17] Gay men are also often alleged as having pedophiliac tendencies and more likely to commit child sexual abuse than the heterosexual male population, a view rejected by mainstream psychiatric groups and contradicted by available research.[18]

A stereotype about gay men's social networks is that they are mainly composed of heterosexual women, lesbians, other gays, bisexuals, and transgendered people.[citation needed]

[edit] Homosexual women

Lesbians are most often seen as butch, femme or lipstick lesbians.[19] They are also stereotyped as being interested in traditionally masculine occupations such as construction, the military, law enforcement, or truck driving.[20] Feminists are often portrayed as lesbian due to their perceived misandry,[21] and as a result lesbians are often stereotyped as "man-haters"[22] or radical feminists.[23]

See also: U-Haul lesbian

[edit] Bisexual people

See also: Biphobia

Bisexuals are commonly stereotyped as promiscuous and deceitful,[24] or bisexuality may be seen as a temporary condition when under the influence of alcohol or other drugs [25]. They may be seen as being homosexuals who are either in denial or lying about their sexual orientation [26]. Conversely, there is a stereotype that "everyone is bisexual." [27]

[edit] Transgendered people

Transgender is an umbrella that encompasses a wide range of people with more specific identities; transsexual people, cross-dressers, drag queens, drag kings, masculine women, and feminine men. In a broad sense, the term "transgender" includes all people who fall outside of gender stereotypes.[28] The beliefs that transgendered people are all prostitutes and caricatures of men and women are common misconceptions. [29]

Transsexual women are often said to be tall and transsexual men short, while many MTFs and FTMs conform to this stereotype, it is by no means universal.[30]

Transvestites are often assumed to be homosexual. However, most transvestites are heterosexual.[31] Transvestism tends to have a fetishistic component whereas cross-dressing does not, although many people use the words interchangeably.[32]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Stangor, Charles (ed.) (2000). Stereotypes and Prejudice: Essential Readings. ISBN 0863775888. 
  2. ^ McCrady, Richard; Jean Mccrady (August 1976). "Effect of direct exposure to foreign target groups on descriptive stereotypes held by American students". Social Behavior and Personality 4 (2). 
  3. ^ The Face of Homophobia/Heterosexism. Carlton University Equity Services. Retrieved on April 7, 2007.
  4. ^ Nachbar, Jack; Kevin Lause (1992). Popular Culture: An Introductory Text. Bowling Green University Popular Press. ISBN 0879725729. 
  5. ^ Chrysler TV ad criticized for using gay stereotypes. The Advocate (2006-04-07). Retrieved on April 7, 2007.
  6. ^ Gender Identity and Expression Issues at Colleges and Universities. National Association of College and University Attorneys (2005-06-02). Retrieved on April 2, 2007.
  7. ^ http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FlamboyantGay
  8. ^ Clum, John M. (1999). "Something for the Boys: Musical Theater and Gay Culture". Modern Drama 43 (4). 
  9. ^ Mackenzie, Ian. "Dunk the faggot: A gay radio voice, back from hell", Xtra!, 2004-03-18. Retrieved on April 7, 2007.
  10. ^ Stuever, Hank. "Dishy Delight: Steven Cojocaru, a Glamour Boy in TV's Post-Gay Embrace", The Washington Post, 2003-04-19.
  11. ^ Fashion. glbtq. Retrieved on April 7, 2007.
  12. ^ Shott, Brian. "Straight Slobs of America, Resist the 'Queer Eye'", Pacific News Service, 2003-07-22. Retrieved on April 7, 2007.
  13. ^ Lyttle, John. "Wake up, Britain: we gays have moved on", New Statesman, 2004-08-30. Retrieved on April 7, 2007.
  14. ^ Tatchell, Peter. "Yobs for the boys", Tribune, 1996-08-16.
  15. ^ Jay, Karla; Young, Allen (1979). The gay report: Lesbians and gay men speak out about sexual experiences and lifestyles. New York: Summit. ISBN 0671400134. 
  16. ^ Garnets, Linda D.; Douglas C. Kimmel (1993). Psychological Perspectives on Lesbian and Gay Male Experiences. Columbia University Press. ISBN 0231078854. 
  17. ^ Marech, Rona. "Gay couples can be as stable as straights, evidence suggests", San Francisco Chronicle, 2004-02-27. Retrieved on April 7, 2007.
  18. ^ Buchanan, Wyatt. "Foley incident stirs up a stereotype about gay men", 2006-10-07. Retrieved on April 7, 2007.
  19. ^ Lesbian Interests: (Stereo?) Types?. GaySouthAfrica.org. Retrieved on April 7, 2007.
  20. ^ Pope, Mark; Bob Barret, Dawn M. Szymanski, Y. Barry Chung, Hemla Singaravelu, Ron McLean, Samuel Sanabria (December 2004). "Culturally appropriate career counseling". Retrieved on 2007-04-07. 
  21. ^ One Purpose, Many Voices. Retrieved on April 7, 2007.
  22. ^ Facts About Gay and Lesbian Victims. Crime Victim Services. Retrieved on April 7, 2007.
  23. ^ Feminism? You want feminism?. FathersForLife.org. Retrieved on April 7, 2007.
  24. ^ Yoshino, Kenji (2000). "The Epistemic Contract of Bisexual Erasure". Stanford Law Review 52 (2): 353-461. 
  25. ^ Lynsen, Joshua (2006-08-05). ‘Party bisexual’ phenom draws mixed reviews. FrenchSoiree.com. Retrieved on April 7, 2007.
  26. ^ Creager, Cindi (2005-07-07). New York Times Promotes Bisexual Stereotypes in "Straight, Gay or Lying?". Retrieved on April 7, 2007.
  27. ^ Myths About Bisexuality (PDF). Retrieved on April 7, 2007.
  28. ^ Currah, Paisley; Richard M. Juang; Shannon Price Minter (eds) (2007). Transgender Rights. ISBN 0-8166-4312-1. 
  29. ^ Transgendered Youth at Risk for Exploitation, HIV, Hate Crimes. Inter-Q-Zone (1995). Retrieved on April 7, 2007.
  30. ^ Green, Jamison (June 2004). Becoming a Visible Man. ISBN 0-8265-1457-X. 
  31. ^ Feinbloom, Deborah Heller (1976). Transvestites & transsexuals: Mixed views. Delacorte Press/S. Lawrence. ISBN 0440085136. 
  32. ^ Transgender FAQ. Retrieved on April 7, 2007.
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