- Agency - is the capacity of an actor (a person or other entity, human or any living being in general) to act in any given environment. Agency may either be classified as unconscious, involuntary behavior, or purposeful, goal directed activity (intentional action).
- Essentialism - is the view that for any specific entity there is a set of attributes which are necessary to its identity and function.
- Privilege - a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group.
- Marginalization - is the social disadvantage and relegation to the fringe of society. Social marginalization is the process in which individual of people are systematically blocked from (or denied full access to) various rights, opportunities and resources that are normally available to members of a different group, and which are fundamental to social integration within that particular group (e.g., housing, employment, healthcare, civic engagement, democratic participation, and due process).
- Power
- Need to use 2 or more of the recommended readings
- How the media portrays queer people (2)*
- How the internet is important to the queer community (3)*
- A little history on the queer community (1)*
Same sex behaviours have always been part of history but the term homosexual was used more commonly in the mid-19th century. The terms queer, gay and lesbian followed soon after. (Laurie, Evans) "Once the term ‘queer’ was at best, slang for homosexual, at worst, a term of homophobic abuse. In recent years ‘queer’ has come to be used differently, sometimes as an umbrella term for a coalition of culturally marginal sexual self-identifications" (Jagose, page 1) These terms made it easier to identify the queer minority group, which meant that they could be subjected to mass stereotyping and misrepresentation through many media outlets. The large difference in power between people of different sexualities, is seen through the media representation in movies, TV shows, books, magazines etc. Therefore the role models that younger people have are predominately straight in sexuality, which means that it is shown that straight is normal and anything but is abnormal. This is even though there is a representation of queer people in the media, but less than there should be to normalise it. Despite this misuse of media outlets, queer people use them to form communities that span over continents and languages for when people don't feel comfortable with their own current situations.
"In Western countries the move from the farm to the city allowed homosexuals who had little contact with one another to meet. As gays urbanized, they organised. Formal organizing started May 1897 with the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee." (Sloan) The proximity of living in a city with more queer people meant that they could start movements and events in their cause which was to find equality for themselves amongst their straight peers. This led to the opening of many 'gay' bars that where there to provide a place for queer people without discrimination. These bars weren't fully accepted by the public and this is seen through the raid on on bar called the Stonewall Inn. "The police were legally justified in raiding the club, which was serving liquor without a license among other violations, New York’s gay community had grown weary of the police department targeting gay clubs, a majority of which had already been closed." (History.com Staff) This raid sparked the Stonewall Riots in which many people, queer and straight alike fought against the police, throwing bottles and forming a mob. "After the Stonewall Riots, the gay and lesbian movement was radicalised. The more cautious Mattachine Society and Daughters of Bilitus were replaced by groups like the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activist Alliance." (Sloan) This meant that the movements now were forceful and making themselves been seen and paid attention to by the public. These movements were making great progress in pushing for equality in the way queer people were treated and fighting against discrimination in the workforce. (too many quotes, more paraphrasing)
"Growing up gay is always a challenge in the straight world." (Taylor, pg 81) Sexuality is always assumed to be straight until told or shown otherwise, therefore it is hard to grow up knowing that you aren't normal. That you aren't like everyone else no matter how hard you try. The fact that children are bullied and picked on for being different, this is why it is harder to grow up queer or questioning. This is reinforced by the uncommonness of gay couples appearing on television, and the reactions that many people, on and off the screen, have to them. Straight couples are seen as the default for the media, and when it is something different, it is seen as a big deal. "Recent visibility of homosexuality in the macro culture (such as the media), the reality of a very vocal and extensive gay and lesbian culture, and the presence of homosexuality in their immediate social world." (Gross, pg 8) Children are more accustomed to seeing this because it is becoming more comfortable for gay couples to be open in public and for people to come out to their families and friends. "Today, its likely that young people will know about homosexuality at an early age. Given the emergence of gay people onto society’s public stage, the mass media." (Gross, pg 8) The presence of queer people in the media would be neutral except for how the media portrays them. There are two very contrasting presentations of queer people. On one side they are seen to fulfil their strong stereotypes in traditionally fictitious films and such. Gay men being viewed as 'fabulous' and very camp, filling roles such as; the girl's gay best friend who helps them shop and gossips too much or wedding planners or other roles which require attention to fashion or other 'girly' things. Whereas lesbian women are viewed as masculine; driving trucks, playing sport or just in general being like a man. And their roles in fiction are narrower in their versatility, they play many variations of the butch lesbian. Lea DeLaria talks about the roles she has played in film and TV shows. “Usually, in a breakdown it says ‘androgynous, masculine, short-hair. Truck driver with masculine energy.’ Sometimes it does say ‘butch.’ On occasion, it says ‘butch lesbian,’ but they try and not use those two words.” Therefore gay men and lesbian women are give strict roles in the traditional media but in all types of media, there is a change being seen. This is where queer people are given their own voice through interviews, hosting talk shows, directing movies, writing scripts etc. Through this, the queer representation in a few certain outlets are becoming more correct and less stereotypical, and there are more sexualities being portrayed than just gay and lesbian.
"Queer youth often feel isolated and rarely have access to a supportive queer community in their vicinity." (Gross, pg 9) It is harder for younger people to find support in their already established friend or family groups, which means they feel like they are the only ones going through this confusing time. They are in need of queer support communities that are usually nonexistent or hard to find without help. "The potential for friendship and group formation provided by the Internet is particularly valuable for members of self-identified minorities who are scattered and often besieged in their home surroundings." (Gross, pg 9) The internet has created opportunities for queer support groups to develop with the leadership of older people who have experienced what younger people are going through. Therefore this medium of media has been influential in the creation of groups of likeminded queer people who go on to willingly help others and create their own communities whether on the internet or in person. Access to the internet gives people who wouldn't have known about the queer communities around them, a way to join them and have personal help. "Cyberspace also provides a gathering point for millions of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transvestites and other(s) who may be reluctant to associate in public." (Gross, pg 9) The internet has safe neutral places where these communities can communicate without being in the view of the public eye or any people that don't support the queer community. This allows for the queer communities to grow in their respective areas and then move into the outside world and organise events etc.
Queer youth are surrounded by many different expressions of what a queer person is and what they should be. These views are impressed upon young people through media platforms such as movies, television, social media etc and they create confusing situations for the youth. But there have been queer groups created online to help and support people in these confusing situations to alleviate the feelings of being alone or excluded.
Queer youth are surrounded by many different expressions of what a queer person is and what they should be. These views are impressed upon young people through media platforms such as movies, television, social media etc and they create confusing situations for the youth. But there have been queer groups created online to help and support people in these confusing situations to alleviate the feelings of being alone or excluded.
