Is society less biased toward lesbians than toward gay
males?
Resources used to support "yes."
Gays and lesbians are constantly subjected to discrimination by
society. Many people are uncomfortable with the thought of two
women or two men having an intimate relationship like heterosexual
couples. Even though homosexuality is still a taboo, lesbians are
more accepted by society than are gay males. In the media,
intimacy between two women is often portrayed as a "turn on,"
whereas intimacy between two men is usually portrayed as awkward
and strange. The episode of the sitcom Roseanne in which
two women kissed was highly rated. But an episode with two gay men
in Thirtysomething set off an uproar - but these men barely
touched and never kissed each other! Subtle differences in public
perceptions may help society tolerate lesbianism while it views gay
men more negatively. [LaLaunie Hayes]
WWW
-
Survey: Male bisexuals less accepted than females by Steven
Cook (Daily Iowan).
A survey with undergraduates from the University of
Iowa shows more acceptance of lesbians. [Recommended by LaLaunie
Hayes.]
- Why
lesbians aren't gay by Steve Sailer (National Review).
This article lists opposing gay male and lesbian
tendencies. [Recommended by LaLaunie Hayes.]
- Muffin Spencer-Devlin Tees Off by Chiqui
Cartagena and Claudia Manley.
This article is about Muffin Spencer-Devlin, the first
openly gay woman in the LPGA. She decided that it was time to take
a stand and stop living in the closet. Luckily, she received more
support than harassment from her colleagues. [Recommended by
LaLaunie Hayes.]
- GLAAD
thrilled by unprecedented number of gay entertainers and gay
inclusive images honored with Golden Globe nominations by Liz
Tracey.
This article states that gays are finally getting
Golden Globe nomination - they received 16 out of a total of 24
nominations. The author states that gays have never been so
accepted and recognized by this award show and the organization
GLAAD feels that this is a big step for the gay community.
[Recommended by LaLaunie Hayes.]
Journal Articles
- Rosch, Leah. 1997. A change of heart. American Health for
Women, 16:66-67.
An increasing number of women are finding true love with
other women after years of living as heterosexual wives and
mothers. [Recommended by LaLaunie Hayes.]
- Brophy, Beth. 1990. Books by and about gays find a niche in
big-time publishing. U.S. News and World Report, 108:42-43.
Once confined to struggling independent presses, gay and
lesbian literature has become one of the book industry's most lucrative
niches, thanks in part to an increasing acceptance of alternative
lifestyles. [Recommended by LaLaunie Hayes.]
- Cowan, Noah. 1992. Out on the screen. Utne Reader,
May/June '92:30.
Articles in the 1992 Sundance Film Festival catalog,
the December 1991 Cineaste, and February 1992 Out!
discuss the debate over how gay issue and characters should be
portrayed in films. [Recommended by LaLaunie Hayes.]
