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Ana Sofia Ruiz

ENG 101

Dr. Karla Murphy

22 November 2023

Fighting Against Sexual Prejudice

More than Just an “LGBTQ+ Issue”

Curation Statement

When interacting with individuals, assumptions can be made about their personality;

however, whether subconscious or conscious, assumptions about their race, gender, and sexuality

can also be made. Assumptions are usually on the basis of physical appearance (e.g. type of

clothes, masculine or feminine presenting, etc.), social circles, and even their mannerisms. Biases

and prejudices are often formed on the basis of said assumptions–societal norms, values, and

stereotypes are also influential–ultimately shaping behaviors and attitudes toward the individual.

Additionally, experiences–whether positive or negative–with a member of a particular social

group (i.e. gender, race, sexuality) can form biases and prejudices as well. However, how the

biases and prejudices are applied (i.e. covertly or overtly) play a significant role in perpetuating a

cycle of discrimination and inequality.

As a queer non-binary individual, I have gone through unique experiences in different

social climates on the basis of my presumed sexual and gender identity. Oftentimes, I “benefit”

from heterosexism–the cultural ideology that perpetuates sexual stigma (Herek 15). Meaning,

because I am perceived as a woman, I am presumed to be heterosexual and therefore use it to my

advantage to avoid discrimination (e.g. microaggression, bullying, etc.). However, I have

generally been vocal about my identities so I have experienced various forms of sexual

prejudice.

I will be using Etengoff and Lefevor’s definition of sexual prejudice: “internalization of

negative attitudes and cultural stigma toward sexual minorities, [non-heterosexual] desires,

behaviors, and communities.'' I am concerned with misconceptions of non-heterosexual

individuals and how ingrained they are into policies. I am interested in exploring how

intersectionality influences how sexual prejudice is expressed. Additionally, I aim to bring

visibility to other non-heterosexual’s experiences with sexual prejudice as LGBTQ+ issues and

how it hinders their perception. The sources I have curated all aim to stop sexual prejudice

against non-heterosexuals mostly through visibility of an individual's experiences.

Sources

Herek’s article explores the coined term “homophobia,” as it is used to describe the

discrimination that non-heterosexual individuals face. However, it does not accurately reflect

antigay hostility. Homophobia–using the word’s Greek’s roots– “literally [means] fear of

sameness…but because ‘homo’ is used as a derogatory term for gay people in American slang

(Boswell, 1993), most listeners…” attribute the term to homosexuals (Herek 9). This article

provides insight on how to challenge what is widely accepted to develop a deeper understanding

of non-heterosexual individual’s experiences. Herek’s discussion on breaking the term into three

constructs–sexual stigma, heterosexism, and sexual prejudice–offers implications on society’s

understanding of how antigay hostility is expressed.

This article explores sexism, sexual prejudice, and its relationship with religion,

particularly how religion can influence the development of sexual prejudice. Queerness is often

associated with sinfulness (Herek 9) which has caused tensions between the LGBTQ+
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community and religious communities. However, as Etengoff and Lefevor find, “though sexism

and sexual prejudice are significantly associated with religion on an aggregate level, this

relationship is not universally or consistently expressed by individuals. For example, some

highly religious individuals maintain supportive relationships with sexual minority family

members” (Etengoff and Lefevor, 46). There is a sense of complexity in this discussion as it

challenges the prenotion that a religious and sexual identity cannot be paired. It ultimately offers

valuable insights into considering intersectionality as it hinders how sexual prejudice is

experienced.

Kieth Haring was a gay artist who created works of art specifically to give visibility to

the impacts of the AIDs epidemic on the LGBTQ+ community. I selected this piece to provide

historical context on how biases and prejudices (sexual prejudice) can spread societally and

cause detrimental effects on non-heterosexual individuals. Kieth displays how the United States

government and health institutions failed to properly address the epidemic suggesting that issues

that pertain to non-heterosexual individuals are their own problem to solve. Additionally, it

underscores how medicalization is not a useful tool for discussing non-heterosexual issues. His

usage of bright colors gives an alarming tone to the piece, implying the urgent need for empathy,

understanding, and societal change.

This online news article mainly focuses on discussing the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. It

specifically focuses on the misconception on how speaking on sexual and gender identity in the

classroom is a form of indoctrination to the kids. Interestingly, Hesse notes how buzzwords are

used to instill fear and prejudices against non-heterosexual individuals. “...Homophobia makes

people believe a lot of strange, awful things. Whatever the case, the word 'groomer' seems to be

part of a rhetorical shock campaign designed to end conversations, not to facilitate them"
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(Hesse). This article indicates the need for nuanced discussions between non-heterosexual and

heterosexual individuals to develop a complex understanding of sexual and gender identity.

On a smaller scale now, sexual prejudice can hinder how non-heterosexual’s identities

are perceived. More specifically, @tblizzy on TikTok is in response to a video of a woman

explaining how she would not date a bisexual man because she was not into feminine men. The

creator discusses how men liking men is seen as an inherently feminine trait and the added factor

that the bisexual man the original video was referring to was a black man only further negatively

hinders his experience. She explains how the “black man” identity is associated with

hypermasculinity; meaning, a “feminine trait” like bisexuality does not fit (@tblizzy). This video

exemplifies the importance of intersectionality in the experience of sexual prejudice.

This online news article discusses the health disparities as well as the sexual prejudice in

medical settings towards non-heterosexual individuals. Because of sexual prejudice, it has

limited the access to medical care for non-heterosexual individuals. Although not discussed

within the article, it is important to consider that failed medical care trips may result in distrust in

the medical field. In medical settings, heterosexual couples are often not “questioned about

who’s allowed in the hospital room" unlike non-heterosexual individuals (Phillips). This portrays

how casual, yet pervasive sexual prejudice can be expressed. With sexual prejudice,

heteronormative assumptions can inadvertently implement hurdles for non-heterosexual

individuals.

This site provides data on LGBTQ+ individuals in Arizona and the ways they have

experienced stigma and discrimination in schools, jobs, health services, and housing.

Additionally, it provides insight into the impact that this has on LGBTQ+ adults and youth

respectively. For this source, I particularly wanted to focus on the experience of LGBTQ+ youth
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in schools. “Of LGBT students who were bullied or harassed at school, only 44% of students

reported the incident to school staff. Less than one third (31%) of those who reported bullying or

harassment to staff said that it resulted in effective intervention” (Mallory et al., 29). 44%

implies that there is a fear of a negative response from the staff possibly from the sexual

prejudice their experience from their peers. This is crucial, as it raises flags as to the impact that

not only sexual prejudice has on the individual, but whether sexual prejudice is even addressed.

This magazine talks about how LGBTQ+ rights can not move forward without a systemic

change. Encarnación explores three key events important to LGBTQ+ history: the Lavender

Scare (“President Dwight Eisenhower…banning ‘perverts’ from working in the federal

government), “don’t ask, don’t tell” (“forced gays and lesbians to keep their homosexuality a

secret if they wished to remain in the military”) and Obergefell v. Hodges (Supreme Court case

that legalized gay marriage and sparked “‘Christian victimization’)” (Encarnación). These events

exemplify how the United States government has often been the one to instill sexual prejudice.

Through concentrated effort to these systemic barriers, it can improve the overall quality of life

of a non-heterosexual individual.

This podcast explores Keke Palmer's and Jonathan Van Ness' interpretation of the "Gay

Agenda"--a term to refer to the normalization of LGBTQ+ issues with the intent of "turning

people gay" (often used by sexual prejudiced individuals to discredit LGBTQ+ rights

movements) ("What Really is the 'The Gay Agenda'?"). Keke Palmer says in response, "...the

only agenda, is that people stop being beaten, bullied, murdered and pushed to the point of

suicide". This brings light to a double standard that is often held with sexual prejudice–

underscoring the issue’s complexity. Van Ness connects this idea of there being a "double

standard" (in the normalization in sexual identity discussions) to his youth, where he attended a
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Christian camp and was taught how boys and girls should act, feel, and think. In connection to

the Hesse's news article, even the mere discussion of non-heterosexuals is enough to instill

sexual prejudice usually concerning children.

This YouTube video provides visibility to a lesbian’s understanding of self over the

years. This provides insight for other sexual identities on how this particular individual

responded towards sexual prejudice. She talks about how her parents were very vocal about their

prejudices against non-heterosexuals which only made @Risa Ru feel ashamed to be associated

with the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, because she had the perception that the

stereotypical lesbian was a white masculine-presenting woman, she felt even more of a

disconnect with the identity. It wasn’t until she was able to join LGBTQ+ affiliated college clubs

where she was able to connect with other Asian-American lesbians. This demonstrates how

sexual prejudice affects both an individual's relationship with their identity and their ability to

engage with a supportive community.

Reflection and Claim of Significance

When I came out to my mother, it was not by choice. I had been sobbing in my room out

of shame for my identity. I felt like I would disappoint her if she found out, but I couldn’t hide it

when she kept pressing me with questions. Unfortunately, my fears came true. Rather than

supportive words, I was berated with microinvalidations–mostly about how I had to pray for

clarity. I internalized her words and often questioned my attitudes and morals. As I grew older,

however, I have been able to connect with other non-heterosexual individuals about their

experiences. Hearing their stories and sharing my own has deepened my understanding of the

diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community as well as feeling a sense of solidarity.

Additionally, I chose to explore this topic to further challenge heterosexist ideas, attitudes, and
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behaviors that I have held on to from my mother. From my experience, when individuals attempt

to combat sexual prejudice, it is often not explicitly defined as a "fight against sexual prejudice".

It is usually coupled with striving to be "a good human being." While important, it does not give

room for complex understanding of sexual prejudice.

After conducting my research, I gave myself time to reflect and connect my perceptions

and experiences to my sources. A common theme among my exploration of sexual prejudice was

the importance of considering intersectionality. In conjunction to when I came out, I was

conflicted on being the "perfect Christian Latina" or a bisexual (e.g. of intersectionality conflict).

I would like to further explore how sexual prejudice is conceptualized on the basis of various

intersecting identities. This particularly sparked my interest after hearing Risa Ru's experience

with heterosexism and how her Asian-American identity conflicted with her acceptance of being

a lesbian. Furthermore, Etengoff’s and Lefervor’s work undermines the preconception that all

religions are against queerness. It suggests a complex understanding is needed to understand how

sexual prejudice might manifest itself.

Sexual prejudice is often conceptualized as "homophobia", but does not accurately reflect

the complex experiences that non-heterosexual individuals face. It is crucial, however, to make it

evident that sexual prejudice does not pertain to just the sexual identity, but to other

intersectional identities. These identities may hinder how non-heterosexual individuals perceive

their experience and identity. Sexual prejudice can be hard to tackle as it would require a

systemic change, however, individuals may engage in intellectual conversations about their

identities, how they view their identities, and share their stories.