February 12, 2013
LGBTQ by Alex Cortinas, Staff Writer | Ariel Machell, Staff Writer | Brenna Reid, Entertainment Editor | Maya Acharya, Staff Writer | Zach Cohen, Staff Writer | Zoe Morgan, News Editor
Coming out & Homophobia He came out during a school assembly, and then later that day to his parents. While the entire process went rather smoothly, there are difficulties with expressing a sexual orientation not prevalent in society. This student, who wishes to remain anonymous, identifies as gay. While he has never been physically bullied, he is still frustrated with how prevalent homophobia can be in society today. “There've been times when people have talked behind my back, saying how they're like scared of me ... but I’ve never been confronted or actually been bullied by anyone,” he said. “I've been called a ‘faggot’ and stuff, on the street.” This student views homophobia as an ungrounded fear that makes incorrect assumptions about the characteristics of
people who identify as LGBTQ. “I think people have this tacit fear that a gay person of their same gender will automatically be attracted to them just because they're gay,” he said. “And it's ridiculous. If a guy was straight and a girl was straight that doesn't mean they're going to be attracted to you. That's an expectation that everyone seems to have no matter how accepting they are.” In addition, senior Dennis Saenz, who identifies as bisexual, believes that using LGBTQ terms as insults associates them with an unfair, negative connotation. This, in turn, can help to propagate other prejudices and stereotypes against the LGBTQ community. “I think it’s appropriate to use LGBTQ terms when describing yourself or when
THE RIDDLE SCALE The Riddle scale, depicted below, is a psychometric scale that measures the degrees to which an individual is or is not homophobic.
POSITIVE
1 NURTURANCE
2 APPRECIATION These people value the diversity of being LGBTQ as a valid part of society and are willing to combat homophobia in others.
Those identifying as LGBTQ are indispensable in our society and should be viewed with genuine affection and delight. These people are willing to be advocates and allies.
3 ADMIRATION
4
SUPPORT Individuals at this level are aware of homophobia and the irrational unfairness, but may be uncomfortable themselves.
People acknowledge that being lesbian/gay in our society takes strength and are willing to examine their own homophobic attitudes.
NEGATIVE
5 ACCEPTANCE
This implies there is something to accept, such that one needs to make accomodations for another’s differences. For example, “That’s fine with me as long as you don’t flaunt it!”
7
10
In-Depth
PITY
Heterosexuality is considered more mature and preferred. The idea of becoming or being straight is favored and this “normal behavior” should be reinforced.
6
Lesbian. Gay. Bisexual. Transgender. There are many identities encompassed in the LGBTQ spectrum, and those identifying as LGBTQ can have differing definitions of what each one truly means. While there has been progress toward sexual and gender equality, problems still exist for those who identify outside of typical heterosexual, male-female gender system. Now, with new legislation relating to LGBTQ rights and the Supreme Court debating on Proposition 8, the several upcoming months could be either a giant step forward or back in this struggle. So, what does it mean to be a part of the LGBTQ community at this time? identifying yourself as LGBTQ,” Dennis said. “But when such terms are used to diminish something or someone, that’s not appropriate. Gay does not act as a substitute for ‘stupid’ or any other derogatory words. Gay is simply not a derogatory term.” Aaron Schneider, a sophomore at Woodside High School, identifies as gay. He considers himself lucky for not having faced anything near the horror stories of gay teen bullying nationwide; however, his steps towards to gender equality have been arduous. “Before I came out people would constantly bother and sometimes bully me because they thought I was gay,” Aaron said. Aaron believes that having a supportive adult who has gone through the same struggles as him can help. “One of my favorite middle school teachers showed me that it was possible to have a happy life as an openly gay person,” Aaron said. In addition to supporting LGBTQ youth, it is also important to educate students about homophobic tendencies or actions. When PE teacher Kiernan Raffo hears students using LGBTQ terms in inappropriate ways, she attempts to shed some light on students’ actions. “If I hear my students say it, then I call them out on it every time,” Raffo said. “I make them aware. Sometimes, I’ll hear it used more than once and I’m like ‘Wow, clearly you feel strongly that you don’t like this population of people.’ I get sarcastic with them … and it kind of zooms into perspective for them … so I can prove to them, you know, there’s really no difference.” Yet even with this support, the process of coming out for Aaron,
while not harmful, was still challenging. “I decided to tell my parents before I became open about it, and that didn't go as well,” Aaron said. “They said they ‘accepted me’ and maybe they did but they just seemed surprised and didn't know how to picture their own son being gay. There was a lot of tension and unspoken thoughts for about six months.” While there has been some progress toward social equality, their issue is still far from being resolved. In practice, the divisions caused by gender and sexual discrimination are still present in local high schools. “I don't find my school to be overall accepting,” Aaron said. “I never have problems with people giving me trouble but I can sense that some people become uncomfortable. Like at most schools I would assume that a guy calling another guy ‘gay’ is still an insult, I hear it at least ten times a day, never directed at me, but still as if being gay is a horrible thing.”
The Gender Binary Often a textbook description of what it means to be a part of the LGBTQ community does not suffice. While terms such as bisexual and queer may have specific definitions in some minds, identifying as LGBTQ can mean something different to each individual. Sophomore Sasha Sobol, identifies as genderqueer. “Basically, it means that I identify outside of the gender binary,” Sasha said. The gender binary is the idea that there are two genders: male and female. As a result, identifying as genderqueer is often
Did you know that each color on the rainbow associated with a different quality? From re representing life to indigo meaning spirit, this ic symbol not only represents the LGBTQ movem across the globe, but also the flag’s origin: Cali While there have arguably been some steps b and others forward in the LGBTQ movement, nation continues to keep its eye on the Bay Are California as a pivotal area for the LGBTQ move Here’s why.
TOLERANCE
Homosexuality is seen as a adolescent developmental phase that many go through and most grow out of. Thus, people identifying with these groups are considered less mature and should be treated differently.
8
REPULSION
Homosexuality is seen as a crime against nature and anything is justified to change them, such as hospitalization or behavior therapy.
1971 - The first Gay Pride Parade in San Francisco is held. This event has been described as “the largest gathering of LGBTQ people and their allies in the nation”
1972 one State rights