Common Myths and
Stereotypes: Sexual Misconceptions
Lambda Institute compiled this list of some of the most common or
frequently encountered inaccuracies people used in their
generalizations about lesbians and gay men in the early 80’s. They were
gathered from audience responses in workshops, seminars, and
presentations. We have since added to the list based on our experiences.
These inaccuracies cover both perceived physical differences and
ascribed group values. The myths and stereotypes listed are
consistently held and do not seem to vary according to the age, sex,
geographic location or ethnic/cultural background of the person holding
them. For clarity, we have grouped these misconceptions into
broad categories. In order to deal with these misconceptions and treat
the fears and negative behavior which often accompany them, the myth is
listed first and is followed by accurate information. This approach
utilizes the established principle of social psychology that
suggests that it is harder to maintain negative stereotypes when
personal experience and the truth invalidate them.
SEXUAL MISCONCEPTIONS
MYTH: Lesbians and gay men are all mentally ill.
FACT: Homosexuality is not an
illness of any kind. In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association ruled
that “Homosexuality per se implies no impairment in judgment,
stability, reliability or general social or vocational capabilities.”
They removed all references to homosexuality as a mental illness or
disorder from their diagnostic manuals. In 1975 the American
Psychological Association did the same. Since then, many scientific and
psychiatric studies have demonstrated that gays have no greater
incidence of mental illness than non-gays. Likewise, the American
Medical Association considers homosexuality “an alternative lifestyle”
and not a form of disorder or illness. Social scientists now recognize
lesbians and gay men as a “cultural minority” group.
MYTH: Homosexuality is unnatural.
FACT: When deciding what we are
going to consider natural or abnormal, consider the facts.
Homosexuality occurs in most mammals and birds. With respect to human
beings, it has existed since the beginning of recorded history in all
cultures and societies and among people of all ethnic, age,
occupational, and socio-economic backgrounds. It accounts for at least
10% of the world population. With these facts it is easier to see that
lesbians and gay men are no more unnatural than people with red hair
(5% of the world population.)
MYTH: Homosexual acts are “strange” or very different
from heterosexual sex.
FACT: What gay men and lesbians do
sexually is not much different from what most men and women do
together sexually. When studies on human sexuality, sexual techniques,
and styles of lovemaking are considered, it appears that heterosexual
and homosexual sex have a great deal in common. In order to understand
this, we need to think of the “whole picture” of sexual expression and
gratification: sexual desire, emotional attraction, caring, love,
attaining psychological and physical stimulation, all the forms of
sexual foreplay, and the the various ways of attaining orgasms. Then,
with the single exception of vaginal/penile penetration, one can safely
assume that anything a man and a woman
might do sexually together is probably the same or very similar to what
two men or two women might do. Again, it is important to remember that
not all heterosexual men and women have exactly the same sexual likes
and dislikes or make love in the same way; the same is true for gay
men and lesbians.
MYTH: Homosexual sex causes AIDS and threatens
society.
FACT: AIDS is believed to be
caused by a virus, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV. As with
other viruses, HIV can be sexually transmitted. It can also be
trasnsmitted through sharing needles when using intravenous drugs. AIDS
is not highly contagious; there is no evidence that AIDS can be
transmitted through shaking hands, hugging, coughing, sneezing,
insects, food, or toilet seats. You don’t have to worry about working
next to someone who has AIDS or sitting in a bus with someone who has
AIDS or eating in “gay” restaurants or shopping at ‘gay” stores.
You simply don’t get AIDS through casual contact! AIDS does affect a
lot of gay men; it is not however, a gay disease. Lesbians are, in
fact, among the groups at lowest risk. Heterosexuals are also at risk
of HIV infection and should pratice safe sex. For more information on
AIDS, the U.S. Public Health Service has a toll-free hotline to answer
questions. Call 800/342-AIDS.
MYTH: Lesbians and gay men prey on children
FACT: Most child molestation
involves male adults and female children. The media plays up
male/male child molestation for many reasons; it is more unusual (and
thus more newsworthy), it reinforces cultural stereotypes, it is more
horrible since male children are more “valuable,” and so on. The
percentage of child molestation with female perpetrators is
statistically insignficant. The secondary assumption with this is
that you can be turned into a homosexual if you have a homosexual
experience.
MYTH: Lesbians and gay men play male/female roles
during sex.
FACT: This is a very common
stereotype. Its origin is probably in the “cultural conditioning” of
perceived roles among non-gay couples. Up until the early 1970s,
American culture programmed us to believe that men and women had
certain roles in society and in relationships. The common image was of
the man as the aggressive, dominant “breadwinner” who worked to support
the family and was the sole leader of the household. The woman was
perceived as the passive “little woman” who stayed at home, kept the
house clean, and served her husband. With these roles ingrained in us,
it was common to try to put them on all relationships – whether
they were heterosexual or homosexual. Thus, when people thought of two
men or two women in a loving, lifelong relationship, they assumed one
played “the man” and the other “the woman.” With the contemporary trend
toward equality for women in social, occupational, and family roles,
along with the general equalizing of male/female relationships, it
should become easier for people to recognize that lesbians and gay men
are not bound by the male/female roles of the ‘60s. Most homosexual
relationships are based on a lifelong partnership of mutual sharing.
next subject: Common
Myths and Stereotypes:Social Behavior Misconceptions
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