Exam 2 Study Guide: LGBTQ+ Rights and Intersectionality

Sexual orientation

Gender or genders to which a person is predominantly attracted physically or emotionally. It is a continuum.

Sexual identity

Ways people think about themselves as sexual beings. It differs from sexual orientation.

Sexual behavior

What do people do sexually. People may engage in sexual behavior that does not correspond with their stated sexual orientation.

Asexuality

Not being sexually attracted to anyone.

Sexual fluidity

The possibility of changes and shifts in sexual attraction over time. Sexual orientation is not fixed.

Homophobia

The fear, prejudice, or discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. Prejudice discrimination, violence and hate crimes.

Hate crime

A crime that is committed against a person, group, or property that is motivated, in whole or in part by the offender's bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity.

Heterosexism

It is a system. Just being accepting won't fix it.

Internalized homophobia

Refers to the negative beliefs, attitudes and feelings about homosexuality or bisexuality that a person with same-sex attraction harbors about themselves.

Same-sex marriage

Legal in 36 countries (20% of the world's population).

Same-sex adoption

As of 2024, around 35 countries allow same-sex couples to adopt children (out of 195 countries).

Legal gender recognition

The process of changing legal name or gender often involves bureaucratic or medical obstacles.

Economic inequality

LGBTQ+ individuals face higher rates of unemployment and income disparity due to workplace discrimination.

Coming out

Is when someone tells others that they are LGBTQ+. It's a personal process where people reveal their sexual orientation or gender identity.

AIDS and LGBTQ movement

The AIDS crisis in the 1980s hit the gay community hard, but it also pushed people to fight better healthcare and equal rights.

Gay rights movement during WWII

During WWII, the gay community became more visible as soldiers and civilians spent time in military camps and cities.

Stonewall Riots

The Stonewall Riots in 1969 were a turning point for LGBTQ+ rights, leading to protests and the first Pride marches.

Intersectionality

The way in which systems of inequality based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, class and other forms of discrimination intersect to create an unequal society.

Matrix of domination

The interlocking systems of privilege and oppression that work together in a matrix-like fashion.

Slavery and intersectionality

Looks at how the experience of slavery wasn't just about being Black or being enslaved—it was also about how race, gender, and other parts of a person's identity affected their experience.

Intersectionality of stereotypes

Means that people can be stereotyped in different ways because of the combination of their identities.

Immigration policy and intersectionality

Immigration laws don't affect everyone the same way. People's experiences with immigration depend on things like their race, gender, and class.

Privilege and intersectionality

Privilege means having special advantages or benefits in society just because of who you are.

Queer

Historically was used as a slur against LGBTQ+ individuals, but has been reclaimed as a self-affirming term.

Moral panic

Act as though they are a threat to society.

Difference Framework

Analyzes identity parts separately, like race and gender.

Matrix of Domination

Shows interconnectedness of race, gender, and class.

Prejudice

Negative attitudes towards a specific social group.

Discrimination

Unequal treatment based on group membership.

Stereotype

Oversimplified belief about a group of people.

Implicit Bias

Unconscious stereotypes affecting decisions and actions.

Structural Racism

Societal systems favoring some groups over others.

Structural Discrimination

Neutral policies harming minority groups disproportionately.

Merton's Typology

Framework categorizing types of discrimination.

Meritocratic Ideology

Belief in equal opportunity based on individual merit.

Representation

Act of depicting or speaking for someone.

Symbolic Annihilation

Media absence of minority groups erasing their existence.

Male Gaze

Depiction from a dominant male perspective.

Enlightened Racism

Media suggests minorities succeed due to hard work.

Mammy Stereotype

Black women portrayed as happy caretakers.

Sapphire

Angry, bossy Black woman stereotype.

Jezebel

Oversexualized image of Black women.

Cantina Girl Suffering

Latina women depicted as helpless victims.

Señorita

Innocent Latina woman stereotype.

Vamp

Seductive Latina manipulating men.

Dragon Lady

Cold, dangerous portrayal of Asian women.

Native American Portrayals

Reduced to noble heroes or primitive savages.

Latino Representation

Stereotyped as criminals or hard-working immigrants.

Video Game Stereotypes

Arabs as villains, Asians as martial artists.

Counter-Stereotypes

Images challenging negative stereotypes.

Controlling Image

Stereotype shaping societal views of a group.

Latinos Beyond Reel

Documentary challenging Latino media stereotypes.