Lesbian presentation

1. GROUP MEMBERS: TEBOHO – CORDINATER LORRAINE – PRESENTER CATHY – FIELDRESEARCHER TATENDA – FIELD RESEARCHER

2. Topic: • LESBIANS:

3. Introduction: • Though the issue of lesbians as a trend is starting to be a normal topic within conversations it is of importance to note that some people are still uncomfortable with the thought of two women having an intimate relationship. Lesbians are constantly subjected to discrimination in many societies and this presentation is therefore going to bring out how public attitudes are sharply divided towards the issue of lesbians. The presentation will bring out how attitudes are rapidly changing towards lesbians especially with the younger generation leading the way with for example countries like America overwhelmingly supporting civil liberties and freedom of expression for lesbians though other countries like Uganda criminalizing the issue of lesbians thus, a show of division within different societies with some showing a trend toward greater tolerance and some still rejecting the issue though popularity of lesbian erotica in the main stream media has been growing.

4. DEFINITION OF TERMS: • Lesbian: • Is a woman whose sexual orientation is to women • Is a term which describes sexual and romantic attraction between females • Female same sex attraction

5. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ON LESBIANS: • Sexologists in the 19th Century distinguished lesbians as women who did not adhere to female gender roles and designated as mentally ill. • Lesbians responded to such designations by hiding their personal lives or accept the label of an outcast. • In many countries lesbians were actively persecuted with punishments ranging from death. • In the 20th Century movements like the Second Wave Feminism started changing perceptions of women people as unlike the First Wave Feminism which focused on the suffrage and overturning obstacles to legal gender equality second wave themselves. • feminism included among other issues the topic of sexuality. • Invisibility of lesbians has gradually eroded since the early 1980’s. • Aspects like sexual orientation identity which describes how persons identify their own sexuality has affected how women view and label

6. Queer theories and lesbians • Judith Butler (1990) and the queer theory Butler’s theories of gender trouble have also been linked to queer theory, whichexplores and challenges the way in which heterosexual is constructed as normal andthe media has limited the representations of gay men and women • Queer theory challenges the traditionally held assumptions that there is a binary divide between gay and heterosexual, and suggests that sexual identity is more fluid. An example of the fluidity of gender/sexuality can be seen in the character of Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean. In this film the character uses an ironic and ‘over-the-top’ performance of a pirate, which includes wearing an over-elaborate costume and eye make-up, using feminine and camp gestures and avoiding anything that could be interpreted as machismo • Queer used to be a slang for homosexual and worse, used for homophobic abuse. • Queer denotes- Different • Unacceptable • Un-normed

8. ATTITUDES TOWARDS LESBIANS: • RELIGIOUSATTITUDES: • Many world religions contain anti – lesbian teachings, example (destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah) • STATE SPONSORED HOMOPHOBIA: • Criminalization and penalization of lesbians including hate speech from government leaders. • Some of the current governments against include Ghana, Nigeria, Iran, Jamaica, North Korea, Zimbabwe etc. • GENERATION GAP: • There is a large generation gap on the issue with acceptance and denial reflecting the generational difference in opinion hence, divisions on the issue.

9. Lesbian IMAGES:

10. MEDIA PORTRAYAL OF LESBIANISM: • Lesbians often attract media attention particularly under the relationship to feminism, sexual relationships, marriage and parenting. • Media and the queer minority are in a back and forth discussion about what is proper media representation of lesbians as forms of media presentation speak volumes about social acceptance, misunderstandings and society atmosphere as lesbian media portrayal touches on politics and history.

11. Types of lesbians: • Butch – ascribe to masculine traits, behaviours, style and self perception through denoting a degree of masculinity displayed by a female individual beyond what would be considered typical of a tomboy. • Femme (feminine) identity with its associated traits.

12. Video clip/ lesbian stereotypes: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRGWuh9DvQ8

13. Conclusion: • Having looked at the above information it is important to note that lesbians as a trend are rapidly being accepted in different societies as the third gender especially within the younger generation but looking at the bigger picture it seems the people against the practice are still more and stand rigid to their beliefs against. There are still debates especially in terms of gender roles if lesbianism does not borrow masculine traits especially looking at the butch and media though coverage on this topic is growing there are still back and forth on what really is appropriate coverage when it comes to lesbians.

14. References: • Bliss, P. 2011. Minority stress among lesbians, gay men and bisexuals: A consequence of heterosexism, homophobia and stigmatization, 13 (8): 203 – 350. • DiPlacido, J. 2010. Beyond “homophobia”: Asocial psychological perspective on attitudes toward lesbians and gay, Journal of homosexuality, 20 (13): 105 – 134 • Griffin, P. 2010. Strong women, deep closets: Lesbians and homophobia in sport, Journal of Canadian research, 30 (22): 102 – 150. • Herek, G. 2001. Heterosexuals attitudes toward lesbians and gay men: Correlates and gender differences, Journal of sex research, 9 (4): 45 – 80. • Hedt, F. 1998. Same sex, different cultures: Gays and lesbians across cultures, Journal of culture, 34 (18): 400 – 540. • . Katz, J. 2000. Lesbians American history: Lesbians and gay men the USA: Documentary, Journal of American History, 10 (5): 12 – 48.