Essay on Gays/Lesbians Normalization in America - 2307 Words

Homosexuality is an intensely debated issue in the United States, but there are trends indicating an increased normalization of the gay/lesbian lifestyle. According to Lee Condon (2001), the Census 2000 should be remembered as the first gay and lesbian census. During this census, the federal head-counters made an attempt to count gay and lesbian households for the first time. When the data was released, it showed that 1.2 million same-sex, unmarried partners had been identified. Single gays and lesbians were left out of this part of the census count, but a study commissioned by the national gay lobby, Human Rights Campaign, estimated that Census 2000 undercounted gay and lesbian couples by a factor of 62 percent (Condon, 2001).†¦show more content†¦In 2000, this policy had an approval of 39 percent. In 2010 gay marriage has increased in popularity in all fifty states. The popularity of gay marriage has increased most rapidly in the states where gay rights were already rela tively popular in the 1990s, with numbers over 50 percent. The growing mood of acceptance is possibly tied to an increase in the percentage of people who claim to know someone who is gay, lesbian, or bisexual. More than 7 in 10 people, says Wellner (2001), claim they know someone who is gay or lesbian, up from 55 percent in 1998. Over time, as more Americans interact professionally and socially with members of the gay and lesbian community, the acceptance of diverse sexual orientations has begun to increase. Gregory M. Herek (2002) believes that there are several variables that impact public acceptance of gay and lesbian lifestyles, partnerships, and family systems. For example, attitudes toward gays and lesbians tend to vary. Many Americans are far more tolerant or accepting of lesbian partnerships with children than they are of gay partnerships with children. Socio-economic status, education, and gender also impact the perception and eventual acceptance of gay and lesbian individ uals, partnerships, and family. Heterosexual males, regardless of education, occupation, or socioeconomic class, are more likely than their femaleShow MoreRelatedThe Cultural Identity Of The African American Community1653 Words   |  7 Pagessexuality, especially due the fact that her mother, Audrey, openly disapproves. However, as the film progresses, Alike becomes more comfortable with her sexuality and her friendship with Laura helps her come to terms with her own identity as a butch lesbian. Audrey’s relationship with her daughter is controlling, considering she is in control of Alike’s choice of attire, and essentially, whom her daughter spends her time with. Audrey is not supportive of Alike’s choices and thus, denies her daughterRead MoreMedia Analysis Feminism1658 Words   |  7 Pagesthan a dozen for each weekly search—from which I selected only two per week. 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