Rainbow Educators 411
The Impact of Homophobia 1:
97% of all students report hearing homophobic comments
80% of gay and lesbian youth feel severe social isolation
80% of prospective teachers report negative attitudes toward gays and lesbians
66% of guidance counselors report negative feelings toward gays and lesbians
42% of homeless youth self-identify as gay or lesbian
30% of completed teen suicides are done by gay or lesbian youth
11.5% of gay youth report being physically attacked by family members
When Homophobia Gets Violent 2:
Gays and lesbians are the third most targeted group for hate crimes after racial/ethnic and religious minorities
Schools and workplaces are the most frequent sites of anti-gay incidents
18% of men admit to assaulting gay men or lesbians, and almost half say they are likely to do it again in similar circumstances
Assailants' reasons for attacking gays and lesbians: response to perceived sexual flirtation, negative opinion of homosexuality, thrill-seeking, and peer pressure
How Many People Are Gay?
No one is sure how many people are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. Scholars estimate that between 2-10% of the U.S. population have a homosexual orientation.
Why Some People Are Gay 4 :
Sexual orientation is believed to be influenced by a variety of factors including genetics and hormones as well as environment. Though the origins of sexual orientation are not completely understood, scholars generally believe it to be established during early childhood, usually before the age of 5.
Coming-Out
The Process of Accepting One's Sexual Identity 3 :
STAGE 1: Identity Confusion - growing sense of personal alienation, conscious of same-sex feelings but rarely discloses feelings to others
STAGE 2: Identity Comparison - person thinks they may be gay or bisexual, but tends to rationalize feelings of attraction as a special case or passing phase
STAGE 3: Identity Tolerance - tolerates possible homosexual orientation and begins to reach out and disclose their identity to other homosexuals
STAGE 4: Identity Acceptance - increased contact with gay community and friendships form; accepts rather than tolerates homosexuality; discloses identity to significant heterosexuals
STAGE 5: Identity Pride - disclosure of identity to more people; increasing positive concept of self and sexuality and awareness of society's rejection of this orientation
STAGE 6: Identity Synthesis - lesbian or gay identity becomes integral and integrated aspect of the individual's personality structure
Selected Chronology of GLBT History:
1868
Term "homosexual" first coined
1935
First documented case in U.S. of aversion therapy (electric shock) on a homosexual
1969
Dignity, a gay Roman Catholic Caucus, founded in San Diego, CA
Stonewall Riots in New York, NY
1973
American Psychiatric Association board drops "homosexuality" as illness from DSM-IV
1974
Elaine Noble (D- MA) first openly gay public official elected
1978
San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and openly gay Supervisor Harvey Milk assassinated by Dan White
1981
First notice of GRID (original name for the AIDS virus) in medical literature
1983
Gerry Studds (D-MA) becomes first member of Congress to come out
1986
First lesbian couple granted legal joint adoption of a child
Vatican published authoritative statement "On the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons"
1988
First National Coming-Out Day on October 11
1993
Pres. Clinton announces new policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" for gays in the military
1996
Congress passes and Pres. Clinton signs Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) defeated in Senate 50-49
1997
Coming-out episode of Ellen airs
National Council of Catholic Bishops publishes "Always Our Children: Pastoral Message to Parents of Homosexual Children and Suggestions for Pastoral Ministers"
1998
Murder of Matthew Shephard in Laramie, WY
Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is first openly gay person elected to Congress
1999
Rev. Jerry Falwell calls Teletubby Tinky-Winky a gay role model
2000
Vermont becomes first state to legalize same-sex "civil unions"
Knight Initiative (Prop. 22) banning recognition of same-sex marriage passes in California
Hilary Swank wins Oscar for portrayal of trans-gendered Brandon Teena in Boys Don't Cry
U.S. Supreme Court rules Boy Scouts may discriminate against gay members and leaders
CO-SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS OF THE RAINBOW EDUCATORS:
Cultural Competencies Project Team
United Front Multicultural Center
1 Facts are from the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Educators Network online resource library, www.glsen.org.
2 Data from the 1997 FBI Uniform Crime Report and Dr. Karen Franklin's study entitled "Psychosocial Motivations of Hate Crimes Perpetrators."
3 Coming-out model authored by Vivienne Cass.
4 Crooks, Robert and Baur. Our Sexuality. New York: Cummings Publishing Company, 1990.
