Attitudes Against Homosexual Women in Rural Areas

Attitudes Against Homosexual Women in Rural Areas Issues in Sexuality Coming out and living as lesbians and gay men in regional and rural areas (Peer-Reviewed) Hypothesis The attitudes and perspectives about homosexuality in Western society have undergone through periods of both tolerance/acceptance as well as periods in which gay men and lesbians were looked down upon or even prosecuted. This paper tests the hypothesis that the negative attitudes against women are exacerbated in rural areas (Gottschalk., 2008). Data collection The study was mainly conducted through questionnaires and interviews. Profile of Group Researched The respondents in the study were recruited at random from lesbian and gay social groups. However, since a concise demographic profile of the gay men and lesbian population did not exist in some regions in Victoria, this research cannot claim to be representative to all homosexual persons in this region (Gottschalk., 2008). Table 1 Age of Respondents at time of study Women Men Age n = 55 % n = 40 % Less than 20 2 3.6 5 12.9 20 to 24 7 12.6 7 17.9 25 to 34 14 25.4 9 23.1 35 to 44 22 40.2 16 41.0 45 to 54 8 14.6 0 0 55 or older 2 3.6 2 5.1 Missing value 1 Results Table 2 The age of first realization of same-sex attraction Age Women % Men % Less than 10 16.4 23.1 10 to 14 29.1 35.9 15 to 19 29.1 33.3 20 to 24 3.6 0 25 to 34 12.7 5.1 35 to 44 5.5 2.6 45 to 54 3.6 0 55 or older 0 0 According to the table 2 above, it was found that while more women than men formed their sexual identity during the adult stages, more men than women identified themselves as homosexuals at a younger age. Table 3 Marital Status Women Men Marital status n = 55 % n = 40 % Never married 28 50.9 32 82.1 Currently married 4 7.3 4 10.2 previously married 23 41.8 3 7.7 Missing value 1 It was found that 41.8% of lesbians had been married previously compared to 7.7% of men. Table 4: Current Relationship status Women Men    n % N=39 % Not in a relationship at present 20 36.4 23 59.0 In a relationship with a woman 34 61.8 0 0 In a relationship with a man 1 1.8 16 41.0 The study found that 61.8% of women were currently in a relationship as compared to only 41% of men. It was also found that findi ng partners in rural areas was more difficult compared to urban areas (Gottschalk., 2008). Interpretation and conclusion The study shows that both young people as well as those who form their homosexual identities during adulthood do so in a stigmatized social environment. It confirms that gay men and lesbians in rural regions face more challenges as compared to those living in urban areas. The respondents in the study agree that what is deemed as absence of services and support in rural areas has made embracing a gay or lesbian lifestyle more difficult. This is due to the higher rate of hostility, discrimination, and social stigma combined with negative stereotypes (Gottschalk., 2008). Homophobic? Maybe You are Gay (Popular Media) Hypothesis In an article published by the New York Times in April 2012, the question is raised as to why public figures so often in the frontline of anti-gay rights campaigns are found in same-sex partner scandals. The article generally proposes that when homosexual urges are repressed due to fear or shame, these urges can manifest themselves as homophobia. This process is known as ‘reaction formation.’ This refers to the fight with one’s external environment against feelings that have been inwardly repressed. The articles hypothesis is quite compelling, even offering an example Ted Haggard, a well-known evangelist who advocated against homosexuality and termed it a sin. During his apology speech for his involvement in homosexuality he admitted that he advocated so strongly against homosexuality so fiercely partially due to his struggle with it (Ryan & Ryan, 2012).