DOCSLIB.ORG

Not Just Words: Exposure to Homophobic Epithets Leads To

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Not Just Words: Exposure to Homophobic Epithets Leads To EJSP RESEARCH ARTICLE Not “just words”: Exposure to homophobic epithets leads to dehumanizing and physical distancing from gay men Fabio Fasoli*, Maria Paola Paladino†,AndreaCarnaghi‡, Jolanda Jetten§, Brock Bastian¶ & Paul G. Bain§,# * Centro de Investigação e Intervenção Social, Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal † Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy ‡ Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy § School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Australia ¶ School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia # School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia Correspondence Abstract Fabio Fasoli, ISCTE-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Centro de Investigação e Intervenção We examined whether homophobic epithets (e.g., faggot) function as labels of Social, Lisbon, Portugal. deviance for homosexuals that contribute to their dehumanization and phys- E-mail: [email protected]; ical distance. Across two studies, participants were supraliminally (Study 1) [email protected] and subliminally (Study 2) exposed to a homophobic epithet, a category label, or a generic insult. Participants were then asked to associate human- Received: 9 June 2014 related and animal-related words to homosexuals and heterosexuals. Results Accepted: 1 August 2015 showed that after exposure to a homophobic epithet, compared with a cate- gory label or a generic insult, participants associated less human-related http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.2148 words with homosexuals, indicating dehumanization. In Study 2, we also Keywords: derogatory labels, deviance, assessed the effect of a homophobic epithet on physical distance from a target dehumanization, homophobia, physical group member and found that homophobic epithets led to greater physical distance distancing of a gay man. These findings indicate that homophobic epithets foster dehumanization and avoidance of gay people, in ways that other insults or labels do not. Despite their negative and hostile tone, homophobic ep- epithets may not work as simply offensive terms, as they ithets toward gay men such as faggot and poof are fre- both convey a negative evaluation and point to a group quently used in everyday language (D’Augelli, 1992; in a disparaging manner. However, homophobic epi- Kosciw, Greytak, & Diaz, 2009). For example, US partic- thets, compared with category labels, combine a strong ipants who belong to sexual minorities experience negative evaluation with a representation of gay men about two homophobic hassles per week, most com- as deviant (Carnaghi, Maass, & Fasoli, 2011; Plummer, monly in the form of verbal attacks such as homophobic 2001). Because of this, in our research, we examined epithets (Swim, Johnston, & Pearson, 2009). Even indi- whether homophobic epithets can contribute to conse- viduals who are neither targets of such slurs nor use this quences other than negative evaluative responses. Spe- derogatory language themselves encounter homopho- cifically, we first and foremost aimed to assess whether bic epithets (e.g., heterosexuals overhearing a homo- homophobic epithets contribute to the dehumanization phobic slur). This raises the question of whether, and of gay men. As a secondary aim, we examined whether in which ways, homophobic language may contribute these terms are associated with physical distance from to the persistence of homophobia. gay men. We will discuss both aims in turn. There is initial evidence that exposure to homophobic epithets has evaluative consequences. Among hetero- sexuals, exposure to homophobic epithets (e.g., faggot) CONSEQUENCES OF HOMOPHOBIC EPITHETS FOR leads to the activation of less positive associations toward DEHUMANIZATION AND PHYSICAL DISTANCE gay men compared with category labels (e.g., gay; Derogatory group labels such as homophobic epithets Carnaghi & Maass, 2007, 2008). It thus appears that are highly offensive terms whose purpose is to “negate even though homophobic epithets may be commonly apersonorgroup’s culture, heritage, and family in considered as “just words” that people encounter in one word, by dehumanizing the person or group” their daily life, overhearing them dampens the extent (Simon & Greenberg, 1996, p. 1195). As the definition to which gay men are seen in a positive light. The implies, derogatory group labels not only elicit a nega- current work is to move beyond the role of mere eval- tive evaluation of the target but also achieve much uative association elicited by these terms. Homophobic more. Rather than functioning like a generic insult, European Journal of Social Psychology 46 (2016) 237–248 Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 237 Homophobic epithets and dehumanization F. Fasoli et al. homophobic epithets may serve to dehumanize their studies suggesting that homophobic epithets portray target. gay men as deviants. For instance, although both cate- Dehumanization occurs when people perceive others gory and homophobic epithets activate gay stereotypes as belonging to a lower order of humanity (Haslam, to the same extent, only homophobic epithets carry a 2006; Vaes, Leyens, Paladino, & Miranda, 2012). In- negative affective connotation (Carnaghi & Maass, stances of dehumanization of gay people emerge in hate 2007, 2008). Moreover, when used by primary school crimes against sexual minorities (Herek, Cogan, & Gills, children, these epithets typically point to individuals 2002), anti-gay rhetoric, and even in descriptions of ag- that do not appear to conform to peer norms (Plummer, gression toward homosexuals (Herek, 2000). Homo- 2001; Steinfeldt, Vaughan, LaFollette, & Steinfeldt, 2012; phobic language is a common expression of verbal Thorne, 1993). Furthermore, interview (e.g., Phoenix, aggression (D’Augelli, 1992; Swim et al., 2008) that le- Frosh, & Pattman, 2003; Renold, 2002; Stoudt, 2006), gitimizes and reinforces heterosexist norms and culture survey (Franklin, 2000), and experimental studies (Herek, 1990, 2004). Hence, as the definition suggests, (Carnaghi et al., 2011) suggest that homophobic homophobic epithets highlight a representation of gay language goes hand in hand with the endorsement of men as deviant in a way that “negates” shared values masculine norms highlighting the deviant nature as and norms and contribute to their dehumanization. well as a call for “punishment” of those individuals that Dehumanization involves the denial of human char- are perceived to deviate from these norms (Pascoe, acteristics and attributes to others. It is often observed 2005; Plummer, 2001; Slaatten, Anderssen, & Hetland, in intergroup contexts (e.g., Paladino & Vaes, 2009; 2014). In contrast to homophobic epithets (which Vaes & Paladino, 2010; Viki et al., 2006), and it is differ- carry an insulting and distancing motivation, Carnaghi ent to just holding negative perception of groups & Maas, 2006, 2008; see also Allport, 1954; Mullen & (Haslam & Loughnan, 2012). It has been shown to be Rice, 2003; Leader, Mullen, & Rice, 2009), category distinct from in-group favoritism (e.g., Leyens, labels such as “gay” or “homosexual” are terms used Demoulin, Vaes, Gaunt, & Paladino, 2007). Indeed even to label a social group characterized by sexual orienta- groups that are not negatively stereotyped can be targets tion, carrying nowadays less evaluative weight than in of dehumanization (Leyens et al., 2000), and those who the past. Hence, while category labels (for at least most are targets of negative attitudes are not necessarily people) have a primarily descriptive/denotative func- dehumanized (Cortes, Demoulin, Rodriguez, Rodriguez, tion (i.e., indicating men who love/have sex with other & Leyens, 2005). Also, intergroup categorization is not men), homophobic epithets have a defensive or perseasufficient cause of dehumanization as shown value-expressive function (Herek, 1990; Jewell & by studies using minimal groups (Demoulin et al., Morrison, 2010). Consistent with this, Carnaghi et al. 2009), in the context of gender-based relationships (2011) have shown that exposure to the word “faggot” (Vaes, Paladino, & Puvia, 2011; Viki & Abrams, 2003) increases the tendency of heterosexual men to affirm or ethnic intergroup comparisons (Bain, 2014). Criti- their male identity, resulting in differentiating them- cally for the present research, dehumanization is not selves from gay men, but not from women, to a greater inevitable in the context of sexual orientation (Brown extent than “gay” or a gay-unrelated derogatory label. & Hegarty, 2005). However, where it does occur, it can Individuals who are perceived as deviant (Vasiljevic & result in reduced empathy and support, and greater Viki, 2014) or as lacking in normative standards (e.g., tolerance of cruelty (Vaes et al., 2012; Viki, Osgood, & moral values) are more likely to be the target of dehu- Phillips, 2013). Finally, dehumanizing goes hand in manization (Brandt & Reyna, 2011; Haslam et al., hand with the exclusion from moral concern (Bastian 2011). Thus, we argue that homophobic epithets, com- & Haslam, 2010; Opotow, 1990). People excluded from pared with category labels and generic insults should moral concern tend to be judged as less human (Brandt elicit dehumanization of male homosexuals. That is, & Reyna, 2011; Haslam, Bastian, Laham, & Loughnan, homophobic language does not only disparage gay 2011), and moral concern has been found linked to men but also places the spotlight on them as deviants,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Free, Hateful, and Posted: Rethinking First Amendment Protection of Hate Speech in a Social Media World
    Boston College Law Review Volume 60 Issue 7 Article 6 10-30-2019 Free, Hateful, and Posted: Rethinking First Amendment Protection of Hate Speech in a Social Media World Lauren E. Beausoleil Boston College Law School, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://lawdigitalcommons.bc.edu/bclr Part of the First Amendment Commons, and the Internet Law Commons Recommended Citation Lauren E. Beausoleil, Free, Hateful, and Posted: Rethinking First Amendment Protection of Hate Speech in a Social Media World, 60 B.C.L. Rev. 2100 (2019), https://lawdigitalcommons.bc.edu/bclr/vol60/iss7/6 This Notes is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Journals at Digital Commons @ Boston College Law School. It has been accepted for inclusion in Boston College Law Review by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ Boston College Law School. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FREE, HATEFUL, AND POSTED: RETHINKING FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTION OF HATE SPEECH IN A SOCIAL MEDIA WORLD Abstract: Speech is meant to be heard, and social media allows for exaggeration of that fact by providing a powerful means of dissemination of speech while also dis- torting one’s perception of the reach and acceptance of that speech. Engagement in online “hate speech” can interact with the unique characteristics of the Internet to influence users’ psychological processing in ways that promote violence and rein- force hateful sentiments. Because hate speech does not squarely fall within any of the categories excluded from First Amendment protection, the United States’ stance on hate speech is unique in that it protects it.
    [Show full text]
  • Domestic Violence and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Relationships
    DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER RELATIONSHIPS WHY IT MATTERS Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of behaviors utilized by one partner (the batterer or abuser) to exert and maintain control over another person (the survivor or victim) where there exists an intimate and/or dependent relationship. Experts believe that domestic violence occurs in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community with the same amount of frequency and severity as in the heterosexual community. Society’s long history of entrenched racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia prevents LGBT victims of domestic violence from seeking help from the police, legal and court systems for fear of discrimination or bias.1 DID YOU KNOW? • In ten cities and two states alone, there were 3,524 incidents of domestic violence affecting LGBT individuals, according to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs 2006 Report on Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender Domestic Violence.1 • LGBT domestic violence is vastly underreported, unacknowledged, and often reported as Intimidation something other than domestic violence.1 Coercion and Threats Making you afraid, Threatening to harm you, abusing pets, • Delaware, Montana and South Carolina explicitly family or friends, or him/ displaying weapons, herself, threatening to using tactics to exclude same-sex survivors of domestic violence out you. reinforce homophobic from protection under criminal laws. Eighteen control states have domestic violence laws that are Economic Abuse Emotional Abuse Preventing you from working, Putting you down, verbal gender neutral but apply to household members controlling all assets, interfering abuse, playing mind games, 2 with education, requiring you to humiliating you, reinforcing only.
    [Show full text]
  • Transgender Representation on American Narrative Television from 2004-2014
    TRANSJACKING TELEVISION: TRANSGENDER REPRESENTATION ON AMERICAN NARRATIVE TELEVISION FROM 2004-2014 A Dissertation Submitted to the Temple University Graduate Board In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY by Kelly K. Ryan May 2021 Examining Committee Members: Jan Fernback, Advisory Chair, Media and Communication Nancy Morris, Media and Communication Fabienne Darling-Wolf, Media and Communication Ron Becker, External Member, Miami University ABSTRACT This study considers the case of representation of transgender people and issues on American fictional television from 2004 to 2014, a period which represents a steady surge in transgender television characters relative to what came before, and prefigures a more recent burgeoning of transgender characters since 2014. The study thus positions the period of analysis as an historical period in the changing representation of transgender characters. A discourse analysis is employed that not only assesses the way that transgender characters have been represented, but contextualizes American fictional television depictions of transgender people within the broader sociopolitical landscape in which those depictions have emerged and which they likely inform. Television representations and the social milieu in which they are situated are considered as parallel, mutually informing discourses, including the ways in which those representations have been engaged discursively through reviews, news coverage and, in some cases, blogs. ii To Desmond, Oonagh and Eamonn For everything. And to my mother, Elaine Keisling, Who would have read the whole thing. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Throughout the research and writing of this dissertation, I have received a great deal of support and assistance, and therefore offer many thanks. To my Dissertation Chair, Jan Fernback, whose feedback on my writing and continued support and encouragement were invaluable to the completion of this project.
    [Show full text]
  • Cyberbullying: a Narrative Review Tiffany Field* ISSN University of Miami/Miller School of Medicine, Fielding Graduate University, Miami, USA 2639-9938
    Open Access Journal of Addiction Therapy and Research Review Article Cyberbullying: A narrative review Tiffany Field* ISSN University of Miami/Miller School of Medicine, Fielding Graduate University, Miami, USA 2639-9938 *Address for Correspondence: Tiffany Field, Abstract University of Miami/Miller School of Medicine, Fielding Graduate University, Miami, FL, 33101, A literature search was conducted using PubMed and PsycINFO to locate cyberbullying USA, Email: tfi [email protected] research that was published during the last 4 years. In this narrative review, cyberbullying Submitted: 04 August 2018 research is briefl y summarized and critiqued. The review is focused on the varying defi nitions and Approved: 20 August 2018 characteristics of cyberbullies, victims and bystanders. Highly variable prevalence rates have been Published: 21 August 2018 reported for cyberbullies, victims and bystanders as a function of age, gender, country, size of the social network and socioeconomic factors. In addition, the effects of cyberbullying are reviewed Copyright: 2018 Field T. This is an open including the frequent suicide attempts along with risk factors/predictors of cyberbullying which access article distributed under the Creative include previous cyberbullying, excessive internet use and lack of empathy, anger, narcissism and Commons Attribution License, which permits authoritarian/permissive parenting. To refl ect the recent literature, special attention is given to the unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction studies on victims of bullying. Research on cyberbullies and on prevention/intervention programs in any medium, provided the original work is for bullying is extremely limited despite the increasing prevalence of bullying and the rapidly properly cited accumulating literature. Methodological limitations include the primary focus on the prevalence of bullying and on the victims of bullying.
    [Show full text]
  • Curating Precarity. Swedish Queer Film Festivals As Micro-Activism
    Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis Uppsala Studies in Media and Communication 16 Curating Precarity Swedish Queer Film Festivals as Micro-Activism SIDDHARTH CHADHA Dissertation presented at Uppsala University to be publicly examined in Lecture Hall 2, Ekonomikum, Kyrkogårdsgatan 10, Uppsala, Thursday, 15 April 2021 at 13:15 for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The examination will be conducted in English. Faculty examiner: Dr. Marijke de Valck (Department of Media and Culture, Utrecht University). Abstract Chadha, S. 2021. Curating Precarity. Swedish Queer Film Festivals as Micro-Activism. Uppsala Studies in Media and Communication 16. 189 pp. Uppsala: Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis. ISBN 978-91-513-1145-6. This research is based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted at Malmö Queer Film Festival and Cinema Queer Film Festival in Stockholm, between 2017-2019. It explores the relevance of queer film festivals in the lives of LGBTQIA+ persons living in Sweden, and reveals that these festivals are not simply cultural events where films about gender and sexuality are screened, but places through which the political lives of LGBTQIA+ persons become intelligible. The queer film festivals perform highly contextualized and diverse sets of practices to shape the LGBTQIA+ discourse in their particular settings. This thesis focuses on salient features of this engagement: how the queer film festivals define and articulate “queer”, their engagement with space to curate “queerness”, the role of failure and contingency in shaping the queer film festivals as sites of democratic contestations, the performance of inclusivity in the queer film festival organization, and the significance of these events in the lives of the people who work or volunteer at these festivals.
    [Show full text]
  • Hate Crime Laws and Sexual Orientation
    The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare Volume 26 Issue 3 September Article 2 September 1999 Hate Crime Laws and Sexual Orientation Elizabeth P. Cramer Virginia Commonwealth University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw Part of the Gender and Sexuality Commons, Social Control, Law, Crime, and Deviance Commons, and the Social Work Commons Recommended Citation Cramer, Elizabeth P. (1999) "Hate Crime Laws and Sexual Orientation," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 26 : Iss. 3 , Article 2. Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol26/iss3/2 This Article is brought to you by the Western Michigan University School of Social Work. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Hate Crime Laws and Sexual Orientation ELIZABETH P. CRAMER Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work This articleprovides definitionsfor hate crimes, a summary of nationaldata on hate crime incidents, and descriptions of federal and state hate crime laws. The authorpresents variousarguments in supportof and againsthate crime laws, and the inclusion of sexual orientationin such laws. The author contends that it is illogical and a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment to exclude sexual orientationfrom hate crime laws. The perpetratorsof hate crime incidents, regardess of the target group, have similar motives and perpetratesimilar types of assaults; the victims experience similarphysical and psychological harm. Excluding a class of persons who are targets of hate crimes denies them equal protection under the law because the Equal ProtectionClause of the FourteenthAmendment establishes a fundamental right to equal benefit of laws protecting personal security. Laramie, Wyoming, October 7, 1998: A gay college student was brutally beaten by two men who smashed his skull with a pistol butt and lashed him to a split-rail fence.
    [Show full text]
  • Homophobia and Transphobia Illumination Project Curriculum
    Homophobia and Transphobia Illumination Project Curriculum Andrew S. Forshee, Ph.D., Early Education & Family Studies Portland Community College Portland, Oregon INTRODUCTION Homophobia and transphobia are complicated topics that touch on core identity issues. Most people tend to conflate sexual orientation with gender identity, thus confusing two social distinctions. Understanding the differences between these concepts provides an opportunity to build personal knowledge, enhance skills in allyship, and effect positive social change. GROUND RULES (10­15 minutes) Materials: chart paper, markers, tape. Due to the nature of the topic area, it is essential to develop ground rules for each student to follow. Ask students to offer some rules for participation in the post­performance workshop (i.e., what would help them participate to their fullest). Attempt to obtain a group consensus before adopting them as the official “social contract” of the group. Useful guidelines include the following (Bonner Curriculum, 2009; Hardiman, Jackson, & Griffin, 2007): Respect each viewpoint, opinion, and experience. Use “I” statements – avoid speaking in generalities. The conversations in the class are confidential (do not share information outside of class). Set own boundaries for sharing. Share air time. Listen respectfully. No blaming or scapegoating. Focus on own learning. Reference to PCC Student Rights and Responsibilities: http://www.pcc.edu/about/policy/student­rights/student­rights.pdf DEFINING THE CONCEPTS (see Appendix A for specific exercise) An active “toolkit” of terminology helps support the ongoing dialogue, questioning, and understanding about issues of homophobia and transphobia. Clear definitions also provide a context and platform for discussion. Homophobia: a psychological term originally developed by Weinberg (1973) to define an irrational hatred, anxiety, and or fear of homosexuality.
    [Show full text]
  • Rethinking the Binary
    Oppressor and Oppressed: Rethinking the Binary Jasbir Puar Discusses Domestic Violence Narika was founded in Berkeley in 1991 to aid South Asian battered women. Jasbir Puar was a board member from 1995 to 1998, as well as a volunteer and consultant on the Youth Outreach Project through June 1999. She spoke to Munia in March 1998 about addressing questions of same-sex domestic violence in South Asian communities through Narika. M: Tell me about Narika’s same-sex initiatives and how you got to that place. J: Several years ago we tried to put together a support group for South Asian women. We had long discussions about language: in the end we said it was for lesbians, bisexuals, questioning f2m transgendered persons and women who love women. We didn’t get any calls during the time the advertisement ran. My goal was to basically have this space that Trikone didn’t seem to be really addressing. My sense of why the group didn’t come together is that the kinds of communities we live in need different kinds of outreach. We started, for example, doing outreach at Bhangra gigs and at straight, queer, and mixed events. HIV/AIDS organizations generally do this kind of outreach, but not queer domestic violence organizations, whereas South Asian domestic violence organizations might focus on tabling at cultural events. So we kind of hybridized the approaches and it was very successful. M: What other kinds of outreach are needed? J: I t ’s precisely because this kind of support group does ghettoize the issue that it feels manageable.
    [Show full text]
  • The Challenges and Approaches to Working with Lesbian, Gay
    ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; Psychology 604 Ethics Paper heterosexist statement; one is rhetorically assuming that a particular male client has a girlfriend and that The Challenges he is heterosexual. A question like the one mentioned above can inhibit the culture-speciÞc experiences of and Approaches to LGBT clients (Garnets & Kimmel, 1993). Working with Lesbian, LGBT Challenges Adolescence is a time of crisis for LGBT youths Gay, Bisexual, and trying to develop his or her identity. Like a typical adolescent, LGBT youth strive for Þtting in with Transgender Youth their peers but feel ÔdifferentÕ due to their sexual Edward M. Johns orientation (Morrow, 1993) in a society that may not have acceptance. Abstract This ÒdifferenceÓ, according to Vare (1998), comes Psychologists working with adolescents are between the age of 13 and 26 when both males and bound to encounter many unique challenges females discover his or her same-sex attraction. regarding those of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and This age can be rather difÞcult because LGBT youth Transgendered (LGBT) youth that must be dealt not only have to deal with the same pressures that with careful considerations. As an ethical duty to the typical adolescent period pervades, but they understand and support LGBT youth, it is the purpose also have signiÞcantly higher stress levels living of this paper to explore (1) the different types of in a heterosexist society that harbors homophobia challenges that are encountered by LGBT youth such (Coleman, 1996; DÕAugelli, 2002). as stigmatization in a heterosexual society, and (2) the Homophobia, according to Lips (1988) is the techniques that can help mental health practitioners Òwidespread irrational fear and intolerance towards provide a safe and supportive environment, working homosexuality.Ó This intolerance is often displayed against stigmatization and oppression of the LGBT with verbal and physical homophobic gestures such population.
    [Show full text]
  • Public Opinion and Discourse on the Intersection of LGBT Issues and Race the Opportunity Agenda
    Opinion Research & Media Content Analysis Public Opinion and Discourse on the Intersection of LGBT Issues and Race The Opportunity Agenda Acknowledgments This research was conducted by Loren Siegel (Executive Summary, What Americans Think about LGBT People, Rights and Issues: A Meta-Analysis of Recent Public Opinion, and Coverage of LGBT Issues in African American Print and Online News Media: An Analysis of Media Content); Elena Shore, Editor/Latino Media Monitor of New America Media (Coverage of LGBT Issues in Latino Print and Online News Media: An Analysis of Media Content); and Cheryl Contee, Austen Levihn- Coon, Kelly Rand, Adriana Dakin, and Catherine Saddlemire of Fission Strategy (Online Discourse about LGBT Issues in African American and Latino Communities: An Analysis of Web 2.0 Content). Loren Siegel acted as Editor-at-Large of the report, with assistance from staff of The Opportunity Agenda. Christopher Moore designed the report. The Opportunity Agenda’s research on the intersection of LGBT rights and racial justice is funded by the Arcus Foundation. The statements made and views expressed are those of The Opportunity Agenda. Special thanks to those who contributed to this project, including Sharda Sekaran, Shareeza Bhola, Rashad Robinson, Kenyon Farrow, Juan Battle, Sharon Lettman, Donna Payne, and Urvashi Vaid. About The Opportunity Agenda The Opportunity Agenda was founded in 2004 with the mission of building the national will to expand opportunity in America. Focused on moving hearts, minds, and policy over time, the organization works with social justice groups, leaders, and movements to advance solutions that expand opportunity for everyone. Through active partnerships, The Opportunity Agenda synthesizes and translates research on barriers to opportunity and corresponding solutions; uses communications and media to understand and influence public opinion; and identifies and advocates for policies that improve people’s lives.
    [Show full text]
  • From Sissy to Sickening: the Indexical Landscape of /S/ in Soma, San Francisco
    From sissy to sickening: the indexical landscape of /s/ in SoMa, San Francisco Jeremy Calder University of Colorado, Boulder [email protected] ABSTRACT: This paper explores the relation between the linguistic and the visual in communicating social meaning and performing gender, focusing on fronted /s/ among a community of drag queens in SoMa, San Francisco. I argue that as orders of indexicality (Silverstein 2003) are established, linguistic features like fronted /s/ become linked with visual bodies. These body-language links can impose top-down restrictions on the uptake of gender performances. Non-normatively gendered individuals like the SoMa queens embody cross-modal figures of personhood (see Agha 2003; Agha 2004) like the fierce queen that forge higher indexical orders and widen the range of performative agency. KEY WORDS: Indexicality, performativity, queer linguistics, gender, drag queens 1 Introduction This paper explores the relation between the linguistic and the visual in communicating social meaning. Specifically, I analyze the roles language and the body play in gender performances (see Butler 1990) among a community of drag queens and queer performance artists in the SoMa neighborhood of San Francisco, California, and what these gender performances illuminate about the ideological connections between language, body, and gender performativity more generally. I focus on fronted /s/, i.e. the articulation of /s/ forward in the mouth, which results in a higher acoustic frequency and has been shown to be ideologically
    [Show full text]
  • Police Department Model Policy on Interactions with Transgender People
    POLICE DEPARTMENT MODEL POLICY ON INTERACTIONS WITH TRANSGENDER PEOPLE National Center for TRANSGENDER EQUALITY This model policy document reflects national best policies and practices for police officers’ interactions with transgender people. The majority of these policies were originally developed by the National LGBT/HIV Criminal Justice Working Group along with a broader set of model policies addressing issues including police sexual misconduct and issues faced by people living with HIV. Specific areas of the original model policy were updated and modified for use as the foundation for NCTE’s publication “Failing to Protect and Serve: Police Department Policies Towards Transgender People,” which also evaluates the policies of the largest 25 police departments in the U.S. This publication contains model language for police department policies, as well as other criteria about policies that should be met for police departments that seek to implement best practices. The larger Working Group’s model policies developed by Andrea J. Ritchie and the National LGBTQ/HIV Criminal Justice Working Group, a coalition of nearly 40 organizations including NCTE, can be found in the appendices of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) “Gender, Sexuality, and 21st Century Policing” report. While these are presented as model policies, they should be adapted by police departments in collaboration with local transgender leaders to better serve their community. For assistance in policy development and review, please contact Racial and Economic Justice Policy Advocate, Mateo De La Torre, at [email protected] or 202-804-6045, or [email protected] or 202-642-4542. NCTE does not charge for these services.
    [Show full text]