10.3 Changing attitudes towards sexuality and gender expression

The sexual revolution of the 1960s and 70s challenged traditional norms around sexuality and gender. This period saw a shift in attitudes, with people questioning long-held beliefs about sexual behavior, gender roles, and identity expression. The Stonewall Riots in 1969 marked a turning point for LGBTQ+ rights.

These changes sparked both progress and backlash. While there was growing acceptance of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, conservative groups opposed LGBTQ+ rights. The AIDS crisis in the 1980s further complicated public perceptions, leading to increased activism but also fueling stigma and discrimination.

Societal Attitudes During the Sexual Revolution

Challenging Traditional Norms

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• The sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s challenged traditional norms around sexuality, gender roles, and expressions of identity
• Questioned and rejected long-held beliefs about appropriate sexual behavior, gender expectations, and relationship structures
• Advocated for greater individual freedom and autonomy in sexual and gender expression

Stonewall Riots as a Turning Point

• The Stonewall Riots in 1969 marked a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, sparking protests and activism that brought issues of sexual orientation and gender identity into the public consciousness
• Violent confrontations between police and patrons at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City, galvanized the LGBTQ+ community
• Led to the formation of activist groups (Gay Liberation Front, Gay Activists Alliance) and annual pride marches to demand equal rights and visibility

Destigmatizing Diverse Sexual Orientations

• The removal of homosexuality from the DSM in 1973 was a significant milestone in destigmatizing diverse sexual orientations within the medical and psychiatric communities
• Declassification as a mental disorder challenged the notion that homosexuality was a pathology or illness in need of treatment
• Reflected evolving scientific understanding and growing activism by gay rights advocates

Impact of the AIDS Crisis

• The AIDS crisis of the 1980s had a profound impact on the LGBTQ+ community, leading to increased visibility and activism but also fueling stigma and discrimination
• Disproportionate impact on gay and bisexual men led to greater public awareness of LGBTQ+ issues and health concerns
• Activist groups (ACT UP, Gay Men's Health Crisis) formed to demand government action, challenge stigma, and provide support services
• Backlash and discrimination (calls for quarantine, blaming of LGBTQ+ community) highlighted ongoing challenges and need for solidarity

Gradual Shifts Toward Acceptance

• Gradual shifts in public opinion, legal protections, and representation in media and politics have contributed to greater acceptance and equality for LGBTQ+ individuals, although progress has been uneven and ongoing
• Increasing visibility and positive representation in popular culture (Ellen DeGeneres, Will & Grace)
• Legal victories (Lawrence v. Texas, Obergefell v. Hodges) and anti-discrimination protections
• Greater social acceptance and understanding of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities
• Ongoing challenges (violence, discrimination, unequal access) and intersectional disparities

Media and Sexuality Norms

Literature and Journalism

• Literature, such as works by James Baldwin, Rita Mae Brown, and Edmund White, explored themes of sexual orientation and gender identity, giving voice to marginalized experiences
• Novels (Giovanni's Room, Rubyfruit Jungle) and non-fiction works (The Celluloid Closet) challenged norms and brought LGBTQ+ stories to wider audiences
• Magazines and newspapers, such as The Advocate and Gay Community News, provided platforms for LGBTQ+ voices and helped build a sense of community and shared identity
• Investigative reporting and opinion pieces raised awareness of issues facing LGBTQ+ individuals

Television and Film Representation

• Television shows and films began to feature more diverse representations of sexuality and gender, although often in limited or stereotypical roles
• Early depictions often relied on negative stereotypes or tragic storylines (bury your gays trope)
• Groundbreaking portrayals (The Boys in the Band, An Early Frost, Ellen) sparked conversations and paved the way for more nuanced representation
• Increasing diversity of LGBTQ+ characters and storylines in mainstream media, though still lacking in fully representative and intersectional portrayals

Music and Art

• Music and art by LGBTQ+ creators, such as Sylvester, Freddie Mercury, and Keith Haring, challenged norms and celebrated diverse expressions of identity
• Disco and club culture provided spaces for LGBTQ+ expression and community building
• Queer themes and aesthetics in art (Robert Mapplethorpe, David Wojnarowicz) pushed boundaries and sparked debates around censorship and public funding
• Influence on fashion, design, and visual culture reflected growing visibility and cultural impact of LGBTQ+ creators

Advertising and Marketing

• Advertising and marketing increasingly targeted LGBTQ+ consumers, reflecting growing acceptance and visibility of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities
• Early ads often used coded language or imagery to signal to LGBTQ+ audiences without alienating mainstream consumers
• Inclusion of LGBTQ+ themes and characters in mainstream campaigns (Ikea, Subaru) marked a shift towards more explicit representation
• Criticisms of "pink washing" or superficial appeals to LGBTQ+ consumers without meaningful support for the community

New Sexual and Gender Identities

Development of Language and Labels

• The sexual revolution and LGBTQ+ activism led to the development of new language and labels to describe diverse sexual orientations and gender identities
• Terms such as "gay," "lesbian," "bisexual," and "transgender" gained wider usage and acceptance, providing a shared vocabulary for discussing identity and experience
• Reclaiming of previously pejorative terms (queer, dyke) as expressions of pride and resistance
• Debates around language and identity labels as LGBTQ+ community sought to define itself on its own terms

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

• The concept of sexual orientation as distinct from gender identity became more widely understood and accepted
• Recognition that individuals may identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or other orientations regardless of their gender identity
• Growing understanding of transgender and non-binary identities as distinct from sexual orientation
• Challenges to binary and essentialist notions of gender and sexuality

Emerging Identities and Terms

• New identities and terms, such as "pansexual," "genderqueer," and "non-binary," have emerged to describe experiences that do not fit within traditional binary categories of sexuality and gender
• Pansexual refers to attraction regardless of gender, challenging limitations of binary orientation labels
• Genderqueer and non-binary describe gender identities outside of man/woman categories
• Reflects ongoing evolution and diversity of LGBTQ+ identities and experiences

Self-Determination and Inclusivity

• Ongoing debates and discussions around language and labels reflect the evolving nature of sexual and gender identities and the importance of self-determination and inclusivity
• Emphasis on individuals' right to self-identify and choose labels that feel authentic to their experiences
• Recognition of intersectionality and diversity within LGBTQ+ communities
• Balancing specificity and inclusivity in language and identity categories
• Continued evolution of terminology to better capture the complexity of LGBTQ+ identities

Backlash and Acceptance of LGBTQ+

Conservative Opposition

• The sexual revolution and LGBTQ+ activism were met with significant backlash and resistance from conservative political and religious groups
• Viewed LGBTQ+ rights and changing sexual mores as a threat to traditional values and social order
• Portrayed LGBTQ+ individuals as immoral, unnatural, or dangerous to children and families
• Mobilized voters and resources to oppose LGBTQ+ rights and visibility

Anti-LGBTQ+ Campaigns and Policies

• Anita Bryant's "Save Our Children" campaign in the 1970s sought to repeal anti-discrimination laws and fueled anti-gay rhetoric and stereotypes
• Portrayed gay rights as a threat to children and linked homosexuality with pedophilia
• Successful in repealing anti-discrimination ordinances in several cities
• The Moral Majority and other conservative organizations mobilized in the 1980s to oppose LGBTQ+ rights and promote "traditional family values"
• Lobbied against gay rights legislation and supported candidates who opposed LGBTQ+ equality
• Policies such as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (1993) and the Defense of Marriage Act (1996) codified discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in the military and in marriage rights
• Barred openly LGBTQ+ individuals from serving in the military and defined marriage as between one man and one woman

Ongoing Struggles for Equality

• Ongoing battles over issues such as same-sex marriage, adoption rights, and transgender equality reflect the continued struggle for full acceptance and legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals
• Incremental victories (state-level marriage equality, repeal of DADT) met with resistance and backlash
• Transgender rights emerged as a focal point in debates over public accommodations, healthcare, and youth sports
• Hate crimes, discrimination, and unequal treatment in areas such as employment, housing, and healthcare remain significant challenges for the LGBTQ+ community
• Disproportionate rates of violence, poverty, and negative health outcomes
• Lack of federal non-discrimination protections in many areas of life

Intersectional Experiences

• Intersections of LGBTQ+ identity with race, class, religion, and other factors shape experiences of marginalization and resistance
• LGBTQ+ people of color face compounded discrimination and erasure within both LGBTQ+ and racial justice movements
• Socioeconomic disparities and lack of access to resources impact LGBTQ+ health, safety, and wellbeing
• Tensions between LGBTQ+ identity and religious beliefs can lead to rejection, isolation, or attempts to "change" sexual orientation or gender identity
• Importance of intersectional approaches to LGBTQ+ advocacy and support