Cultural Perceptions of Homosexuality Before and After 1869

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by families, friends, and local social groups that help maintain and sustain cultural perceptions. The overall lower/middle class, thus, will likely sustain cultural perceptions over time, including biases and prejudices like sexism that is directed towards individuals like homosexuals. Today, it is also an ingrained cultural norm within certain aspects of American society to look upon homosexuals as less deserving of rights and positive treatment (Remafedi, 1998).

Power

Power, of course, plays another crucial role in determining social perceptions of homosexuals, both today and in the past. Prior to 1869, the American culture and experiment was grounded largely on Christian values, or general theistic ones. Through religious and governmental powers, the actual existence of power centers in society helped maintain the level of cultural perceptions regarding homosexuality. The church alone, through its power centers, was fundamental in exacerbating and sustaining the negative social perceptions towards homosexuality. To this day, this is still the case in the United States, and it is sustained through power and multigenerational standards (Rights, 2009).

Conclusion

Conclusively, elements like sex, gender, age, class, and power all play a role in determining homosexual perceptions, both past and present. Sex defined personal norms, which transferred out into general cultural standards. Similarly, gender and age, along with class, have effected these perceptions through generational culture. Power, as well, has helped maintain these concepts in society. In culmination, they have all played a role in modern perceptions and opinions regarding homosexuality.

References

Remafedi, G. (1998). “The relationship between suicide risk and sexual orientation: results of a population-based study.” Retrieved February 7, 2013 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1508407/pdf/amjph00013-0059.pdf

Rictor Norton, A Critique of Social Constructionism and Postmodern Queer Theory, "Social Constructionism", 1 June 2002 http://www.rictornorton.co.uk/social02.htm

Rights. (2009). “Gay rights movement.” Retrieved February 7, 2013 from http://marriage.laws.com/gay-rights-movement