Sexual Orientation
Although the definition of sexual orientation includes heterosexuality, as well as homosexuality, bisexuality, lesbianism and, often, trans-identification, harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation is usually targeted at persons who are, or are perceived to be, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, two-spirited* and/or transgender.
Discrimination and Sexual Orientation
Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation involves unfair, differential treatment of individuals and groups based not on individual merit, but on assumptions and stereotypes about their (real or perceived) sexual orientation. Many transgender people suffer discrimination due to their gender identity and due to their real or perceived sexual orientation.
Harassment and Sexual Orientation
Harassment involves unwanted or unwelcome comments, conduct or behaviour, such as gestures, threats, or verbal, written or physical abuse which humiliates, intimidates, excludes and isolates an individual or group based on this ground. Overall, this type of harassment undermines self-esteem and is a violation of the dignity and security of the individual or group(s) that it targets.
Discrimination and harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation is often talked about using the terms heterosexism or homophobia:
Heterosexism is based on societal values and personal belief systems which dictate that everyone is, or should be, heterosexual. It is intentional or unintentional privileging of heterosexuality and heterosexual persons, and negative valuing or treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, two-spirited, queer and/or transgender persons (or those perceived to be so). In this society, heterosexuality is privileged. It is assumed that one is heterosexual "unless otherwise known".
Heterosexism is reinforced by many institutions and life patterns in society. The policies and practices of institutions that exclude, deny, erase or discriminate against these individuals or groups of people contribute to systemic heterosexism. For example, if an employer gives benefits only to married couples, this discriminates against same sex couples who do not have the legal right to marry.
Homophobia is a term used to describe harassing treatment, fear, hatred, or extreme negative attitudes, feelings and beliefs about lesbian, gay, two-spirited, bisexual, queer and/or transgender persons (or those perceived to be of those sexual orientations).
Homophobia is often accompanied by disgust, intolerance, ignorance and prejudice and can range from feelings of discomfort to outright hatred and violence. Homophobia includes discrimination and harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation, individual negative behaviours and remarks, and institutionalized forms of discrimination.
Homophobia is the umbrella term that encompasses homophobia (a term used for harassment of gay men, or, more widely, of people of all non-heterosexual orientations), lesbophobia (harassment of lesbians), biphobia (harassment of bisexuals) and transphobia (harassment of transgender or trans-identified persons). The term also encompasses harassment of two-spirited persons *.
* The term two-spirited is an aboriginal term used to refer to [some] First Nations persons who identify themselves as having same-sex attractions and desires (i.e. gay, lesbian, bisexual or queer). Traditionally, two-spirited persons were considered to be visionaries and healers who possessed both male and female spirits. Homophobia has caused this term to lose some of its original reverence. However, the term two-spirited is now starting to be reclaimed in aboriginal communities and used, not as a term of contempt, but as one of respect.
Sexual orientation-based harassment can include:
Physical
- Intimidating or derogatory gestures
- Gay-bashing and other forms of physical or sexual violence, assault or threats of violence
Verbal
- Negative or derogatory comments, innuendo, insults or slurs about gay, lesbian, bisexual, two-spirited, transgender and/or queer persons
- Offensive nicknaming or name-calling
- Privileging of heterosexuality as everyone's assumed orientation "unless known otherwise"
- Silencing of talk about sexual diversity or treating topics of gay, lesbian, bisexual, two-spirited, transgender and/or queer issues differently than other issues
- Forcing people to "come out" or stay "in the closet" against their wishes
- Linking homosexuality with pedophilia or child abuse
- Written threats or derogatory emails
Non-verbal
- Homophobic graffiti or posters
- Assuming non-heterosexual persons "recruit" others to join their sexual orientation
- Negative stereotyping of particular groups based on their sexual orientation
- Assuming that sexual orientation is solely about sexual practice, is a "lifestyle choice" or is an orientation less valid than heterosexuality
- Literature that promotes hatred towards persons based on their sexual orientation
- Assuming that all gay people have AIDS or are responsible for the spread of it
Last reviewed 
2/17/2011 6:39:06 PM
