Research:
I’m
sure that by now most of you have a good understanding of what stereotyping is,
but if still in doubt, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, stereotyping is,
“an idea that is used to describe a particular type of person or thing, or a
person or thing thought to represent such an idea” Although there are many kind
of stereotypes, some I can think of that not only affect me personally, but
thousands of others who are part of the LGBTQI community are gay stereotypes.
In a Huffington post titled “Myths and Stereotypes That Dehumanize Gay Men Must
Be Challenged…” writer Murray Lipp debunks common myths and stereotypes addressed
towards gay men such as: all gay men are feminine, all gay men are attracted to
all men, gay men mimic guy/girl roles in relationships, along with a few
others. These may come off as funny or humorous to some, yet it is an ongoing
issue that these stereotypes have a big impact on people’s views, thoughts, and
beliefs towards gay people.
For one, although some gay men are feminine,
the thought that all gay men are feminine is absurd. From my perspective, it's
not only false, but it leads to public shaming towards gay men who are, and there’s
nothing wrong with it. The other example I said about all gay men being
attracted to all men is another one I'd like to point out because not only is
it false, but it leads to discrimination in places such as the military, the
workplace, or in any other scenario involving people such as friends. Due to
that these issues don't involve anyone who isn't gay; these kinds of common
stereotypes are viewed as subtle jokes or humorous remarks. In another article
titled, “Stereotyping from the Perspective of Perceivers and Targets”,
authors Saera R, Kahn, Teena Benda, and Michael N. Stagnaro, explain how
stereotypes, "are seen as a heuristic that allows us to simplify our world
and form quick judgments about other people based upon their group membership,"(Benda,
Kahn, and Stagnaro, 2012). In return, these quick judgements end up having
serious consequences that lead to forms of discrimination, prejudice, and other
forms of hatred towards the people being stereotyped. Because the people who stereotype
don’t understand the impact of their words, it is important to educate so that
they don’t repeat their mistakes twice.
In addition, these
common stereotypes tend to be portrayed within the media and even social medias,
which lead to a portrayal of what a gay man should be or look like. The good
thing about these stereotypes is that according to the article written by Kahn,
Benda, and Stagnaro, some methods of interventions against these, and other kinds
of stereotypes are through, "contact, re-categorization, bookkeeping, and
changing our attributions."(Kahn, at all, 2012). When mentioning contact
it means to build relationships with the people who are being stereotyped to
understand what they’re going through, and to realize that stereotypes aren't
always true. Re-categorization is seen as a good benefit from interactions with
others because it leads to a person being more acceptable and open minded to
different kinds of people. According to the article, the bookkeeping model is
where "perceivers unconsciously tally up stereotypically confirming versus
disconfirming information,"(Kahn at all, 2012). and then come to realized
that when the disconfirming information is shown to be proven more than the
stereotypical confirmation it leads to less biases. Lastly, by saying that we
need to change our attributions it means that by viewing situations logically
rather than believing what is because of a stereotype, makes people less likely
to make stereotypical judgements about other people.
In
conclusion, I’d like to end by saying that stereotypes have a huge impact on
the people they’re directed towards. It is important for one to think before
they make quick judgements of others, and if they’re unsure of something to
just ask or do their research. As for those who don’t, and can’t break the
cycle of stereotyping, then there are the intervention methods of contact, re-categorization,
bookkeeping, and changing our attributions to help educated and stop the
oppression of others.
References:
Definition of
"stereotype" - English Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2017,
from http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/stereotype
Khan, S. R.,
Benda, T., & Stagnaro, M. N. (2012). Stereotyping From the Perspective of
Perceivers and Targets. Online Readings in Psychology and Culture, 5(1).
doi:10.9707/2307-0919.1043
Lipp, M. (2013,
June 19). Myths and Stereotypes That Dehumanize Gay Men Must Be Challenged:
Start With These 10! Retrieved April 20, 2017, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/murray-lipp/gay-men-myths-stereotypes_b_3463172.html
Personal:
As a gay man I can say that I've felt the backlash of these kind of
stereotypes, because I'm not what most consider a "typical" gay
guy. For a while it was difficult understanding myself; my likes and dislikes,
and for a long time I disliked myself because I was lost with the person I
thought I was. When I came to accept myself as a gay man I was judged within
the gay community(which I found to be ironic since I was being oppressed by the
group of the oppressed) because I wasn't the typical gay guy who liked certain
music, followed certain trends nor was into the aesthetic of having the perfect
physic. I came to love myself for who I am, and I can say that today I feel
comfortable in my own skin. Regardless of what race, sexual orientation, or
class you fit in there will always be some stereotype to be said. The good new
is that there are ways of stopping these misconceptions by educating yourself
along with others.
"Because
I am a bisexual woman, bisexual stereotypes convey a certain personality I'm
supposed to have in the eyes of gay, and straight people "-Amariana
Pelaez-Saavedra
"Stereotypes have always been brought up because of my job, which is hairstyling, but I do hair because it's something I'm passionate about. Not because I'm gay."-Brandon Avila
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