| Anti-semitism - Discrimination based on
Jewish lineage or identity. Bisexual - A person who may be
sexually or emotionally attracted to either men
or women; woman who may relate sexually or
emotionally to either men or woman.
Coming
out
- Acknowledging one's
non-heterosexual identity, to oneself or to
others.
Discrimination - Hostile or unequal
treatment of an individual or group; creating or
promoting social inequality.
Dyke - Another term used to
describe a lesbian.
Equal
opportunity - Equal opportunity exists
when every person has the same chance to
participate in all areas of life. These include
health, education, law, housing, economic
development, work and access to services. Equal
opportunity cannot exist without its
sub-component, equal access. For example, health
services may be open to all, but if lesbians
receive hostile treatment from doctors, they do
not have equal access to those services.
Gay man - A man who is sexually or
emotionally attracted to men; a man who relates
sexually or emotionally to men.
Gay
woman - Another term used to
describe a lesbian.
Gender
role
- The set of
characteristics which a culture expects from
people of each sex. Gender roles also prescribe
the relationship between men and women,(e.g.. Man
protects woman, woman minds man's home etc.)
Heterosexists claim that gender roles are
dictated by nature and use that 'fact' to
discriminate against lesbians. Some lesbians also
choose to act out either 'male' or 'female'
gender roles. Heterosexism The ideology which
states that heterosexuality is the only
acceptable form of sexual/cultural expression;
the implementation of heterosexist ideology
through policy or action.
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Lesbian - A woman who is sexually
or emotionally attracted to women; a woman who
relates sexually or emotionally to women.
Homophobia -Ideas or actions rooted
in fear of or antagonism towards lesbians and
gays. Ideas or actions which obstruct the
existence and development of the lesbian and gay
population.
Myth - A popular idea about
social patterns which is based on false
assumptions such as, women need/want to be
protected by men.
Oppression - The systematic exclusion,
domination and unequal treatment of individuals
or groups within a society.
Queer - Another term used to
describe a lesbian, or a gay man.
Racism - Discrimination based on
race/ethnicity.
Sectarianism - Discrimination based on
religious identity.
Stereotypes - A set of images and
expectations relating to appearance, behaviour
and personality traits of particular groups in
society which bear no reference to individuals.
Stereotypes are often far from reality, are
constantly reinforced through the popular media
and become ingrained in the popular psyche. One
stereotype of a lesbian is that of a mannish,
man-hating woman. Sexism - Hostile or discriminatory
treatment on the basis of gender; the creation of
unequal power relationships on the basis of
gender; requiring, expecting or encouraging
people to act out gender roles.
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