“During the course of the ‘90s homosexuality went from being largely invisible to shockingly visible to fairly pedestrian” [1]
I was recently asked to talk at a Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) meeting. As the inviter and I debated on the topic, we decided to focus it on changes that have happened and emerging trends in the queer community. Although I have studied various aspects of gay and lesbian life for the past 12 years, in the area of emerging trends, one can only be speculative at best – one person’s opinion is just that. With that caveat in mind, here goes. . .
1. Growing Acceptance of Sexual Minorities – This one is a no-brainer really. God, before 1969, it was a criminal offense to be caught engaging in homosexual behaviour in Canada and homosexuality was considered a mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association (many Canadian psychologists and psychiatrists subscribe to their diagnostic system) until 1973. Now we have the same legal rights as heterosexuals, including hate speech and hate crime protection, same-sex marriage, and protection in all other legal areas of which I am aware.
The Americans have also experienced significant change. Gallup polls since 1977 have asked whether homosexual relations should be legal. From 1977 to 2007, this aspect of gay rights went from 43% to 59%, respectively. [2] Furthermore, today the majority of Americans (56%) believe that sexual orientation cannot be changed, compared to 36% ten years ago. [3] Media representations of sexual minorities are also more positive in every domain, again suggesting a trend toward an increasingly positive view of us.
2. Growing Interest and Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage – In order of legislation, the following places in the world have legalized same-sex marriage: the Netherlands, Belgium, Massachusetts, Spain, Canada (several individual provinces/territories legalized it before it became national on July 20, 2005), and most recently, South Africa (since November 30, 2006). Canadians for Equal Marriage announced on November 20, 2006 that a total of 12,438 same-sex marriages had occurred in Canada up to that point. [4] Interestingly, of the 774 same-sex marriages performed in BC in 2003, 55.9% of these occurred between couples who were not residents of Canada! [5] Canada and Belgium are the only two places in the world that allow non-residents to bond in same-sex marriage.
My prediction is that more countries will legalize same-sex marriage as a domino effect begins to occur. Even the conservative US is showing trends of increasing acceptance. In 1996, only 27% of Americans believed that same-sex marriage was legitimate, compared to 46% in May 2007. [6]
3. Changing Dating Patterns – As you can imagine, it would have been difficult to have dated openly before 1969 as a same-sex couple, given that both of you could have been imprisoned if it were known that you were having sex with each other – or maybe a “happy” parent would have tried to get you committed to a psyc ward! As David Reuben stated in his pathetic book called, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex But Were Afraid to Ask, [7] gay men pursued the penis, not the person, as they trolled around bathroom stalls waiting for the next dick to suck. When a society makes a loving behaviour (that being engaging in an intimate, deep, and meaningful relationship with someone) illegal, people are forced to relegate their behaviour to something less admirable, or at least something clandestine for fear of getting caught. Today, I hear young and old queer individuals talk about the possibility of marriage in the context of their dating. It is easy to forget that these conversations were virtually unheard of only three years ago.
4. Changing Patterns of Sexual Behaviour – Our sexual behaviour (particularly that of gay men) has also changed, in part due to the legitimization of same-sex relationships, but also in part due to how the onset of HIV/AIDS in 1981 changed the rampant pursuit of male-male sex to something that needed to become less manic and more responsible. Fewer individuals are reporting the rapid and frequent casual sexual liaisons that became somewhat defining of male-male sex in the 1970s in Canada and the US.
Unfortunately, the changing pattern of sexual behaviour is not all favourable. As I reported in Queer Quest in August and September 2007, barebacking (unprotected anal intercourse) is on the increase with concomitant increases in HIV transmission. We do NOT have a cure for the virus, but life can be prolonged for many (but not all) with the antiretroviral combination drug therapies. For several psychological reasons, some people are forgetting or denying the eventual lethality of HIV/AIDS.
5. Bisexuality as a Legitimate Sexual Orientation – It used to be thought by heterosexual and queer people alike that bisexuality was a transition to becoming gay or lesbian. That perspective has been successfully refuted, particularly through the longitudinal work of researcher Lisa Diamond. She has tracked about 80 women with sexual minority identities for the past 10 years, and she has found that the majority of bisexual women have not relinquished their identities over this time span. [8]
6. Fluidity of Women’s Sexuality and Less Labelling of One’s Sexuality – Another important finding from Lisa Diamond’s work is showing that women with sexual minority identities change their identity labels over time. Over her 10-year study, two-thirds of the women have changed identity labels (e.g., lesbian to bisexual or lesbian to unlabeled) at least once, and one-third have changed their labels two or more times. The most commonly adopted identity was “unlabeled.” [9]
Diamond’s study and that of several others is often used as an argument to suggest that nearly everyone – men included – has a flexible sexual orientation. It is an interesting theoretical question, but I don’t know of many heterosexual individuals – male or female – who question their sexuality and consider “going to the other side” for a while. Also, there is a difference between sexual identity (the label you give to your sexuality – usually gay, lesbian, or heterosexual) and sexual orientation (the gender you fall in love with romantically or feel the strongest sexual attraction toward).
My prediction, however, is that we will see more people experiment with same-sex sexuality and perhaps even same-sex relationships. Some American data already suggests that this might be happening (or maybe just more people are willing to report they have experienced a same-sex relationship than before). [10, 11] I also predict that fewer men and women will label their sexuality, preferring instead to not use a label (as in Diamond’s study). As people gain more choices, it takes longer to decide what is and what is not for them, similar to how difficult it can be today to decide on a career choice (or on several career choices).
7. Changes in the Transsexual Community – I came across a recent American dissertation and the author argues that the transgender movement is growing, along with activism associated with this. [12] Certainly many trans people are coming forward to begin a process of transition, and that may be occurring more frequently in a province like Alberta where the cost of gender reassignment surgery is covered by health care (this is not the case in all provinces). As I have mentioned in a previous Queer Quest column, the trans community remains small by comparison to the gay and lesbian community, and when it comes to activism, they need our continued support. I have helped several trans clients transition at their place of work in Calgary, and I have been very impressed by the respect they are provided by their managers and colleagues. Although gender identity is not specifically mentioned in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, neither is sexual orientation – that has been “written in” after several court challenges occurred.
Trans people are still largely misunderstood, and it concerns me that no psychiatrist has come forward in Calgary to begin working with them. At present, the only gender clinic is in Edmonton, and getting there regularly is difficult for many individuals. I predict that this situation will improve over the next few years, however, as Dr. Warneke’s fine work continues to create empathy with those psychiatrists-in-training that he mentors.
8. De-Ghettoization of the Gay Community – In larger cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, gay villages or ghettos emerged, partly in response to the oppression and victimization that gays and lesbians once faced. Victimization has not stopped in its entirety, by the way. One report I read indicated that sexual orientation is the basis of hate-motivated crimes in about 10 percent of reported cases in Canada. In 2005, the police in Calgary reported there were 16 offenses related to sexual orientation out of a total of 96 hate-motivated crimes reported (about 17%). [13] As I wrote in Queer Quest in July 2007, it remains a rare occurrence in Calgary to see gay male couples (particularly) show any form of public display of affection, such as walking hand-in-hand or kissing each other on the lips.
My prediction, however, is that this will slowly change in Calgary, perhaps especially in consequence of others moving here from more liberal places. Also, fewer people will live in the gay ghettos that do exist in Canada as they feel freer to live wherever. Nonetheless, a gay village provides more than just a sense of protection – they are also places where people can potentially enjoy a greater and more visible sense of community, and for some, this will remain important.
Lastly, I think we will continue to see fewer exclusive gay bars and gay establishments. The integration of straight and queer cultures will continue to emphasize more the infusion of straights into our culture than vice versa for some time to come, however, as many queer people remain reluctant to reveal themselves to the potentially damaging effects of being visible. For example, we still do not see many gay men dancing together in the majority of straight bars. Given that it is not uncommon to see physical fights break out in straight bars, that is perhaps especially prudent until new norms become established. I believe they will, but it will take some time.
9. Improving Mental Health of the Queer Community – Lastly, I want to mention that I believe the queer community is becoming increasingly healthier psychologically. Well known researcher Savin-Williams has written extensively about how the development of gay and lesbian youth is not that different any longer compared to straight youth. Furthermore, he claims that most are hardy, resilient individuals who will get through their adolescence unscathed. Savin-Williams also challenges the view that they are any more suicidal compared to straight youth. [14] Whether or not that is the case, clearly we live in a society that is no longer shocked or disparaged by the reality of our existence. The growing tolerance and acceptance of queer individuals is helping all of us to feel better about ourselves.
Overall, I believe we have a lot to look forward to in the coming years. We are closer to attaining full equality compared to any time in history (note: the idea of a gay community is a modern day construct, but people experiencing and acting upon same-sex desire has always existed). The current trend is toward greater respect of individual differences, whatever that might look like for you and me.
Dr. Alderson is an associate professor of counselling psychology at the University of Calgary who specializes in gay and lesbian studies. He also maintains a private practice. He can be contacted by confidential email at alderson@ucalgary.ca, or by confidential voice mail at 605-5234.
References:
1) Savin-Williams, R. C. (2008). Then and now: Recruitment, definition, diversity, and positive attributes of same-sex populations. Developmental Psychology, 44(1), 135-138. [quote contained in Doig, cited on p. 135].
2) Saad, L. (2007, May 29). Tolerance for gay rights at high-water mark. Retrieved February 25, 2008 from http://www.gallup.com/poll/27694/Tolerance-Gay-Rights-HighWater-Mark.aspx
3) Savin-Williams (2008).
4) Over 12,000 married same-sex couples. (2006, November 20). Canadians for Equal Marriage. Retrieved February 25, 2008 from http://www.equal-marriage.ca/resource.php?id=532
5) Marriages. (2007, January 17). Statistics Canada. Retrieved February 25, 2008 from http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/070117/d070117a.htm
6) Saad (2007).
7) Reuben, D. (1969). Everything you always wanted to know about sex but were afraid to ask. Toronto: Bantam.
