Introduction: Visibility within advertising can generate acceptance and normalization in society, hence it is a powerful media that is of utmost importance for the homosexual group. Portrayals in advertising equal an admission as citizens, which homosexual women are currently neglected as media circumscribe male homosexuality as norm. Knowledge of how homosexual women identifies with portrayals in advertising is currently sparse. Aim: The overall aim of this study is to satiate the gap of knowledge of portrayals of homosexual women in advertising and how the dual identity of gender and sexuality influence the interpretation of advertisements targeting homosexual women. Method: A combination of quantitative and qualitative methodology. The sample includes self-identified homosexual women recruited consecutively during a two-month period. In total 113 homosexual women participated in the study. To provide a realistic interpretation, actual print advertisements portraying female homosexuals were used as stimuli within the contexts of mainstream media and gay media. Results: The female homosexual group appears to be heterogeneous since the perception of the individual sexual identity and lifestyle was not aligned but rather dispersed. However, the participants’ perception of the sexual identity and lifestyle of the female homosexual group is that is a homogenous group. Conclusion: Within the female homosexual group a stigmatization exist regarding gender behaviour that does not correspond with the recurrent portrayal in advertising of homosexual women as a homogenous group.

The purposes of this study were threefold: 1.) to duplicate previous studies by demonstrating differences in victim blame attribution, minimization of rape, and degree of excusing the perpetrator between homosexual and heterosexual victims; 2.) determine if similar patterns will be shown with male victims as with female victims in the demonstration of rape myths when the victim and perpetrator are acquainted or strangers; and 3.) test the mediation effect of homophobia on perceptions of male rape victims. 119 university students participated. Participants read a scenario in which a homosexual or heterosexual was raped by a male stranger or acquaintance. Participants then answered questions judging the seriousness of the attack and the degree of responsibility held by the victim and perpetrator. Participants also answered questions measuring their homophobic and traditional gender role beliefs. Significant differences were found between the male and female participants in victim blame attribution and rape minimization. Significant differences were also found in the amount of blame attributed to the victim and perceived seriousness of the attack between stranger and acquaintance rape for heterosexual victims, and the degree of rape minimization between heterosexual and homosexual victims of acquaintance rape. Homophobia and gender role traditionality were not found to be mediating variables in predicting victim blame attribution, degree of rape minimization, or degree of excusing the perpetrator. This study expands the current literature by examining the effects of the victim-perpetrator relationship in perceptions of male rape victims, as well as adding to the vast amount of literature suggesting that sexual orientation plays a role in how one views a male rape victim.

Same-sex marriage has been heavily debated in academics and in the public sphere. During the 2004 Presidential election same-sex marriage became an issue that polarized the candidates. It has become a lightning rod for public debate. Due to the increasing attention to the controversy of legalizing same-sex marriage, it is an important topic for research. This paper seeks to contribute to the research of same-sex marriage by providing insight into claims-making efforts to define same-sex marriage as a social problem. My findings shed light on this topic from a social constructionist perspective by examining the use of rhetorical idioms of the claims made by opposing parties in the debate over same-sex marriage as it relates to the court ruling in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health.

The dissertation thesis deals with the issue of registered partnership and with the attitudes of predominantly homosexual public to that institute, new from both social and legal perspective. The task of the delimitation of theoretical context is to state basic concepts related to the topic. That part deals further with registered partnership, its legal and social aspects in selected European Union countries. The research part includes processing and evaluation of data got by quantitative method of questioning, when opinions of homosexual, heterosexual and bisexual respondents on the current legal regulation of homosexual couples were ascertained with the help of anonymous questionnaire investigation. Also the method of qualitative research in form of group discussion was chosen for processing of the empirical part of the thesis. The goal of the thesis was to ascertain whether the legislation is convenient from the point of view of homosexual couples and whether there are not any forms of discrimination with regard to sexuality. The author deals marginally also the sphere of parenthood in the research part and ascertains whether more female or male couples live together. Last but not least she tries to outline the issue of discrimination. The thesis allows viewing the attitudes of heterosexual, bisexual and homosexual respondents to selected discrimination areas of this issue.

The present diploma thesis explores the issue of families made up by homosexual partners. The reasons for choosing such subjekt were based on my focus on this area. The goal of the thesis was to compare opinions on possible forms of coexistence in partnership and parenthood of homosexual people collected from two groups, a group of heterosexuals and a group of homosexuals. The following hypothesis was postulated at the beinning of the survey: There are signifiant discrepancies between opinions on possible forms of coexistence in partnership and parenthood according to sexual orientation retrieved from groups of heterosexuals and homosexuals. The surveyed contingent comprised of two respondent groups. The homosexuals were included in the first one, the heterosexuals were entered into the second one. The first group included those female and male homosexuals who in one way or another keep in touch with the South-Bohemian Lambda. The second group comprised of female and male heterosexuals. A respondent from the latter group had to match a respondent from the former one in three given criteria (sex, age, and education). The survey objectives were achieved by way of asking questions. Doing so questionnaires were employed as the essentials tool. The hypothesis was confirmed. The outcome showed that heterosexuals and homosexuals have different opinions on possible forms of coexistence in partnership and parenthood of homosexual people. The results accomplished and published in this thesis are available for further studies and researches in this area and they can be used in teaching. The present thesis may also give feedback to the South-Bohemian Lambda which might find the survey´s findings very intersting.

Master of Science / Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology / Christy D. Moran / Maintaining identities of being a Christian and a lesbian or gay has traditionally in mainstream society been considered to be an oxymoron. Yet upon review, a large number of homosexuals profess to be Christians and find strength in their faith. The purpose of this report is create a hypothesis that is developed as a result of a literature review and informal interviews on the identity development and synthesis that occurs for lesbians and gays in the areas of homosexual identity and spiritual identity. To accomplish this task a comparison was made between Anthony D’Augelli’s Model of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Development (1994) and Sharon Daloz Parks Spirituality Development Theory (1986, 2000). Within the confines of this report, key attention was paid to examining whether the developmental critical paths for each area can be visually constructed as parallel lines with independent critical paths occurring simultaneously, if there is only a one line with a singular critical path or if one critical path intersects the other and therefore certain development stage(s) of one model must be completed before the individual can progress in the other model. Findings revealed that in most cases individuals did not move simultaneously on the two developmental paths. Rather, it was necessary for most individuals to be high on either the spiritual identity development model or high on the homosexual identity development model in order to move forward on the other with the goal being to gain a reconciliation between the two identities.

Bakgrund: Homosexuella personer omfattas, enligt Statens Folkhälsoinstitut, av ett större vårdbehov än heterosexuella. Historien visar åtskilliga hinder homosexuella utsatts för, samtidigt som en positiv utveckling påvisas. Hälso- och sjukvårdspersonal har olika förhållningssätt som är influerade av individuella faktorer. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att beskriva hur homosexuella personer upplever hälso- och sjukvårdspersonalens bemötande, samt beskriva de inkluderade artiklarnas undersökningsgrupp. Metod: Föreliggande studie var en beskrivande litteraturstudie baserad på 12 vetenskapliga artiklar med kvalitativ ansats. Materialet inhämtades genom databassökningar i MEDLINE. Huvudresultat: Resultatet visade ett återkommande mönster av att homosexuella personer upplevde ett dåligt bemötande från hälso- och sjukvårdspersonal, något som ansågs påverkas av bristande medkänsla, heteronormativa antaganden och att inte vara sedd för den man är. Till skillnad upplevdes ett gott bemötande vid god kommunikation, acceptans samt vänliga ord och handlingar. Samtliga studier redovisade deltagarantal och majoriteten av artiklarna presenterade inklusionskriterier samt ålder. Hälften av studierna genomfördes i Norden och 95.4 % av deltagarna var kvinnor. Slutsats: Genom beskrivningar från homosexuella personer fångades upplevelser in angående bemötanden från hälso- och sjukvårdspersonal. Upplevelserna visade otillfredsställande och oprofessionella bemötanden, som vidare var influerade av heteronormativitet. Upplevelser visade även mottagen öppenhet och givmildhet. Genom kunskap om vilka bemötanden homosexuella erfar, kan sjuksköterskan i sin profession arbeta för att främja homosexuella personers hälsa och välbefinnande. / Background: Homosexual individuals are, according to National Institute of Public Health, in a greater need of care than heterosexuals. The historical overview of homosexuals show several difficulties they’re subjected to within healthcare, however a positive development is shown. Healthcare professionals have different encounters that are influenced by individual factors. Aim: The aim of the study was to describe how homosexual individuals experience encounters given by health care professionals, and to describe the included articles study sample. Method: The present study was a descriptive literature riview based on 12 scientific articles with a qualitative approach. The material was gathered through searches of the MEDLINE database. Main Results: The result showed a repetitive pattern that homosexual individuals experienced a poor encounter from healthcare professionals, which was considered to be affected by lack of compassion, heteronormative assumptions, and not to be seen for who they are. In contrast, good treatment was experienced when good communication, acceptance and kind words and deeds were present. All of the studies reported the number of participants and the majority of the articles presented inclusion criterias and age. Half of the studies were conducted in the Nordic countries and 95.4% of the participants were women. Conclusions: With the descriptions made by homosexual individuals, the experiences was revealed regarding the encounters from healthcare professionals. These experiences showed unsatisfactory and unprofessional encounters, further influenced by heteronormative assumptions. These experiences also showed openness and generosity which had been received. Through knowledge of the encounters that homosexual individuals experiences, nurses can in their professional work towards the improvement of homosexual peoples’s health and wellbeing.

This doctoral thesis investigates "gay marketing" as a phenomena in the environment of the Czech Republic market. Gay marketing here is understood in a broad way, as: any activities of companies towards addressing specifically homosexual consumers. The main question of the thesis is if the trend of specifically addressing homosexual consumers can and will come to the Czech market. The goal of the thesis is to recognize consumer behavior of Czech homosexuals, and based on that to find out the specificities of that consumer segment. To be able to meet the ultimate goal, the research and analysis were covering also: analysis of existing literature on that topic, comparison of the homosexuals' consumer behavior with consumer behavior of general Czech population, approach of Czech companies towards "gay marketing" and analysis of Czech press targeting homosexuals.

Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology - Psychology / The relation between self-esteem and depression with regard to employment status of gay men in long-term monogamous partnerships was investigated, specifically to determine if a relation exists between employment status and self-esteem, and between employment status and depression in these men. The relation between eleven biographical and psychosocial variables with self-esteem and depression were also investigated. Non-probability snowball and purposive sampling were used to gather the sample of 56 gay male couples who were predominantly white; middle-class; well-educated; urban-dwelling South Africans; that had been involved for a mean length of 7.3 years. Each couple consisted of an employed partner and an unemployed partner, who had a mean length of 3.4 years of unemployment. Five couples (10 subjects) formed a pilot study and completed only the Revised Janis-Field Feelings of Inadequacy Scale (R-JFFIS), while the remaining 51 couples (102 subjects) completed both the R-JFFIS and the Revised Beck Depression Inventory (R-BDI). An Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) computed for the mixed effect model with fixed factor of employment status nested within the random factor of couple, controlling for the effects of the possible covariates revealed a significant difference between self-esteem of employed and unemployed partners. The difference is not significant for depression. Confirmatory evidence for the importance of age as a significant predictor of self-esteem was found for the whole sample; while perceived health and education were found to be significant predictors of depression. Self-esteem and depression were found to be inversely related in both employed and unemployed partners individually and collectively, while a positive correlation was found between self-esteem of employed and unemployed partners. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the eleven variables investigated were poor correlates of self-esteem in both partners. Only perceived health was found to be a significant predictor of depression in employed and unemployed partners respectively. No known existing studies investigate these particular dimensions of gay life. The disparity of self-esteem scores between employed and unemployed partners and the inverse relation between perceived health and depression provide a proactive position, from which primary prevention of depression could be achieved.

O presente trabalho, Contextos Contemporâneos - Homossexuais, Cultura e Mídia, tem por propósito focalizar discussões sociais, com estudos voltados para a área de comunicação e cultura, sobre a percepção dos homossexuais ao segmento de mercado cujo aporte nas mídias de massa aponta para uma inserção cada vez maior no número de personagens homossexuais nas telenovelas. Para o desenvolvimento do tema, escolhemos em nossa abordagem o uso dos termos - homossexual feminino e masculino, assim como lésbica e gay, com destaque para o último em algumas generalizações, dentro do que denominaremos comunidade homossexual. Para tanto, fizemos um levantamento dos estudos sobre sexualidade, pondo em destaque o espaço psicossocial destinado a eles. Com o intento de esclarecer os meandros antecedentes à homossexualidade, sua identidade cultural e a tensão gerada pela educação do homem versus a da mulher, refletimos sobre a repressão do corpo e a relação entre cultura - poder e comunidade. Visto que a sexualidade contemporânea juntamente com as questões do corpo, da moda e identidade está permeada por influências midiáticas, abordamos o consumo de um modo geral e a Indústria Cultural, em específico, sempre questionando como os homossexuais se percebem no mercado direcionado a este segmento dentro das mídias. Como nosso intuito era abordar a percepção dos mesmos sobre esta representação, fizemos uma breve incursão sobre a história do cinema até chegar à televisão e nela destacamos a telenovela visto que, nas entrevistas realizadas na etapa da pesquisa empírica, esta foi uma das referências mais lembradas. Posto que é nesta que a comunidade homossexual possui maior visibilidade; também é ela a grande influenciadora no consumismo. No levantamento junto às lésbicas e gays entrevistados sobre seus entendimentos a respeito de estereótipos e identidade, os homossexuais falam sobre a influência e repercussão de personagens gays na TV, o quê consideram positivo e negativo. A partir de suas respostas, consideramos seus posicionamentos, sempre analisados à luz do repertório teórico utilizado no decorrer do trabalho. / The present work, Contemporary Contexts - Homosexuals, Culture and Media, is intended to focus on social discussions, with studies aimed at the area of communication and culture on the perception of the gay market segment whose contribution in the mass media points to an increasing insertion of gay characters in soap operas. To develop the theme, we have chosen in our approach the use of terms - male and female homosexual, as well as lesbian and gay, with emphasis on the latter in some generalizations, within what we call the gay community. In order to do so, we have surveyed the studies on sexuality, highlighting the psychosocial space for them. With the intent to clarify the intricate history of homosexuality, its cultural identity and the tension generated by the education of man versus the woman, we have reflected on the repression of the body and the relationship between culture - power and community. Since the contemporary sexuality, together with issues of body, fashion and identity is pervaded by media influences, our approach is to consumption in general and the Culture Industry, in particular, always questioning how the homosexuals perceive themselves within their segment market created by the media. As our intent was to address to their perception on this representation, we made a brief incursion into the history of cinema up to the TV, highlighting the soap opera due to the fact that in interviews conducted in the stage of empirical research, this was one of the most remembered. Once stated that it is in the soap opera that the homosexual community has greater visibility, it is also a great influence on consumerism. Lesbians and gays, when interviewed about their understandings on the homosexual identity and stereotypes, talked about the influence and impact of gay characters on TV, considered by them a positive and negative fact. From their answers, we considered their positions, always examined in the light of the theoretical repertoire used during this framework.