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Many reports infer that questions of HBT and homophobia are either poorly addressed or not addressed at all in schools today. This study is based on interviews with teachers of students aged 13 to 15. It is an inquiry to the teacher's thoughts about, knowledge of, and sense of responsibility to inform students of the subjects 'Queer', 'HBT', and 'Homophobia'. Who is responsible for educating the students regarding these subjects and what do teachers think about including these subjects in their curriculum? How do the teachers describe their knowledge of the subjects? Do they require further knowledge themselves in order to educate others in a proper way? The study is grounded in queer theories. This study shows that teachers do have some knowledge and are interested in teaching the subjects. Unfortunately the subject matter presently lacks support and status in schools and as a result is left behind.

The aim of this essay is to investigate how the author JT LeRoy (a. i. Laura Albert) questions and broadens the concept of authenticity in literature and authorship. My study is based on LeRoy’s novel Sarah [2000] and the collection of short stories The heart is deceitful above all things [2001], as well as articles written about the construction of Laura Albert’s alter ego JT LeRoy. I look for norms and boundaries in connection with authentic authors, identities, sex, gender and love. My method is that of a thematic analysis focusing on names, parenthood, religious beliefs and sub cultural norms and resistance. I am inspired by Michel Foucault’s thoughts on discourse, power and sexuality. My results are presented in a dialogue with previous readings and queer theory, foremost represented by Judith Butler. My general conclusion is that the literary texts, as well as the author represent a queer perspective, and that they therefore – in a heteronormative world view – are considered neither normal nor authentic.

I denna uppsats har de fyra skönlitterära titlarna Kort kjol, Hey Dolly, Den osynlige och Låt den rätte komma in analyserats. Dessa används i svenskundervisning på grundskolans senare år och på gymnasiet. Som teoretisk referenspunkt har genus- och queerteoretiska perspektiv använts. Detta för att få syn på hur den heteronormativa genusordningen framställs och eventuellt problematiseras. Heteronormativiteten ses således som avgörande för karaktärernas skapande av genus. Avstamp tas i kursplanerna då skönlitteraturen, enligt dessa, är av avgörande betydelse för elevernas skapande av identitet. Uppsatsen har en litteratursociologisk ansats för att belysa relationen mellan skönlitteratur och samhälle. Metoden är kvalitativ textanalys och boksamtal. Resultatet av analyserna visar att den heteronormativa genusordningen till stor del reproduceras i de fyra titlarna även om den i två av dessa titlar är mycket mindre påtaglig. Det finns i samtliga titlar karaktärer som mer eller mindre utmanar den heteronormativa genusordningen. Det är dock i de två titlarna, Låt den rätte komma in och Hey Dolly, som vi får möta de stora normbrytarna. Dessa karaktärer utmanar och problematiserar den heteronormativa genusordningen både genom hur de framställs och genom deras förhållande till andra. Uppsatsen synliggör således vilka "förebilder" och vilken samhällsnormer som råder i de analyserade böckerna. Alltså de "förebilder" och samhällsnormer som eleverna som läser dessa böcker får möta. / The aim of this paper is to analyse how normative heterosexuality works in the creation of gender in four fiction titles used in the school subject Swedish. A gender and a queer perspective are used when analyzing the characters in the texts. According to queer theory, heteronormativity plays a decisive role in the creation of gender. The syllabus of the subject Swedish serve as the starting point as they proclaim that literature has a decisive influence on pupil's creation of identity. The results of the analyses showed that the heteronormative gender structure exists and works in the books. But the result also shows that there are several characters that challenge the structure by breaking social norms and thereby creates possible gender positions.

Begreppet heteronormativitet användes i litteraturen första gången 1993. Begreppet går att finna i ordböcker och lexikon från 2006, men endast ett par av de moderna ordböckerna och lexikonen har inför begreppet. Idag saknar begreppet en exakt definition. En begreppsanalys syftar till att identifiera karakteristika för ett begrepp genom undersökning av dess användning. Vårdrelationer kan och bör utvecklas till en vårdande relation, vilket bygger på en kontakt innefattande kropp, själ och ande mellan vårdare och patient. Syftet var att beskriva och fördjupa förståelsen av begreppet heteronormativitet utifrån ett omvårdnadsperspektiv. Begreppsanalys enligt Rodgers metod innefattande 23 vetenskapliga artiklar och annan litteratur som resulterade i sju definierade attribut; antaganden, normer, samhällshierarkier, sanktioner för dem som avviker från normen, könsroller, sexuella relationer och stereotyp familjesyn. I analysen identifierades också vad som föregår begreppet, två kvinnor som arbetar med begreppet samt fem relaterade begrepp; jämställdhet, genus, makt, diskriminering och homofobi. En rad konsekvenser av vilka samtliga var negativa för såväl individ som samhälle konstaterades. Sjukvården påverkas negativt på flera sätt av heteronormativitet, bland annat omöjliggörs den vårdande relationen. Konklusion: Heteronormativitet leder till en rad olika problem och alla är både offer och supportrar av systemet. / The concept heteronormativity was used in the literature for the first time in 1993. This term can be found in dictionaries and encyclopedias from 2006 but only in a few of the most modern publications. The term currently lacks an exact definition. The aim of concept analysis is to identify characteristics for a term by studying its use. Healthcare relations can and should be developed into a caring relation, which is dependent on a connection involving body, mind and soul between the caregiver and the patient. The aim of this work was to describe and deepen the understanding of the term heteronormativity from a healthcare perspective. Rodgers’ evolutionary concept analysis of 23 scientific papers and common newspapers resulted in seven defined attributes: assumptions, norms, social hierarchies, sanctions for those deviating from the norm, gender roles, sexual relationships and stereotype family apprehension. The analysis also identified what precedes the concept, two women working with the concept and five related concepts: equality, gender, power, discrimination and homophobia. A number of consequences of which all were negative for both individuals and the society were found. Healthcare is negatively influenced in several ways by heteronormativity rendering the caring relation impossible. Conclusion: Heteronormativity leads to a number of problems and everyone are both victims and supporters of the system.

This thesis is based on qualitative text analyses of four works of fiction, used as teaching materials in the school subject of Swedish, from a queer theoretic perspective. The purpose of the study is to examine how sexual identities and expressions are being presented, as well as what positions are offered a reader, in relation to the heterosexual norm. Basis for this thesis are the schools fundamental values, which highlights the importance that intolerance be confronted through both knowledge and active measures, and the syllabus, which states that fiction should be viewed as a tool for identity development as well as an understanding of the outside world. The analyses reveals a distinct connection between the generally accepted heterosexual norm and a professed (or taken for granted) heterosexuality which is being carried out by the characters or the books as a whole. Out of the four titles only one disputes this norm, by offering a wide range of sexual identities and expressions. These expressions, however, are being invalidated – through insufficient ability to relate to the norm – or made invisible – through an imagined heterosexuality which, by superiority over other expressions, excludes them.

The purpose of this study is to explore how different discourses about risk linked to HIV prevention is likely to affect the decisions on the distribution of state funding for preventive activities aimed at 'men who have sex with men' (MSM). This by making qualitative interviews with principals that have an impact on this decision. Using a discourse analytic approach, based on both theoretical and methodological foundations, I investigate the discursive constructions of risk of HIV linked to certain groups and behaviors. MSM is found in the material placed into two different formations of groups, on one hand by the behavior on the other hand on the basis of identity. The identity position is organized discursively from a “victim” position while MSM provides an "operator" position. MSM is thus incompatible with the victim's position needed to be taken into account in the allocation of HIV prevention funds. On this basis I argue that the impact of heteronormativity, combined with an unwillingness to stigmatize, threatens to make HIV prevention ineffective when it is distributed on a different premise than epidemiological trends.

Studien handlar om heteronormativitet i grundskolans sex- och samlevnadsundervisning. Heteronormativitet är antagandet om att det enda rätta och normala är att vara heterosexuell. Normer finns överallt i olika kulturer och grupper, heteronormen är en ledande och övergripande norm i vårt samhälle. I skolan kan svårigheter uppstå för de elever som på något sätt avviker från heteronormen. Svenska lärarutbildningar berör ämnet sex och samlevnad i mycket begränsad utsträckning vilket kan medföra att lärare inte har den kunskap som krävs för att undervisa i ämnet. Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur niondeklassare uppfattar att heteronormen behandlas i sex- och samlevnadsundervisningen. För att ta reda på elevernas egna uppfattningar och åsikter kring undervisningen konstruerades en enkät som besvarades utav 194 elever i årskurs nio vid fyra olika grundskolor i Skåne. Resultatet visar att de elever som har fått vara delaktiga i upplägget av sex- och samlevnadsundervisningen i större utsträckning har lärt sig något nytt/betydande och fått mer information om deras rättigheter och skyldigheter rörande sexualitet. Det framkommer även att undervisningen har ett patogent och preventivt fokus och lägger mycket vikt vid könssjukdomar och preventivmedel. Fokus ligger till stor del på sex, och samlevnadsdelen hamnar i skymundan. Eleverna uttrycker i egna ord att lärarna verkar tycka att ämnet är genant och att undervisningen fokuserar på saker som eleverna redan vet. De uttrycker även att de skulle vilja ha mer undervisning om sexuella läggningar. Slutsatser som kan dras av studien är att det finns en antydan till att skolans sex- och samlevnadsundervisning är heteronormativ och utgår i hög grad från det heterosexuella samhället. Ofta berörs andra sexuella läggningar än heterosexuell som problemfrågor. / Our study is about heteronormativity in the elementary schools sex education. Heteronormativity is the assumption that the only right and normal way to be is heterosexual. Norms exists everywhere across cultures and groups. Heteronormativity is a leading and global norm in our society. Problems can arise for those students who in any way deviate from the heterosexual norm. Teacher education in Sweden involve sex and social life in a very limited extent. This may mean that teachers do not have the skills that are necessary to teach the subject. The aim of our study was to investigate how ninth graders perceive that heteronormativity is treated in the sex education. To find out the students' own perceptions and opinions about teaching, a questionnaire was constructed that was answered out of 194 students in ninth grade at four different elementary schools in Skåne. The results showed that students who had been involved in the arrangement of sex education to a greater extent have learned something new / substantial and have learned more about their rights and obligations relating to sexuality. It also reveals that the education has a pathogenic and preventive focus, and puts much emphasis on sexually transmitted diseases and contraceptives. The focus is largely on sex, the part about relationships and social life remain in the background. The students express in their own words that the teachers seem to think the topic is embarrassing and that teaching is focused on things that students already know. They also express their wish for more education about sexual orientations. Conclusions that can be drawn from this study suggest that the school's sex education is heteronormative and assumes much of the heterosexual community. Furthermore it often involves other sexual orientations as problem areas.

This thesis mainly aims to understand how construction of gay identity differentiates in terms of class inequalities. Regarding the conceptual framework of Deniz Kandiyoti, it inquires in what way class position reshapes the experience of gay sexuality and how gay men of different classes bargain with heteronormative order through different perceptions of homoeroticism and gender identities. In discussing this issue, how gay men identify themselves, how they represent their body, how they interact with and percieve other gay men, how they percieve masculinity and femininity in construction of gender identities engender as primary questions to understand plurality of gay experience. These featured aspects of gay experience in Turkey entail a dynamic process in the way of both multiple formation of gay experience due to class differences and contradictory character of such plurality. Perception of other forms of gay experience is included to the discussion for understanding a comprehensive analysis for plurality of gay experience.

Women who have transitioned to a lesbian identity from a previously heterosexual one lack a voice in the academic literature. Identity formation in this subset of women, those who chose a heterosexual marriage, had children, and later in life self identify as lesbian, has not been fully investigated. For this project, eight women were asked to answer this question: How have you negotiated the path from heterosexuality to lesbianism? Four main themes were found dealing with heteronormativity and accountability, relationship with children, transition, and acceptance by the lesbian community. Additionally, I introduce a new term---gender-normativity---to describe these women who only after marrying, having children and raising those children, and going through a process of self-reflection, realized they wanted to make a transition and spend the rest of their lives in an intimate relationship with a woman.