This thesis addresses popular works of fiction written or produced near or after 1989 in Japan and examines the roles that sexual orientation, gender and 20th century social and discursive history have had on the conceptualization of familial relations in postwar Japan. This thesis will analyze the means by which writers and artists during the 1980s and 1990s have engaged discourses of family in their works and will argue that these writers explicitly use queer (hereby defined as non-heterosexual and/or non-gender conforming) individuals and narratives to question, reshape and propose alternatives to culturally received images of heterosexual marriage and the nuclear family model. In Japan, the earliest legal model of family was the ie or house system, which codified earlier social structures that had existed amongst the samurai class of the Edo period (1600-1868) and enshrined the concept of male primogeniture into law. This was changed after World War II, when the Ie system was abolished and replaced by a model of conjugal (nuclear) familial relations. This new model of household organization was promoted by the Allied Occupation, major businesses and corporations, and the postwar Japanese government, and its attendant gendered division of labor was the foundation upon which Japan recovered economically in the postwar period and remade itself as an export-driven, capitalist country in the 1960s and 1970s. This model of family, however, has come under increased socioeconomic pressure as a result of the 1990 real estate market bubble bursting and subsequent economic contraction, as well as by continuing demographic trends that indicate a long-term, decreasing population. This thesis will argue that the model of familial relations propagated during the postwar period, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s is ideologically rooted in a historically contingent model of sanctioned heterosexual relations, and that through examining depictions of those precluded from these sanctioned relations, a better understanding of the operation of gender, sexuality and familial relations as they operate in the Japanese popular and cultural spheres can be achieved.

The thesis deals with issues of LGBT movement in the Czech Republic in the context of the ongoing campaign "We are fair" for equal marriage. The intention was to try to find out on the basis of in-depth semi-structured interviews with LGBT activists how these activists perceive the status of sexual minorities in the Czech Republic and the related situation of the Czech LGBT movement with regard to its emancipatory potential. It turned out that the activists sensitively perceived the limits of the conditionality of the tolerance of Czech society and that they were aware of the changes in the social and political context in relation to minorities. However, particular minorities are not perceived in the same way by the society, and according to activists, LGBT rights can even be a tool for legitimizing aversion to other minorities, especially religious or ethnic minorities. On the level of reflection on the ongoiong campaign's strategies, activists put the emphasis on political lobbying for equal marriage, with the support of community mobilization and the formation of collective identity defined by the requirement of equal marriage. From the perspective of activists, it is therefore important to balance the professionalized lobbying with grassroots activism. Although, according to activists, the...

Thesis deals with social life of asexual people in the Czech Republic. The author focuses on the areas of acceptance of their own sexual identity as asexual, coming out and feelings of stigmatization, relationships and intimacy, belonging to LGBT+ community and the perception of the existence of a separate asexual community and the visibility of asexuality in society. For the purpose of the work was carried out qualitative research among asexual people, who selfidentify as asexual. The aim of the analysis was to determine how social life of asexuals differs within the heteronormative society. Thesis is based on differences between asexuals and heteronormative majority, especially in relationships and sexual behavior. The difference is also in other aspects of their life. People often don't know the meaning of asexuality, which can result in social stigmatization of asexuals due to pressure to accept a traditional model of relationship. In some respects, asexual people are similar to other sexual minorities, but not everyone feels to be part of LGBT+ community. Czech asexuals feel to be invisible in our society and they form networks among themselves through the internet forum asexual.cz. However, they don't create a separate community or social movement and they still remain socially invisible....

Orientador: Ana Cláudia Bortolozzi Maia / Banca: Diego Zilio Alves / Bnnca: Anderson Ferrari / Resumo: A temática de gênero e sexualidade se desenvolve ao longo da história rodeada de preconceitos e explicações que buscam apresentar modelos de suas causas e efeitos. O aspecto da orientação sexual, componente da sexualidade, difere-se conceitualmente a partir da concepção da heterossexualidade como normalidade e homossexualidade como desvio. Tal característica leva ao que se pode compreender como LGBTfobia acarretando em violências, agressões e uma série de outros comportamentos contra o público de Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Transexuais Travestis (LGBT) e todos aqueles que não expressam sua sexualidade de maneira heterossexual/cisgênera. Atualmente, o Brasil é o signatário de acordos internacionais que estipulam práticas de Estado para a criminalização de comportamentos agressivos direcionados ao público LGBT, contudo o número de vítimas deste grupo se mostra cada vez maior e até o ano de 2019 não foram sancionadas leis que criminalizem ações LGBTfóbicas. Diante disso, esta pesquisa desenvolve uma análise dos Projetos de Lei direcionados a criminalização da LGBTfobia propostos até 2018 nas instâncias da Câmara dos Deputados e no Senado Federal. A partir da Análise do Comportamento, ramo da psicologia fundamentado pela filosofia do Behaviorismo Radical, realiza-se a análise de oito Projetos de Lei direcionados a criminalização de comportamentos LGBTfóbicos buscando destacar e analisar itens de Contextos Antecedentes, Comportamentos, Consequências e Atores Alvo. São analisados t... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The theme of gender and sexuality develops throughout history surrounded by prejudice and explanations that seek to present models of its causes and effects. The aspect of sexual orientation, a component of sexuality, differs conceptually from the conception of heterosexuality as normality and homosexuality as deviance. This feature leads to what can be understood as LGBT phobia leading to violence, assaults and a host of other behaviors against the public of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transsexual, Transvestites (LGBT) and all those who do not express their sexuality in a heterosexual / cisgender manner. Currently, Brazil is the signatory of international agreements that stipulate state practices to criminalize aggressive behavior directed to the LGBT public, however the number of victims of this group is increasing and until 2019 were not sanctioned laws that criminalize LGBT phobic actions. Given this, this research develops an analysis of the Bill directed to criminalization of LGBTphobia proposed until 2018 in the instances of the House of Representatives and the Federal Senate. Based on Behavior Analysis, a branch of psychology based on the philosophy of Radical Behaviorism, eight Laws directed to criminalization of LGBTphobic behaviors are analyzed, seeking to highlight and analyze items from Background, Behavior, Consequences and Target Actors. Also, the legislative opinions referring to three of the Bills identifying contextual elements that possibly influence the leg... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

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Nonbinary game characters are often designed based on harmful stereotypes such asfollowing a strict androgynous aesthetic or as not being human. This thesis studies both howthese stereotypes are perceived by the represented gaming audience, and also if analternative method can be successful in nonbinary character design. Two sets of fournonbinary characters were created in which two characters were based on existingstereotypes, and two were inspired by nonbinary celebrities and members of a nonbinaryforum. The artefacts were included in a survey in which the participants chose the most andleast successful design, motivated their answers, and also discussed trends and stereotypesthey had noticed in nonbinary characters. Based on the performed research and the surveyresults, the suggested solution is to create more nonbinary characters, especially visiblyhuman ones.

Magister Bibliothecologiae - MBibl / The research project is based on the belief that Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGBT) people have specific information needs and interests that public libraries should cater for. The philosophical literature of public libraries states that they have to cater for all sectors of their diverse communities without discrimination. The aim of the research study was to gauge if Cape Town’s library and information services (LIS) include gay and lesbian materials in their collection development policies and procedures. It also aimed at finding out if City of Cape Town Library and Information Services (COCTLIS) provide for the information needs of their gay and lesbian users in their provision of information services. The research problem and the review of literature led to the following research questions: • Do the gay and lesbian library user community constitute a special user group with particular information and reading needs? • If it is accepted that public libraries have a responsibility for the special information and reading needs of gay and lesbian library users, how do they cater for these needs? • How do South African public libraries, specifically the City of Cape Town Library and Information Services (COCTLIS), provide for these needs with their collections and their information services? • Are the public library staffs aware of the UNESCO principles in terms of LIS services for gay and lesbian library users? The first two research questions were answered by means of a review of the theoretical and professional literature. The last two questions were answered by analysis of COCTLIS collection development procedures and policy and a questionnaire survey of library staff. A survey was conducted among librarians in charge of collection development in the COCTLIS libraries early in 2009, collecting data by means of a structured questionnaire. The sample comprised 69 libraries of the total 100, with an even spread across the six city library districts and including a mix of “types” of library (regional and community). The findings of the research study echo the agreement found in the literature that the provision of library services to LGBT people is inadequate. City of Cape Town collection development policy does not have any explicit mention of the LGBT user group. The major finding of the survey is an evident gap between stated beliefs and actual practices. The majority of respondents agree that public library collections should cater for LGBT people but in fact they buy very few books or magazines oriented to gays and lesbians. And only 55% indicate that they do consciously consider the needs of gays and lesbians in their book selection. The information services to gays and lesbians appear to be rather thin. For example, less than 10% include gay and lesbian oriented information in their community information files and only 37% display gay and lesbian oriented information on their community notice boards. The study provides some evidence that practices might differ according to size and position of library. The research study hopes to make a difference in the provision of gays and lesbians in the City of Cape Libraries. It also hopes to remind librarians of the mandate they have to develop their collections to reflect diversity.

Master Thesis by Christian K. Vinther, Charles University, Prague (77110981) 21/05/2015 Between Liberal Policies and Conservative Values: The Role of the EU in Improving Sexual Minority Rights in Albania Abstract In 2009 the People's Advocate in Albania announced their suggestion that Albania should become the first Balkan country to legalize gay marriage, a suggestion backed by the country's Prime Minister Sali Berisha. The odd thing is that this suggestion was presented in the same country voted the "most homophobic in Europe" according to a recent study, and simultaneously the suggestion came at a time when Albania did not even have an anti-discrimination law, and, assumingly, at a time when LGBT activist groups seemed more or less nonexistent. Since 2009, Albania has progressed severely in relation to LGBT matters, and the small Balkan country has adopted noteworthy liberal sexual minority policies. Yet, as stated above, this appears as a rather paradoxical fact, since homophobia in Albania appears widespread, and since it could be questioned why a country would even need to legalize gay marriage, since the gay population are unlikely to benefit from this kind of legislation, due to the harassment and marginalization of this particular minority group. The mismatch between the conservative values in...

This paper deals with the role of American courts, specifically their decisions, regarding the rights and social status of LGBT people, which is an acronym standing for lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. The main finding is that court decisions in favor of LGBTs make lives of such people even more difficult, because authorities in states where such decisions are taken often try to circumvent these decisions using legislative powers. However, in the long term, it seems that courts manage to initiate debates about LGBT-related topics with various arguments that the American society is forced to consider. It appears that in such debates common sense prevails over prejudices and myths. One such myth that was widely accepted by society was that when a child lives with a homosexual in a common household, such child was going to become homosexual him- or herself. This paper also explores an analogy between current efforts of LGBT people to reach full equality and secure anti- discrimination measures for themselves and the struggle for civil rights of African-Americans. Both these groups have faced treatment which suggested that they are second-class citizens. One of the ways society expresses this second-class citizenry is by denying LGBTs access to the institution of marriage arguing it...

Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS) / Democratic South Africa was based on a constitution that is meant to have democratic values that promote human dignity and non-discrimination. Such democratic values were put in place to ensure that the human rights violations that took place in apartheid South Africa would not take place again and that everyone, especially those previously oppressed are treated with respect and dignity. Despite the guaranteed human rights that are supposed to apply to everyone, lesbians and other members of the LGBT community still face discrimination because of their sexual orientation. Nell and Shaprito (2011, p12) point out that “in stark contrast with constitutional guarantees of freedom and human rights for all, research indicates that homophobic victimization is an endemic part of the South African landscape”.