Ethnography of Homosexuals Analysis Essay

The word homosexual means: feeling or involving sexual attraction to people of one’s own sex. According to Wikipedia LGBT is an acronym referring collectively to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender/Transsexual people and relates to the diversity of gay culture. However, it is far more common for people who identify with the term LGBT to refer to themselves as being part of the gay or queer community. There are also a vast number of sub-cultures that fall under this broad umbrella term, and depending on personal image and taste people will gravitate to whichever one they feel best describes them. More and more homosexual women are opting to identify with the term lesbian rather than gay or queer. This somewhat separatist attitude, which is prevalent in the gay community, in particular between men and women, raises an interesting dichotomy.

Gay slang and terminology are both common and prolific within the LGBT community, and while not all gay people are inclined to use it the majority of them are at least familiar with it. Some of the more widely known words are: ‘butch’ – masculine person, can refer to male or female; ‘dyke’ – butch lesbian; ‘queen’ – effeminate gay man; ‘breeder’ – a derogatory term used to describe heterosexuals. There is also a genre of music referred to collectively as ‘gay anthems’, these are songs by popular seventies and eighties divas such as Cher, Gloria Gaynor, and Diana Ross. Abba is also a big favorite and much revered for songs like Dancing Queen Day and Mama Mia. Dancing or clubbing is a favorite way to socialize and meet people, especially amongst men. Lesbians also enjoy partying but seem inclined to stop as soon as they’ve found a mate, which is why there are more ‘men only’ bars and clubs. It’s more common to find ‘women only’ events rather than establishments that are geared solely towards the lesbian community. As such a bar or club that on other nights will be either straight or ‘men only’ will host a ‘women only’ night once a month as they are guaranteed a bigger turnout by doing this.

‘Coming out is a term used by the LGBT community when they voluntarily make their sexual orientation public knowledge. “Many young lesbian and gay people experience critical times when they have to decide who to tell about their sexuality. In making this disclosure they are often fearful of negative reactions, rejection, and causing upset and distress to the person they are telling. Sometimes a young person may try ‘coming out to a supportive teacher or a school friend as a precursor to talking to parents to rehearse their own part and to judge reactions. Receiving a negative reaction can be very distressing.”

These days more and more celebrities are living openly gay lifestyles, and in doing so offer themselves as much-needed role models within a community that for many years had to keep its preferences behind closed doors. “When I came out in the early eighties homosexuality was still fairly much taboo, it certainly wasn’t okay back then to hold my partner’s hand in public the way it is now. Although depending on where we are, we still sometimes attract attention.” Busch, Saskia. Personal Interview. 30 April 2008.

In most cities, just as you will find ethnically diverse neighborhoods such as Little Italy and Chinatown, there will more than likely be an area known as the gay village or quarter that people from the LGBT community will favor, either as a place to live or socialize. “Such areas may represent a gay-friendly oasis in an otherwise hostile city, or may simply have a high concentration of gay residents and/or businesses.”