Event Title

Finding Queer Sexual Educations in a Culture of Abstinence and Heteronormativity

Presenter Information

Megan MacKenzie, Colby CollegeFollow

Location

Diamond 342

Start Date

30-4-2015 10:30 AM

End Date

30-4-2015 11:55 AM

Project Type

Presentation

Description

In this study, I investigate how mainstream sexual educations reinforce heteronormativity and fail to construct healthy queer sexualities Then, having established that queer individuals must dig deeper than mainstream culture to find meaningful sexual information, I discuss the survey I conducted that explores how queer individuals are learning how to have sex. I seek to find which sources are the most influential in spreading queer sexual behaviors. I use the term queer sex to encompass the sexual behaviors LGBTQ+-identified individuals, as well as the behaviors of heterosexual individuals who prefer non-heteronormative sex (Elia & Eliason, 2010). Essentially, it is any sexual act other than vaginal penetration with a penis. However, due to the design of my survey and many confounding variables, I largely focus on LGBTQ-identifies individuals. I conclude that many queer-identified individuals are turning to television, the internet, and friends for sexual information that is unavailable to them in mainstream culture, but most seem to be learning about sex through talking with their sexual partners and just having sex. Queer sexual information is certainly harder to find than heterosexual information. The information found in this study supports changes in educational programs, social norms, and diversity in the media so everyone can receive equally sufficient sexual educations to form healthy, empowering, and satisfying sexual behaviors.

Faculty Sponsor

Mark Tappan

Sponsoring Department

Colby College. Education Program

CLAS Field of Study

Interdisciplinary Studies

Event Website

http://www.colby.edu/clas

ID

1027

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Apr 30th, 10:30 AM Apr 30th, 11:55 AM

Finding Queer Sexual Educations in a Culture of Abstinence and Heteronormativity

Diamond 342

In this study, I investigate how mainstream sexual educations reinforce heteronormativity and fail to construct healthy queer sexualities Then, having established that queer individuals must dig deeper than mainstream culture to find meaningful sexual information, I discuss the survey I conducted that explores how queer individuals are learning how to have sex. I seek to find which sources are the most influential in spreading queer sexual behaviors. I use the term queer sex to encompass the sexual behaviors LGBTQ+-identified individuals, as well as the behaviors of heterosexual individuals who prefer non-heteronormative sex (Elia & Eliason, 2010). Essentially, it is any sexual act other than vaginal penetration with a penis. However, due to the design of my survey and many confounding variables, I largely focus on LGBTQ-identifies individuals. I conclude that many queer-identified individuals are turning to television, the internet, and friends for sexual information that is unavailable to them in mainstream culture, but most seem to be learning about sex through talking with their sexual partners and just having sex. Queer sexual information is certainly harder to find than heterosexual information. The information found in this study supports changes in educational programs, social norms, and diversity in the media so everyone can receive equally sufficient sexual educations to form healthy, empowering, and satisfying sexual behaviors.

https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/clas/2015/program/264