Event Title
Finding Queer Sexual Educations in a Culture of Abstinence and Heteronormativity
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
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