‘We’re all very liberal in our views’: students’ talk about lesbian and gay parenting

Clarke, V. (2005) ‘We’re all very liberal in our views’: students’ talk about lesbian and gay parenting. Lesbian & Gay Psychology Review, 6 (1). pp. 2-15.

[img] Microsoft Word - Accepted Version
92Kb
[img]
Preview
PDF - Accepted Version
411Kb

Publisher's URL: http://www.bpsshop.org.uk/Lesbian-Gay-Psychology-R...

Abstract

Mapping the contours of homophobia and heterosexism is a key concern for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) psychology. In this paper, I present a discursive analysis of the construction of heterosexism in student focus group discussions about lesbian and gay parenting. My analysis (empirically) develops Kitzinger’s (1987) theoretical and political argument that the concept of homophobia is embedded in a liberal framework and requires people to endorse a liberal construction of homosexuality is order to be considered tolerant. The paper contributes to the growing literature on the discursive construction of heterosexism by exploring the participants’ use of liberal language and assumptions and how these are complicit in the reproduction of heteronormativity. I identify three ways in which the students ‘do being’ liberal. In all cases, the participants’ discourse fails to move beyond a heterocentric perspective. I provide examples of each of these themes and explore their rhetorical design and ideological functions.

Item Type:Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:discourse analysis, heterosexism, lesbian and gay parenting, liberalism
Faculty/Department:~Pre-2010 Faculty Structure > Health and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Department of Psychology
~Pre-2012 Faculty Structure > Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Department of Psychology
ID Code:11737
Deposited By: Dr V. Clarke
Deposited On:23 Nov 2010 12:06
Last Modified:25 Nov 2012 21:34

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Total Document Downloads in Past 12 Months

Document Downloads

Total Document Downloads

More statistics for this item...
Copyright 2013 © UWE better together