Page 220 - Microaggressions in Everyday Live Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

194 sexual - orientation microaggressions and heterosexism

Heterosexist language not only shapes perception, but can communicate
extremely different beliefs about a marginalized group. The terms “ sexual
orientation ” and “ sexual preference ” are prime examples. Those who use the
latter term believe that LGBTs have freely chosen their lifestyles, or choose to
be, for example, homosexual. Those who use the term “ sexual orientation ”
are more inclined to believe that there is a biological basis to sexual orien-
tation, that it is a normative condition. There is much heated debate over
whether one is biologically determined toward same - sex attraction or whether
environmental upbringing/choice dictates the outcome (Nelson, 2006).
Approximately half of the U.S. public believe that people choose to be homo-
sexual (Whitely, 1990). Those who believe that homosexuality is controllable
are more likely to blame LGBTs and to see them as having chosen a sinful life
style (Sakalli, 2002). To many LGBTs the use of the phrase “ sexual preference ”
represents a sexual - orientation microaggression because it communicates a
message that LGBTs chose a deviant and sinful lifestyle, and that they could
change if they really desired to.
4. Sinfulnes s — World religions differ in the degree of negativity and con-
demnation of homosexuals and homosexual sexual behaviors (Halderman,
2004; Tozer & Hayes, 2004). Some religions view same - sex orientation as
intrinsically sinful, that such individuals are depraved and should be punished.
Others are more lenient in that they do not view LGBs as evil sinners as long as
they do not act out their sexual desires. To them, it is the sexual act that is the sin.
Regardless of the explicitness in scriptures and traditions regarding same - sex
attraction and acts, nearly all religions view homosexuality negatively, and
teach that it represents a transgression against morality, the teachings of the
church, and oftentimes toward God.
The impact of religiosity upon those who are strongly religious (both
straights and LGBTs) has been explored in several studies. Researchers have

identified two types of religiosity: intrinsically oriented and extrinsically
oriented. Those with an intrinsic orientation “ live ” their religions, while those
with an extrinsic orientation “ use ” their religions. People that are deeply
religious in an intrinsic manner have been found to hold stronger prejudi-
cial attitudes and are more likely to discriminate against LGBTs (Fisher,
Derison, Polley, Cadman, & Johnston, 1994; Herek, 1987; Kirkpatrick, 1993).
Anti - LGBT attitudes, however, are unrelated to extrinsic religious orientation
(McFarland, 1989; Taylor, 2000). Because most religions are opposed to homo-
sexuality, those who live their religions literally may be more likely to view it
as a sin. Likewise, by viewing one ’ s anti - LGBT position as morally right and

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