PowerPoint Presentation

Jesus BustamantePeople have held to the belief that we are born males or females and just naturally grow up doing what men or women do (Crooks & Baurs, 2011). (ASS (of) U (and) M (e) PTIONS

Heteronormativity: is the body of lifestyle norms that holds that people fall into distinct and complementary genders (man and woman) with natural roles in life.

Biological Sex: Which is determined by our sex chromosomes.

Gender: Term encompassing the behaviors, social constructed roles and psychological attributes associated with being male of female).

The expectations are place on us when we are thrown into our Gender Role--the attitudes and behaviors that are considered normal and appropriate in our culture for people of our sex. This gender role is defined by our culture and differs from society to society, but it is a social construct placed on all of us.

Gender RolesBy age 3, most children have developed a firm gender identity (DeLamater &Friedrich, 2002). It is expected we follow these norms.

When a little boy who is destined to grow up straight has a poster of his favorite sports star, superhero, or astronaut on his bedroom wall, we may conclude that he admires and identifies with him and perhaps even wants to be his icon in some way.

This constant pressure to appear to be normal only adds to the pressure and anxiety for us who are questioningor identify as gay/questioning.

Our heterosexual friends have generations of people and their wisdoms of those already dealt with the same issues of love, loss, and development.

This is how I feel; I dont know why

This can be damaging to some of us who are a little bit different, and limit our comfort in expressing who we really are. We are drawn to those who embody FREEDOM and SELF-EMPOWERMENT, no matter how much the general public loves or hates them at any given moment...

So, who do us gay/question turn to?These figures are exploring the same question that we are:

"Why is my sexuality up for debate?"

Fearless. Bold. Game Changers.

They portray a vulnerability that is often wrapped up in strength in the face of adversity.

They are a threat to the construct of the hetero normative hegemon.

In many ways, these women are our past generations, each decade has its diva offering their wisdoms that sprouted from the repressions and judgments of a sexist history.

JUDY GARLAND. Is he a friend of Dorothy?" was slang for, "Is he gay? referring to an individual as a "friend of Dorothy" meant that they were "unusual or odd" and, therefore, "queer."CHER embodies an unapologetic freedom and fearlessness that some of us can only aspire to. Shes taught us that there is life after love.

MADONNA. Period..

JANET JACKSON. Has always been a vocal advocate for LGBT rights.

LADY GAGA. Mother Monster. Has been the most vocal and current activist for young LGBT this decade.

A diva is an entertainer who has brought a message of HOPE and COMFORT to gay people in times of TROUBLE or OPPRESSION.

These women challenge and refuse to fit into this sort of commodity culture. They enter into media culture through their own script, their own definition of self. I think these qualities are celebrated and admired, especially within communities that are also depicted and treated as outsiders, as undesirable, and not "normative." Icons transcend generations; icons come to represent a broader cultural movement or genre, but most important, as icons, their visibility crosses community and generation.

It was LOVE at first sight.

The She wolf was in the closetlet it out.

VolverteAmar.

I WillMake itThroughThe Rain.

Dance withSomebodyThat loves me.

Feel likeWe are Living a Teenage DreamWhen I was singing with me in front of my mirror as I danced in my underwear. You were there.

When I was sad, lost, and lonely,. You were there.

Those times when I cried myself to sleep, not knowing what the future was going to bring. You were there.

My first kiss. My first heartbreak.Through the good times.Through the bad times.

For these women; I am eternally grateful.