LesbiHealthy!

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ARTEFACT “Love is All You Need?” by Kim Rocco Shields
This short film explores the implications of homophobia in schools, family and society. Set in a society where being gay is the majority and the norm and being heterosexual is seen as sinful and disgusting, Ashlee, a young girl discovers her opposite-sex attraction. When her peers notice that she is different, she suffers relentless bullying, violence and harassment. Her parents and teachers encourage her to adhere to the norms and punish her for breaking them. The film concludes with Ashlee suiciding after being beaten up and receiving countless cruel texts. Events are based on true stories from bullying victims.

PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE
This wiki focuses on the health repercussions that are a result of homophobia, and more specifically, homophobic bullying towards adolescent lesbians. Lesbians report much higher rates of bullying. As the school environment is the primary source of socialization outside of the family unit it has a profound effect on this group. Mental health issues prevalent within this group will be discussed, as well as the health risk behaviours that are frequently turned to as a result. Substance abuse, depression, alienation, sexual risk taking, self-harm and suicide are much higher in adolescent lesbians, leading to a lower health status.

LITERATURE REVIEW
For gay and lesbian students, research has uncovered alarming facts citing schools as often being unsafe environments (Kosciw, Greytak & Bartkiewicz, 2010; Varjas et al., 2007). Researchers have consistently found that lesbians, or gay women, endure bullying at a significantly higher rate than their peers (Goodenow, Szalacha & Westheimer, 2006; Mahan et al, 2006). Broadly speaking, homophobia can be defined as ‘the fear of being labelled homosexual and the irrational fear, dislike or hatred of gay males and lesbians’ 2 (Minton, Dahl, O’Moore & Tuck, 2008). Bullying is described as ‘repeated aggression, verbal, psychological or physical, conducted by an individual or group against others’ (Varjas et al., 2007). Bullying becomes homophobic when labels such as gay, queer, lesbian and lezzie are added to intimidating behaviour and verbal and physical abuse (Minton et al., 2008). These practises have very serious health effects and are considered to be a public health issue. Lesbians, or those perceived to be lesbians, experience much more bullying and less support at school than their heterosexual counterparts (Berlan et al., 2010; Espelage, 2008). Four out of five report harassment as a result of their sexual orientation (Craig, Tucker & Wagner, 2008). Verbal insults and threats are most common, though 39% also report physical harassment (Savage, Prout, & Chard, 2004). Lesbians are over twice as likely to be involved in a physical fight as heterosexual teens, and three times as likely to be threatened or injured with a weapon (Mahan et al, 2006). This leads to two thirds of sexual minority youth stating that they do not feel safe at school due to their sexuality (Kosciw, Greytak, Diaz, & Bartkiewicz, 2010). Support systems are weak or non-existent (Minton, Dahl, O’Moore & Tuck, 2008); one in twenty lesbians have experienced anti-gay abuse from teachers (Mahan et al, 2006). 26% of counsellors perceive homophobia from teachers and 41% believe that teachers are not doing enough to support sexual minority students (Mahan et al, 2006). Although most (94%) counsellors are willing to address gay and lesbian issues, only 25% feel competent, and only 15% received training within their degrees (Savage, Prout, & Chard, 2004). It has been reported that teachers and counsellors witness homophobic bullying but feel unable or unwilling to challenge it (Mahan et al, 2006). Peer support is particularly low. Nearly half of high school students admit to being prejudice against sexual minorities (Goodenow, Szalacha & Westheimer, 2006). Adolescence being a period where most people establish their sexual identity, homophobic practises are often utilised to try to establish a heterosexual identity (Seidman, 2010). The average high school student hears anti-gay epithets 25 times per day and teachers fail to respond 97% of the time (Minton et al., 2008). Being called gay has been reported as among the most psychologically disturbing forms of harassment (Mahan et al, 2006). The effects of bullying and homophobia are very serious. Studies in high schools have confirmed links between bullying and lasting depression, anxiety and poor self-esteem (Varjas et al., 2007; Berlan et al., 2010; Anagnostopoulos, Buchanan, Pereira & Lichty, 2009; Espelage, 2008). These factors have been shown to contribute to substance abuse and dependency (Mahan et al, 2006; Varjas et al., 2007), along with sexual risk-taking, smoking, alcohol abuse and disordered eating, Espelage, 2008; Saewyc, 2011; Berlan et al., 2010). Surveys have shown that these issues are more prevalent in lesbians, and are frequently reported as directly related to their sexuality (Berlan et al., 2010). A huge concern for adolescent lesbians is self-harm and suicide (Kitts, 2005). Studies consistently find links between suicide and those perceived to be gay, or confirm to non-gender stereotypes (Anagnostopoulos et al., 2009; Espelage, 2008; Varjas et al., 2007, Berlan et al., 2010). Lesbians are five times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers (Mahan et al, 2006), with 13-45% describing suicidal ideation or behaviour (Liu & Mestanski, 2012). A 2004 survey revealed that half of respondents who had self-harmed or attempted suicide identified as a sexual minority (Carolan & Redmond, 2004). The health risk behaviours associated with bullying victims are hugely prevalent in lesbian teens. Smoking rates are as much higher, with 38.7% of 16 year old lesbians smoking as opposed to 5.7% of their peers (Austin et al., 2004). Use of alcohol and drugs have been found to be three times the rate of heterosexual youth (Birkett, Espelage & Koenig, 2009). 12% of lesbians fall pregnant as a teen, as opposed to only 5% of straight females (Saewyc, 2011). These rates have been attributed to sexual risk taking to avoid a homosexual identity. Longitudinal studies have shown that the effects of bullying can persist into adulthood (Wolke et al., 2013). Use of alcohol, nicotine and illicit substances can become a crutch or a dependency. Use of these substances is higher in lesbians during adulthood, partially due to stress from victimisation and partially to fit into lesbian subcultures (Fredriksen-Goldsen et al., 2013). Depression, anxiety and weight issues also often persist into adulthood of those bullied and lesbians are no exception (Steele et al., 2009). Not only do these factors reduce quality of life and have severe mental health impacts but they can exacerbate health risk behaviours. This relates to poor health outcomes later in life, such as higher rates of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes (Fredriksen-Goldsen et al., 2010). Victimisation of lesbians could also be partly responsible for the avoidance of health care services (Abdessamad et al., 2013). The most common form of research was through means of surveys and interviews in high schools. Although conducted widely, and in great detail, the results displayed little distinction in health outcomes between lesbians, male homosexual teens, bisexual females and bisexual males. There are differences in the varying experiences for each sexuality, thus making it difficult to address the specific needs of lesbians (Prati, 2012). Researchers have concluded that homophobia towards teenage lesbians has serious implications. As the rates of bullying are significantly higher within this group, it is an important public health issue. There are strong links between the negative health outcomes that teenage lesbians experience and homophobic bullying. Mental health problems and health risk behaviours are much higher in adolescent lesbians than in their peers, which leads to a high suicide rate amongst this group. Victimisation can have lasting effects on mental health and increase the likelihood of health risk behaviours throughout adulthood. The harassment of lesbians can have devastating effects and need to be addressed from a public health perspective.

CULTURAL & SOCIAL ANALYSIS
The theory of otherness is important to consider when understanding the victimisation of adolescent lesbians. Lesbians are discriminated against because they are a minority that is defined as different by the majority (Seidman, 2010). Heterosexual is considered good, right and normal whereas the unfamiliar (gay) is considered unnatural, abnormal, bad, immoral, sinful, perverse and sick (Laurie, 2009). Straight is the normative, respected and socially privileged status whereas the minority’s sexual desires and acts are not respected or supported by laws, customs and institutions, instead being stigmatised, criminalised and punished (Laurie, 2009). The hostility that they faced in the past and continue to face today is a reflection of society's tendency to fear the unfamiliar and these values are being taught to children at an early age and supported by institutions such as schools, families and churches. Historically, lesbians have faced social and legal discrimination. While religious organisations labelled homosexuality as sinful, science and medicine labelled it as a disease and as a symptom of an abnormal, sick personality (Laurie, 2009). Same sex activity and dressing like a man has been criminalised for centuries (Aldrich & Wotherspoon, 2013). The 1950s saw raids of gay and lesbian bars with the media publishing the names of those arrested and warning the public that homosexuals threaten and recruit children- leading to ruthless punishment (Martin & Lyon, 2012). The World Health Organisation only removed homosexuality from its International Classification of Disease list in 1992 (Reiersøl, 2006) and homosexuality is still illegal in 76 countries, with many more actively discouraging it (Itaborahy & Zhu, 2013). Gay life today is remarkably different and better than it was 10 years ago. Unified by discrimination and potential rejection, gay subcultures provide a safe space of comfort and self-affirmation, a feeling of belonging in a society in which integration is still contested and a social base for politics (Siedman, 2010). However, these subcultures are only available to those who are out and have confidence to attend events, and therefore virtually impossible for adolescent lesbians. The prevalence of homophobic practises varies between differing areas and sectors of society. In parts of Australia where homophobic values are strongest, such as rural and country areas, lesbians are more at risk (Hastings & Hoover-Thompson, 2011). It is common for families to have to move away from these areas when a teenager is experiencing homophobic bullying, as it is unsafe to stay (Hastings & Hoover-Thompson, 2011). However, this can only happen if the family is supportive of the teenager's sexuality. The relative tolerance, social networking opportunities and support systems are not present in many rural areas (Hastings & Hoover-Thompson, 2011). Family support is a very powerful combative factor to mental issues faced by lesbians (Mahan et al, 2006). Certain ethnic and religious groups where family support of sexuality is less likely can result in worse mental health outcomes (Poteat, Mereish, DiGiovanni & Koenig, 2011). This issue cannot be ignored. Although homophobia is decreasing, some schools are still unsafe and not supportive for lesbians. The high suicide rate amongst adolescent lesbians as a result of homophobic bullying is not acceptable. This topic needs to be addressed within schools. Same-sex education must be included into the curriculum, and support systems need to be available in every school within Australia. Rural areas should be focused on, as well as support for families of gay students. Addressing homophobia in schools would not only help gay adolescents but increase acceptance of sexual minority groups within the next generation. This would significantly reduce the health disparities faced by lesbians and the sexual minority communities.

ARTEFACT ANALYSIS
The cultural artefact that I have selected effectively highlights the way in which society victimises sexual minorities. It illustrates that a sexual hierarchy is a social construct perpetuated through generations. By switching that which we think of as the 'normal' or majority, into the abnormal minority, the perspective of the viewer is challenged. The events that took place in the film were based on real stories from the school life of bullied gay and lesbian teens. The aggression seems shocking. Attention is drawn to homophobic bullying in a way that makes the viewer question the way social values are blindly and unthinkingly accepted. I believe that this short film effectively questions mainstream thought, an essential part of creating change for social minorities. Drawing attention to the issue is crucial. Researching this assignment has informed my understanding of the depth of this subject. The extent to which lesbians are victimised and their increased risk for suicide as a result has been a sobering fact. Previously I viewed homophobic bullying as somewhat inevitable and something that each victim needed to deal with individually. As the gay people I know seem relatively unaffected by this issue, I imagined that the effects diminish after leaving school. However, after analysing the research, it is clearly evident that this issue is seriously underrated. It is a result of society's fear of “the other”. This understanding is applicable to so many other areas and is something I will be mindful of in my future endeavours.

REFLECTIONS
https://healthcultureandsociety2013.wikispaces.com/share/view/64708960 https://healthcultureandsociety2013.wikispaces.com/share/view/64704928