Labeling In The Queer Community: Does it Cause More Harm Than Good?

Item

Title
Labeling In The Queer Community: Does it Cause More Harm Than Good?
Creator
Sharon Mann
Exit Requirement
Honors Thesis
Date of Award
Jun-23
15 June 2023
Honors Program Director
Gavin Keulks
Faculty Advisor
Dana Schowalter
Abstract
Since the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States in 2015, there has been a paradigm shift in views from the LGBT community toward the usage of labels to define one's sexual identity or gender identity. Many factors could be behind why some individuals feel that labels are helpful and some do not, such as one's background. Factors such as socioeconomic background, ethnicity, cultural identity, gender, and even age can be attributed to the divide in viewpoints, which has, in turn, caused a divide within the community. This divide has caused debate over many topics within the LGBTQIA+ community, causing some individuals to feel excluded because of their views on label usage. This paper will examine the viewpoints within the LGBTQIA+ community toward the usage of labels. I will evaluate the extent of the discourse with the community, seeking to determine whether label usage is due to factors such as individuals' backgrounds or something else. Then I will use the evidence I have found from my sources to attempt to explain the main factors behind why people are so divided on the topic of label usage within the LGBT community. At the end of my paper, I hope to understand better and explain why some people find labels beneficial while others might find them harmful and what we can learn from those reactions.
Type
Text
Language
eng
Rights
Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 06/01/2023, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.
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