1. Running head: SEXUAL1 M6A2: Sexual OrientationChristopher RuperArgosy University

2. SEXUAL2AbstractI interviewed my friend Casey who has a different sexual orientation from me. She claims is alesbian most of the time but she would be considered bisexual by society. 3. SEXUAL3 Sexual orientationI presented Casey with the following questions: What is your sexual orientation and how comfortable are you about admitting this openlyto others? Casey says she is a lesbian most of the time but she also partakes in bisexual activities aswell. She said she is very comfortable talking about her orientation to others. Most people, suchas her friends, are very understanding of her orientation. She thinks what she does with her bodyor life is her own business. She says she typically does not care what other people think.What, if any, discrimination do you experience because of your sexual orientation? Casey says she does not encounter the same level of discrimination that some of herlesbian and gay friends encounter. They are often harassed and made fun of constantly. Caseyadmits that she receives most of her negative comments from other women. She says somewomen are disproving of her orientation and are not afraid to let Casey know. They often saythings like That is gross, I do not get why you do it, I think it is just a phase, or You willget over it. When men make fun of Casey she says it is because they are jealous and want to bewith Casey but they know they cannot because of her orientation. Most of the time she says it isplayful teasing and not as big of a deal as the comments from other women.What do you think needs to change at the cultural level to reduce discrimination against gay,lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered individuals? 4. SEXUAL 4 Casey said that people should be more sensitive to each other and not get involved inother peoples business. She also thinks that more people should take the time to get to know oneanother and be more understanding. Casey and I have been friends for a long time. I did not know she was a lesbian orbisexual until she told me about a week after I met her. Part of being someones friend is gettingto know them. She did not show any signs of being uncomfortable with discussing her sexualorientation. We have had many conversations together about her. She and I have also had manydiscussions about gays and lesbians. Casey is a very nice women and she is very honest and comfortable with herself. I havenever been around her when she experienced discrimination. I would say that her level ofdiscrimination is pretty minimal from what she has told me. We have both heard of other peoplethat have faced a lot of discrimination for their sexual orientation. These people can have anegative impact on them from discrimination. Because gay men and lesbians are stereotyped,uninformed, or fed inaccurate, distorted information about homosexuality, the messages areinternalized and result in low self-esteem, (Robinson, 2009). They can also feel left out bysociety, grieving the loss of membership in the dominant culture and entry into a permanentlystigmatized group, (Argosy University, 2011). She and I both agree that people should be moretolerant and understanding of each other. This would greatly reduce discrimination in oursociety. This experience has been a good experience for me. It gave me a chance to see thedecimation side of sexual orientation. I did not have any negative thoughts about people of adifferent sexual orientation from my own but I can see how people can benefit through 5. SEXUAL5communication with other people. Exposure to people perceived to be threatening, such aslesbians and gays, can in turn reduce antigay attitudes, (Robinson, 2009). 6. SEXUAL6ReferencesArgosy University (2011). Diversity. Retrieved on April 10, 2011 from http://www.myeclassonline.com.Robinson, T (2009). The convergence of race, ethnicity, and gender. (3rd Ed.). Retrieved on April 10, 2011 from http://www.argosy.edu. 7. SEXUAL 7