Prevention and combating cyber bullying and internet violence among youth

Prevention and combating cyber bullying and internet violence among youth
– manual for youth workers –
4. Can a person have sexual relations with someone of the same sex and be heterosexual?
5. What type of prejudice and/or violence against gays or lesbians have you seen or heard
about? What are the consequences of this prejudice and/or violence?
6. What names are commonly used to refer to gays, lesbians, transsexuals? Do any of these
names have negative meanings?
7. Have you ever been called gay/lesbian by some of your friends for not doing something,
such as fighting or having interest in clothes? What do you think about this?
8. Why do you think that men are called gay when they do not act according to the
dominant norms of masculinity?
9. What have you learned from this workshop? How can you apply this in your own lives?
Conclusion
Everyone has a sexual orientation – that is, you are romantically and sexually attracted to men,
women, or both. Although we do not know precisely what determines a person’s sexual
orientation, we do know that is formed early in life, is not chosen by the person, and cannot be
changed, although because of social taboos and homophobia, it might be hidden.
Such social taboos and homophobia can put gays and lesbians at particular risk for violence,
discrimination, depression, and self-destructive behaviours like drug and alcohol abuse or
suicide.
It is important to work to dispel myths and promote respect for the right of women and men to
express their sexual orientation free from discrimination and, especially, violence.
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