Abstract
Using the Netherlands as a case study, this article explores how increased social acceptance of and legal protections for
gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people impact their lives. The author draws on in-depth interviews with nine
LGBT people to argue that the danger of acceptance is invisibility for those who assimilate and marginalization for those
who do not conform to assimilationist discourses, such as transgender individuals and other gender nonconformers. Utilizing
Butler’s theories of normalization and Goffman’s theories of stigmatization, the findings also show that assimilating into
homonormativity can generate feelings of shame and fear. The author concludes that new approaches in dismantling heteronormativity
and seeking equality are needed in order to achieve genuine acceptance for LGBT people.
gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people impact their lives. The author draws on in-depth interviews with nine
LGBT people to argue that the danger of acceptance is invisibility for those who assimilate and marginalization for those
who do not conform to assimilationist discourses, such as transgender individuals and other gender nonconformers. Utilizing
Butler’s theories of normalization and Goffman’s theories of stigmatization, the findings also show that assimilating into
homonormativity can generate feelings of shame and fear. The author concludes that new approaches in dismantling heteronormativity
and seeking equality are needed in order to achieve genuine acceptance for LGBT people.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s13178-012-0084-3
- Authors
- Brandon Andrew Robinson, Department of Sociology, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station A1700, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Journal Sexuality Research and Social Policy
- Online ISSN 1553-6610
- Print ISSN 1868-9884