SARAUS, Rightbell Jean S. Ms.

Lois Vanjie Napalit

BSMT – 2B Gender and Society

SEX and GENDER DISCRIMINATION, and

HARASSMENT
Gender and Society | Lesson 5

Gender Discrimination
Is the unequal or disadvantageous treatment of an individual or group of individuals based on actual or perceived
gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Discrimination based on gender (or sex) is a common civil rights violation that takes many forms, including:
1. sexual harassment
2. pregnancy discrimination
3. unequal pay for women who do the same jobs as men.

Sexual harassment.
- Is engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct that is known or ought to be known to be
unwelcome.

Gender-based harassment is one type of sexual harassment.

- Is “any behavior that reinforces traditional heteronormative gender norms” (Elizabeth J. Meyer)
- It is often used to get people to follow traditional sex stereotypes (dominant males, subservient females).
- It is also used as a bullying tactic, often between members of the same sex.
- Examples of Gender-Based Harassment:
 Making gender-related comments about a person’s appearance or mannerisms.
 Bullying someone using gender-related comments or conduct.
 Treating a person badly because they do not fit stereotypic gender roles.

Forms of Gender-Based Harassment.

1. Physical violence.
Any act which causes physical harm as a result of unlawful physical force. Physical violence can take the form of,
among others, serious and minor assault, deprivation of liberty, and manslaughter.

2. Sexual violence.
Any sexual act performed on an individual without their consent. Sexual violence can take the form of rape or sexual
assault.

3. Psychological violence.
Any act which causes psychological harm to an individual. Psychological violence can take the form of, for example,
coercion, defamation, verbal insults or harassment.

4. Economic violence.
Any act or behavior which causes economic harm to an individual. Economic violence can take the form of, for
example, property damage, restricting access to financial resources, education, or the labor market, or not complying
with economic responsibilities, such as alimony.

Page |1
SARAUS, Rightbell Jean S. Ms. Lois Vanjie Napalit
BSMT – 2B Gender and Society

Heteronormativity
Is the belief that heterosexuality, predicated on the gender binary, is the default, preferred, or normal mode of sexual
orientation. It assumes that sexual and marital relations are most fitting between people of opposite sex.

Assumptions of Gender Based on Heteronormative Beliefs.

1. Heteronormative people should explain themselves while cisgender and heterosexual people do not have to.
2. People should only identify as either male or female.
3. All people are straight.
4. People who are not heterosexual can face serious consequences.

Since people are socialized into heteronormative cultures from birth, heterosexuals benefit from this norm. This
system, however, negatively, impacts women and gender non-conforming individuals.

Adverse Effects of Heteronormativity.

 societal and familial rejection
 feelings of being alone in the world
 verbal harassment
 physical and sexual violence

Homophobia
Is the fear, hatred, discomfort with, or mistrust of people who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual.

Biphobia and Transphobia, the fear of bisexuals or transgenders respectively, also exist

Homophobic people may use mean language and name-calling when they talk about lesbian and gay people.

Manifestations of Homophobia.
1. Internalized Homophobia.
Self-hatred by a homosexual person about their own sexuality. People with internalized homophobia are homophobic
while also experiencing same-sex attraction themselves. People dealing with internalized homophobia may feel the
need to prove that they are straight.

2. Interpersonal Homophobia.
Usually results in the expression of hatred or dislike of others who are thought to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or
transgender. This may be expressed explicitly through behavior ranging from name calling to homicide, or implicitly
(microaggressions) for example through jokes that put down people.

3. Cultural Homophobia.
Societal norms that imply that heterosexuality is ‘better’ and that everyone is or should be heterosexual.

Page |2