FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE DECISION TO DISCLOSE

SEXUAL ORIENTATION OF AMERICAN TEENAGERS

IN THE MOVIE “LOVE, SIMON”
Instructed by Bui Thi Thuc Quyen, Dr.

GROUP 5
VÕ THỊ HOA CẢNH
HOÀNG THỊ ĐOAN
ĐẶNG QUẾ NHƯ
VĂN THỊ TRÚC MAI
 OUTLINE

1 INTRODUCTION
LITERATURE
2
REVIEW M
3 ANALYSIS

4 DISCUSSION
5
IMPLICATION &
5 CONCLUSION
 I. INTRODUCTION

- Love, Simon is a 2018 American romantic teen comedy-

drama film based on the novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens
Agenda by Becky Albertalli.
- The film stars Nick Robinson, Josh Duhamel, and Jennifer
Garner.
- Plot: Simon Spier, a gay high school boy
who is forced to balance his friends, his
family, and the blackmailer threatening to
out him to the entire school, while
simultaneously attempting to discover the
identity of the anonymous classmate with
whom he has fallen in love online.
 I. INTRODUCTION

- Research aim: to find out the factors that lead to

the decision to disclose gender orientation of
homosexual teenagers in the USA through the movie
“Love, Simon” , in comparison with Vietnamese
context.
- Research questions:
Are there any factors leading to the decision to
disclose gender orientation among adolesents? If
yes, what are the factors?
 II. LITERATURE REVIEW

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION

Gender Identity
it is clear that the labels homosexual, bisexual, heterosexual,
gay, straight, and so on can be understood only within the
context of other components of sexual identity (Suppe, 1984)
 II. LITERATURE REVIEW

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Sexual orientation
- Sexual orientation involves whom one is attracted to
sexually, emotionally, and spiritually (Savin-Williams 1990;
Remafedi 1990; Thompson 1994). These attractions are
generally subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality,
and bisexuality.
- Sexual orientation is generally considered to reflect sexual
feelings rather than other factors, such as social constraints.
 II. LITERATURE REVIEW
Coming out / Self-disclosure
INTRODUCTION
- is the act of revealingINTRODUCTION
personal information about oneself to
another” Collins and Miller (1994)
- often involve surprising, if not stigmatizing, information
such as criminal activity, marital infidelity, or sexual
orientation (see Derlega, Metts, Petronio, & Margulis, 1993;
Ludwig, Franco, & Malloy, 1986).
- is not a one-time occasion.
Coming out is often described
as a life-long process that
involves a widening circle of
friends, family, and
acquaintances.
 II. LITERATURE REVIEW

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION

LGBT individuals often must

decide just how ‘‘out’’ to be
with different people.
(Morris et al., 2001)
 II. LITERATURE REVIEW
FACTORS LEADING TO DISCLOSURE
INTRODUCTION
Psychological needs
Positive outcomes: better mental health (R. M.
Ryan et al., 2006), physical health (Williams,
Grow, Freedman, Ryan, & Deci, 1996), and better
relationships (Patrick, Knee, Canevello, &
Lonsbary, 2007)
 II. LITERATURE REVIEW
FACTORS LEADING TO DISCOSURE
INTRODUCTION
Social factors
- Family: Parents are usually the first educators of the sexual
identity to children and teach them about love, kindness
and humility.
- Peers: Students also report that most information on
sexuality is learned by their peers.
- School: influence the socialization of young people and
acceptation of social attitudes, values and beliefs that can
even affect the outcomes of the media and program.
- Media: main educational sources of youth’s sexual
relationships. Information from parents and peers is likely to
expand the depth and impact through the media.
(Ward, 2002)
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION

Adapted from Cass (1979)

ANALYSIS

Simon’s
coming out
process
 Stage 1: Confusion
ANALYSIS

Simon’s first awareness

of gay or lesbian
thoughts, feelings, and
attractions. He typically
feel confused and
experience turmoil.
 Stage 2:
ANALYSIS Comparison

Simon accepts the

possibility of being gay or
lesbian and examines the
wider implications of that
tentative commitment.
"Maybe this situation will
finish when I attend
university.”
ANALYSIS Stage 3: Tolerant

Simon comes to the

understanding “I am not the
only one". He seeks out other
gay people to combat feelings
of isolation. Increased
commitment to be gay. The
task is to decrease social
alienation by seeking out
lesbians and gays.
 Stage 4: Acceptant
ANALYSIS

After the incident, Simon

accepts rather than tolerates .
There is continuing and
increased contact with the
gay and lesbian culture. The
task is to deal with inner
tension of no longer
subscribing to society's norm,
attempt to bring congruence
between private and public
view of self.
ANALYSIS Stage 5: Pride

The main thinking is "I've

got to let people know
who I am!“.
 Stage 6: Synthesis
ANALYSIS

Integrates their sexual

identity with all other
aspects of self, and
sexual orientation
becomes only one
aspect of self rather
than the entire identity.
American culture vs. Vietnamese culture
American culture
- 1950s & 1960s: Sexual identity:
private, personal
- 1970s: Gay Liberation and
Lesbian Feminism  establish
lesbian and gay identity
politics: education and
representation, legal changes,
same-sex partnerships, and
health
- Gay rights approach
dominated lesbian and gay
politics in the 1990s, though
not without controversy
- Same-sex marriage: legal in
37/50 states (2015)
Vietnamese culture
- Face stigma and discrimination; suffer from
exploitation, sexual assaults, and violence.
- No protection law
- Get married to members of the opposite
sex/gender as a result of social or family pressure.
- Try to conform to the social norm
- Same-sex marriage: illegal
- No health services and education programs.
- In the 20th century, communities of sexual and
gender minorities became more socially visible.
- In the last few years, positive changes toward
recognizing LGBT lives and the human rights
challenges
- The perception of the media on the LGBT
community has also improved: events, books,
newspapers, radio, etc.
- However, stigma, discrimination, prejudice and
violence are also prevalent against LGBT persons
in schools
RECOMMENDATIONS & CONCLUSION

• Supporting law and school policy to protect

LGBT
• Cooperation between students, families, and the
school boards
• Gender and sex education
• Providing counseling services at schools and
teaching students to respect diversity and
eliminate discrimination.
• Teachers and educators should receive training on
sexual diversity and inclusive and non-
discriminating teaching methods.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION