Social Work with People Practicing Same-Sex ... - ILGA Europe

5.3. How to Correctly Discuss Homosexuality
with the Media
Laima Geidar, Women's Network Information Centre
As multiple sociological surveys have demonstrated, people's opinions on anything
is formed in the process of communication within one's family, working collective,
among one's friends etc. In conversations with family members, friends, co-workers
people make sense of events and facts, and develop a common approach in line with
the habitual values and norms. Opinions on any issue are shaped and established under
the influence of certain authoritative persons. These are people who formally occupy a
central position in the group (group leaders), or are accepted as experts in certain area
(opinion leaders). Therefore, the propagandist effect of the media is always mediated.
“Mass communication media may not tell us what to think but they will prompt us about
what to think, and how to do it“ 1 . Therefore the making up of a “threat to the society“
coming from the “others“, “different ones“, “aliens“ — is one of the powerful methods
of manipulating the public conscience.
Mass media have an enormous impact on the process that shapes certain perceptions
in the society regarding various issues, processes and phenomena. Highlighting in the
media each specific problem the society faces has a double nature: on the one hand, the
journalists show the actual facts, while on the other one, they articulate attitudes, social
expectations and stereotypes which have formed in the society. That is, highlighting
the issues of human sexuality (the homosexual behaviour) and sexual health represents
a reflection of the established public opinion regarding the homosexual people as an
effect of gender behavioural norms, and patriarchal social values. Therefore, the absence
of knowledge and impartial information at the disposal of the journalists/editors:
• leads to consciously covering of the issue of homosexuality in negative, criminal,
homophobic and heterosexist tones;
• informs negative public opinion;
• contributes to stigmatization of LGBT and MSM and makes discrimination
normative;
• makes conducting appropriate advocacy activities difficult for NGOs; and
• impedes the development of the state policies in the area of expanding human
rights for LGBT and improving access to social services for MSM and WSW.
It is worth pointing out that the homosexual behaviour in our country is traditionally
associated by mass media with “mental disorder“, “criminal offense“, ”sin“, “paedophilia“,
“prostitution“, “debauchery“, “drug addiction and alcoholism“, AIDS, “risk groups“ and
other negative notions. Since the Soviet times, when “there was no sex“, nothing has
changed qualitatively in the media coverage on the issues of homosexuality. Oftentimes,
the journalists striving to present the material objectively are more focused on “hot“
facts and their own judgments than on the likely consequences their publication is
about to produce. Such mode of media coverage justifies the official homophobia of
the state agencies and social institutions, and by fostering negative stereotypes and
myths obliterates LGBT from the list of “normal“ citizens, placing them beyond the law,
and justifying discrimination which is based on hatred toward LGBT. Such actions of the
media do not allow common citizens to take measured and objective decisions based on
an impartial and valid information. And, of course, such actions of the journalists may
lead to discrimination of LGBT and irreparable human tragedies. This is why working
with mass media is so important for LGBT activists and NGOs.
How to talk about homosexuality correctly
Political correctness — is an ideological movement that emerged in Western countries
in 1960s; the movement pursues the purpose to re-consider the established terms
Homophobia often goes side by
side with xenophobia, racism,
anti-Semitism and intolerance to
differences, they are instigated
by the same political forces […]
To theological arguments, and
pseudo-demographic ones are
added, claiming, for instance,
that homosexuality is a key
reason for the declining birth
rate and high morbidity in
Russia. Russian Orthodox Church,
among others, resort to this,
entirely secular argumentation.
Generally, homosexuals appear
to be in many regards the most
convenient scapegoat. I call it
political homophobia.
Igor Sergeevich Kohn, professor,
member of the Russian
Academy of Education
Press-Conference, UNIAN, 2008
On the possibility of legalizing
same-sex marriages in Ukraine:
“It is not worth discussing such
issues at all. These people [gays
and lesbians] have violated
all commandments, and they
are cursed. There should be no
communication with them, and
they deserve no mercy. They are
the devil's tools”.
The Eminent Pavel (Petro
Dmytorvych Lebed),
Archbishop of Vyshgorod, Vicar
of the Metropolitan of Kiev and
all Ukraine, Father Superior of
Holle Dormition Kiev-Pechersk
Laura 2
1 Аронсон Э., Праткинс Э.Р. Эпоха
пропаганды: Механизмы убеждения,
повседневное использование
и злоупотребление. — СПб.:
прайм-ЕВРОЗНАК, 2003. — 384 с.,
стр. 43.
2 Newspaper “Zhizn kak Ona Yest“,
issue #255 (765), 10 November
2006, page 2: article ”sex-minorities
of Ukraine got through to the
government“ (author — Yaroslav
Kovalets).
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