Type

Essay

Pages

18 pages

Word Count

3570 words

School

Harrison College

Course Code

CARIBBEAN STUDIES

Level Of Acceptance Homosexuality In Barbados

November 26, 2020

<img src="https://preview.coursepaper.com/581984/page-pf1.jpg">1 
 
Table of Contents 
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 3 
Literature Review .................................................................................................................................... 6 
Data Collection Sources .......................................................................................................................... 8 
Presentation of Data ................................................................................................................................ 9 
Analysis of Data .................................................................................................................................... 17 
Discussion of Findings .......................................................................................................................... 20 
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................ 22 
Limitations ............................................................................................................................................ 22 
Recommendations ................................................................................................................................. 23 
Bibliography ......................................................................................................................................... 24 
 
 
   

Introduction

Statement of the Problem

In the Caribbean especially in Barbados, there is an astounding amount of stigma

directed towards the homosexual community. In fact, in the small island state, although

homosexuality is not illegal, the act of buggery is and the consequence of anyone caught

committing these acts is life imprisonment. This legislation could be accredited to the fact

that homosexuality is still not completely an accepted choice of lifestyle.

This realization brings to the forefront a pressing issue in not only the Caribbean but

the world as we have come to know it. The attitudes of people especially those of the

younger generation towards homosexuality can be seen as an issue which will be around for

generations to come unless action is taken to educate these teenagers.

Therefore, it is a necessity that proper information is provided to teenagers in order to

help eradicate the problem of homonegativity which can in term benefit persons who are part

of the homosexuality community; either to not feel attacked or ostracized.

Purpose of Research

The purpose of this study is to explore and determine the attitudes of sixth form

students at a government secondary school towards homosexuality. The researcher aims to

find out how to students interpret the term ‘homosexuality’, their attitude and level of

acceptance towards it and what problems persons who are part of the homosexuality

community face.

Problem Statement

What are the level of acceptance and attitudes of a sample of Caribbean sixth formers

towards homosexuality in their country?

Research Questions

1. What do they understand by the term ‘homosexuality’?

2. What is their level of attitude and acceptance towards homosexuality?

3. What challenges do they believe homosexuals face?

Value of the Research

This study seeks to raise awareness to the importance of equal levels of

acceptance no matter the lifestyle a person chooses to live. It also serves to bring

attention to the problems that persons in the homosexual community are currently

facing. This study was done in the hopes that persons can educate themselves on the

homosexual community to lessen the stigma already face. The information collected

from this study can be used by teachers, guidance counsellors, members of homosexual

communities to help educate persons and eradicate this problem.

Technical Terms

• Homosexuality – this is romantic attraction, sexual attraction or sexual behaviour

between members of the same sex or gender.

• Homonegativity – this is the negative attitude towards homosexuality. The exact

meaning of this term is still a subject of discussion.

• Attitude – a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something.

• Acceptance – agreement with or belief in an idea, opinion, or explanation. (In the

context of this study).

• Legislation – a law or set of laws made by a government.

• Ostracized – to have excluded a person or group of people from a group or society.

• LGBT – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender

• Buggery - the criminal offense of anal or oral intercourse by penetration of the male

organ into the anus or mouth of another person of either sex or intercourse between

members of either sex with an animal.

• Homophobia – dislike or prejudice against homosexual people.

Literature Review

In order to properly understand and determine the level of acceptance and the

attitudes of teenagers towards homosexuality and ways to eradicate problems

associated with this, a number of sources were examined. In an effort to obtain useful

information from a successful study, ‘homosexuality’ must be defined.

According to Gregory M.Herek, Ph.D., in an excerpt taken from a publication

by the Oxford University Press, ‘homosexuality encompasses a variety of phenomena

related to a same-sex sexual orientation …. Homosexuality also refers to patterns of

same-sex romantic and emotional bonding, identities and communities based on

same-sex desires and relationships, and the shared culture created by those

communities.’ The term ‘homosexuality’ is often oversimplified, because it is usually

defined from a place of personal bias. So therefore to define or see ‘homosexuality’

as something it is not leads persons to have a misunderstanding of this term and the

people to which it is associated.

“Barbados remains committed to the principles enshrined in the Universal

Declaration of Human Rights and will continue, therefore, to lend its voice to calls

both in regional and international for a for the elimination of all forms of

discrimination including discrimination including discrimination against persons of

differing sexual orientation’, a response made by Prime Minister Freundel Stuart to a

letter in which he says Barbados shall lend its voice in the fight against

discrimination against homosexual persons. This may be a step forward but

policymakers have yet to make any lead way and seem very unwilling to stand firm

in any decisions.

Moreover, according to Donnya Piggott, executive director of BGLAD (Barbados

Gays & Lesbians Against Discrimination) she has had to face the discomforts of life due to

the gaze or pressures put on her as a LGBT person in Barbados. In an article taken from a

document posted in the library of The Kaleidoscope Trust- a trusted organisation that fends

against the discrimination and fights for the equal rights of the LGBT people in countries-

Donnya also states that the major problems facing the LGBT community are abandonment,

unemployment and rejection which can then lead to dangerous side effects which include

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