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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
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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
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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.
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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
homelessness, prostitution, drug use and depression. She then goes on to state that at an early
age she was ostracized from her family and faced financial problems the result of this was
her being homeless for a period of time.
“…homosexuality is a barren, immoral act, it serves no essential purpose to society
and it merely satisfies the lust of the participants. It would be outrageously irresponsible to
