Outline both the Kinsey model of sexual orientation (Figure 2.3 in Chapter 12) and the Klein model of sexual orientation (class mini-lecture). What is similar? What is different? If you’ve reviewed these two models to see where you may lie, discuss your results if you are willing. Were you surprised by your results? Why or why not? You may also discuss this in more vague terms–what do you think of these models? For your review, both of these models can be viewed via PDF under this week’s module.

Then, discuss some key points related to the issue of maintaining sex and gender binaries (male/female and masculinity/femininity) in society. Why are they problematic? In what ways do they influence a skewed understanding of the terms “sex” and “gender,” as well as conformity to particular sexual orientation(s)? Be sure to illustrate your answer with explanations from the text, our lectures and/or other cited research.

You must proofread your paper. But do not strictly rely on your computer’s spell-checker and grammar-checker; failure to do so indicates a lack of effort on your part and you can expect your grade to suffer accordingly. Papers with numerous misspelled words and grammatical mistakes will be penalized. Read over your paper – in silence and then aloud – before handing it in and make corrections as necessary. Often it is advantageous to have a friend proofread your paper for obvious errors. Handwritten corrections are preferable to uncorrected mistakes.

Use a standard 10 to 12 point (10 to 12 characters per inch) typeface. Smaller or compressed type and papers with small margins or single-spacing are hard to read. It is better to let your essay run over the recommended number of pages than to try to compress it into fewer pages.

Likewise, large type, large margins, large indentations, triple-spacing, increased leading (space between lines), increased kerning (space between letters), and any other such attempts at “padding” to increase the length of a paper are unacceptable, wasteful of trees, and will not fool your professor.

The paper must be neatly formatted, double-spaced with a one-inch margin on the top, bottom, and sides of each page. When submitting hard copy, be sure to use white paper and print out using dark ink. If it is hard to read your essay, it will also be hard to follow your argument.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Maintaining sex and gender binaries

Introduction

The concept of sex and gender is a tricky one to navigate. It’s easy to get lost in the minutiae of binary genders and sexualities, but it can be helpful to think about how these concepts relate to each other. We often use the terms “sex” and “gender” interchangeably, but they’re not exactly equivalent; however, they can still be used as complementary terms within this article.

SexEd

SexEd is not about sex.

SexEd is about gender.

It’s about gender roles, stereotypes, norms—and bias against people who don’t fit those expectations.

Heteronormativity

Heteronormativity is the idea that heterosexuality is the norm, and that other sexualities are abnormal. For example, heteronormativity can mean that only people who identify as heterosexual or cisgender (i.e., their gender identity matches their biological sex) are considered normal. This means that if you don’t fall into one of these categories then you may not feel included in society—you might feel like an outsider because your gender isn’t what society expects it to be!

Heteronormativity also tells us that there are two genders: male and female (or man/woman). It tells us there aren’t any other genders such as agender, pangender, bigender etc.; they just don’t exist! This idea can be problematic because it creates an environment where everyone fits into one neat binary box.”

Gender essentialism

Gender essentialism is the idea that there are only two genders, male and female. It’s also called gender binary theory or binary sex roles (BSSR). The BSSR model holds that people are either biologically male or female, regardless of their perceived gender identity.

According to BSSR, “gender” refers to how you express yourself in relation to masculinity and femininity—and only these two options exist for each person on earth! This is basically like saying: “There are only two types of dogs: German shepherds and Chihuahuas.”

The problem with this view is that it completely ignores people who don’t fit neatly into one category or another; instead they’re lumped together under a broad umbrella term because they don’t fit into any existing categories at all.*

Takeaway:

When you think of sex, what comes to mind? If you’re like most people, it’s the biological reality of a person’s reproductive anatomy. But that definition isn’t all there is to sex—it also encompasses many other aspects of identity and experience. For example, a person can be born male or female but identify as genderqueer; they may have had surgery and/or hormones to transition from one gender marker to another over time; they might prefer clothing typically associated with one sex in place of another (for example: wearing trousers instead of skirts).

Gender looks different depending on where you look: it’s fluid and constantly changing based on external factors like society’s expectations for men versus women; culture’s influence on language (the word “mankind” was originally meant as an insult); how people interpret certain actions as masculine or feminine through their own individual lens(es). This concept applies whether we’re talking about personal preferences or broader cultural trends—and so does our understanding around what constitutes “realness.”

Conclusion

It’s clear that we have a long way to go when it comes to understanding gender and sexuality as fluid experiences that can be experienced in many ways. A lot of the time, this kind of knowledge is not only ignored but actively punished or silenced. But there are also many ways to make change happen: from education, through support groups or speaking out against injustices in your community—or even just by telling your friends how awesome they are.

In conclusion, I would say that it’s important for us all as individuals (and as communities) to recognize our privilege and take steps towards dismantling it so that others do not suffer at the hands of oppression because of their identities or experiences.”