People belonging to sexual minorities and people who do not conform to gender stereotypical roles still have a disadvantaged position in society. To promote inclusivity, it is important to... Show morePeople belonging to sexual minorities and people who do not conform to gender stereotypical roles still have a disadvantaged position in society. To promote inclusivity, it is important to understand how individuals are socialized into heteronormativity: everyday ways in which heterosexuality and traditional gender roles are positioned as normal and natural. In this dissertation, I examine the extent to which individuals (adolescents in particular) are socialized with heteronormativity by the national context in which they live, by Dutch schoolbooks and within Dutch families.Individuals appear to be socialized with heteronormativity in different ways: at the national level, progressive laws appear to be important, in school textbooks gender stereotypical patterns, underrepresentation of women and exclusion of sexual minorities, and within families the transmission of gender stereotypical and homophobic attitudes from parents to children. It appears that there is still a long way to go to achieve inclusion based on gender and sexual orientation. It seems important to continue to investigate both conscious and unconscious heteronormative messages and to address them in policy. More representation of counter-stereotypical role models and the normalization of public expressions and relationships of lesbian women and gay men seem necessary. Show less
When the European Convention on Human Rights was drawn up in 1948, the issues of sexual orientation and gender identity were not considered by its drafters. At that time, the discussion of the... Show moreWhen the European Convention on Human Rights was drawn up in 1948, the issues of sexual orientation and gender identity were not considered by its drafters. At that time, the discussion of the rights of LGBT people (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexuals and Transsexuals), which has at present become very vivid, was virtually non-existent. As a consequence, the legal protection provided to heterosexual and cisgender people in the areas covered by the right to respect for private and family life (Article 8), the right to marry and found a family (Article 12), and the prohibition of discrimination (Article 14) was inaccessible to the non-heterosexual and non-cisgender community. The current article elucidates on the topic of the gradual opening up of the European Court of Human Rights in applying the Convention to sexual minorities, and argues that the Court has made significant progress in defending the rights of LGBT ever since its installation in 1959. The article describes the Court’s ultimate balancing act, in which it oscillates between progressiveness and reticence, never fulfilling the role of protagonist but still aiming at providing a most fundamental principle of human rights law: equality. Show less
