‘We’re all very liberal in our views’: Students’ talk about lesbian and gay parenting

Abstract

Mapping the contours of homophobia and heterosexism is a key concern for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) psychology. In this paper, I present a discursive analysis of the construction of heterosexism in student focus group discussions about lesbian and gay parenting. My analysis (empirically) develops Kitzinger’s (1987) theoretical and political argument that the concept of homophobia is embedded in a liberal framework and requires people to endorse a liberal construction of homosexuality in order to be considered tolerant. The paper contributes to the growing literature on the discursive construction of heterosexism by exploring the participants7’ use of liberal language and assumptions and how these are complicit in the reproduction of heteronormativity. I identify three ways in which the students ‘do’ being liberal. In all cases, the participants’ discourse fails to move beyond a heterocentric perspective. I provide examples of each of these themes and explore their rhetorical design and ideological functions.