Sexuality, Inequality & Life Chances (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Sociology): Revision Note

What is sexuality?

• Sexuality refers to a person’s sexual orientation, e.g. heterosexual (straight), homosexual (gay or lesbian) or bisexual

• 'Transgender' describes people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth

• Sexuality and gender identity influence people’s status, treatment and life chances in society

• Homophobia is discrimination or prejudice against people because of their sexuality; prejudice against transgender people is transphobia

• Life chances consequence:

  • Prejudice and inequality based on sexuality can affect mental health, safety, education and job opportunities

Changing attitudes in the UK

• The UK has seen major progress in social attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people over the past 60 years

• In the 1950s homosexuality was illegal and widely stigmatised

• The Sexual Offences Act (1967) decriminalised sex between men aged 21 and over, in private, in England and Wales, but equality took longer to achieve

• In 2000 the age of consent for homosexuals was made equal to that of heterosexuals (age 16)

• The Equality Act (2010) protects people from discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender reassignment

• In 2014, same-sex marriage became legal in England, Wales and Scotland, and in Northern Ireland in 2020

• Life chances consequence:

  • Legal reforms have improved equality and opportunities for LGBTQ+ people, but discrimination and stigma still affect everyday life

Education

• Schools are important agents of socialisation that can either challenge or reproduce homophobia

• In 1988 Section 28 banned local authorities from “promoting homosexuality”, so many schools avoided discussing LGBTQ+ issues, reinforcing discrimination – it was repealed in 2003 (2000 in Scotland)

• Schools have introduced anti-bullying policies and LGBTQ+ education to promote inclusion

• Youth Chances (2014) found that young LGBTQ+ people still face bullying, anxiety and depression at higher rates than their peers

• Life chances consequence:

  • Homophobic bullying and lack of acceptance at school can harm mental health, lower achievement and limit future opportunities

Work and employment

• Despite progress, many LGBTQ+ people still experience workplace discrimination

  • Stonewall’s LGBT in Britain: Work Report (2018) found that almost 1 in 5 LGBT employees (18%) had been the target of negative comments or conduct from colleagues in the past year because they were LGBT

  • Some transgender people hide their identity at work out of fear of losing their jobs

• Positive workplace schemes, e.g. Pride Networks, have improved representation in some sectors

• Life chances consequence:

  • Discrimination and fear of prejudice can prevent LGBTQ+ people from advancing in their careers or feeling safe at work

Income and wealth

• LGBTQ+ individuals in same-sex couples now have the same legal rights to employment benefits, pensions and inheritance as heterosexual couples

• However, transgender people and those rejected by family may face financial hardship due to job loss, homelessness or social isolation

• The Youth Chances survey found that many young LGBTQ+ people were unemployed or underemployed, often because of mental health struggles or discrimination

• Life chances consequence:

  • Economic inequality remains, especially for transgender people, who are more likely to face poverty and exclusion

Health and wellbeing

• Homophobia and transphobia contribute to mental health problems, including depression, anxiety and self-harm

• LGBTQ+ people may also face barriers in healthcare, such as:

  • lack of understanding from professionals

  • fear of being judged or “outed”

• The Government Equalities Office’s National LGBT Survey (2018) found that 38% of trans respondents had a negative experience of healthcare because of their gender identity, and 18% avoided treatment for fear of discrimination

• Life chances consequence:

  • Poor mental health, stress and unequal access to healthcare lower the quality of life for many LGBTQ+ individuals

Crime

• Hate crimes based on sexuality or gender identity remain a serious issue

• Police in England and Wales recorded 21,407 sexual orientation hate crimes and 3,955 transgender identity hate crimes in the year ending March 2026 (Home Office)

• Victims often experience verbal abuse, assault and online harassment

• Fear of hate crime can make people hide their identity in public spaces

• Life chances consequence:

  • Experiencing or fearing hate crime restricts freedom, safety and confidence, affecting wellbeing and participation in society

Family and relationships

• Attitudes towards same-sex relationships and parenting have become more accepting

• Same-sex couples can now adopt and foster children, providing equality in family life

• However, some families and religious communities still reject LGBTQ+ relatives, leading to homelessness and social isolation among young people

• Life chances consequence:

  • Family rejection and lack of support can cause emotional distress and financial instability, especially for young LGBTQ+ people

Religion, belief and sexuality

• Some religious beliefs and teachings have historically opposed homosexuality or same-sex relationships

• Traditional religious views can lead to conflict between faith identity and sexual orientation — particularly in Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities

• Religious institutions have sometimes resisted equality reforms such as same-sex marriage

• However, attitudes within many faiths are changing:

  • Some Church of England and Reform Jewish leaders now bless same-sex unions

    • E.g. since December 2023, Church of England priests have been allowed to use special prayers to bless same-sex couples, although couples still cannot marry in church

  • LGBTQ+ faith groups, e.g. Imaan, Keshet and Inclusive Church, promote equality and inclusion within religion

• Religious homophobia can lead to family rejection and mental health issues among LGBTQ+ youth, while inclusive faith spaces can provide acceptance and support

• Life chances consequence:

  • Negative religious attitudes can worsen discrimination and isolation, but inclusive faith communities can improve wellbeing and belonging for LGBTQ+ individuals

Media representation

• Media portrayals of sexuality have changed dramatically over time

• In the past, gay and lesbian characters were often shown as villains, tragic figures or as comic characters

  • Steve Craig (1992) found that gay men were usually portrayed as “camp” or evil rather than as ordinary, everyday characters

• The media has since become more inclusive:

  • David Bowie, Boy George and Lady Gaga have challenged stereotypes through music and style

  • Conchita Wurst won the Eurovision Song Contest (2014), celebrated for breaking gender norms

  • Coronation Street’s Hayley Cropper (the first transgender soap character) was a turning point for representation

• The media now often promotes positive LGBTQ+ role models, though heteronormative bias still exists

• Life chances consequence:

  • Positive visibility improves public acceptance and confidence, while negative portrayals reinforce prejudice and stigma

Moral panics and homophobia

• In the 1980s, media coverage of HIV/AIDS created a “gay plague” moral panic, increasing fear and hostility

• Homophobic attitudes linked to religion or traditional values still persist in parts of society

• Today, campaigns like Stonewall’s “Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!” and Pride events help challenge discrimination and promote equality

• Life chances consequence:

  • Moral panics and prejudice can lead to isolation, exclusion and violence — but education and visibility can change attitudes over time

Sociological perspectives on sexuality, inequality & life chances

Marxism

• Marxists argue that capitalist society uses moral values to control people’s behaviour and protect the status quo

• Homophobia divides the working class and distracts from economic inequality

• The LGBTQ+ rights movement challenges this by demanding equality and questioning dominant power structures

Functionalism

• Functionalists see sexuality as part of the social order — traditional family roles help maintain stability

• They argue that acceptance of diverse sexualities reflects social change and adaptation to modern values

• However, rapid changes in norms can cause moral confusion or conflict between generations

Feminism

• Feminists highlight the link between patriarchy and homophobia

• Traditional gender expectations reinforce heteronormativity

• Lesbian and transgender women face double discrimination — both sexism and homophobia / transphobia

• The feminist movement has supported LGBTQ+ rights as part of broader struggles for equality and autonomy