Carson Luhr

Professor Welden

SOC-1010-01

17 Oct 2022

Application Exercise #2

As society progresses in such a way that allows for members of the LGBTQIA+

community to be outwardly expressive, those who orient themselves within mindsets of

homophobia are more blatantly observable. Whether it be in a public or private setting, these

individuals partake in the use of dangerous language and action to portray their ignorant

messages. Along with this, it is quite often that the actions of these individuals are primarily

influenced through one of the seven social institutions; religion. Now in saying this, that does not

mean that all who identify with a particular religion hold these views, but rather those who hold

these prejudiced opinions mentioned above simply share the common characteristic of being

mainly influenced by the social institution of religion. While instances of homophobia influenced

by religion occur in a myriad of settings, the educational setting is more drastically affected by

the actions of those who hold these beliefs; as this social institution interacts with members of

nearly all other social institutions. One such example of this has recently occurred in a school

district in Arkansas, with an individual issuing statements of prejudice against members of the

LGBTQIA+ community during a school board meeting.1

The article tells of recent events that occurred during a school board meeting of the

Conway Public Schools, located in the city of Conway, Arkansas; this event was first

documented through film and then posted on social media, thus gaining traction as many rallied

against what was stated in the video. The source of these statements was a local preacher in

1
https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/man-says-lgbtq-people-deserve-death-school-board-meeting-arkansas-rcna52002
Conway, Arkansas who took to the podium. While up at the podium, the man makes the

following statement: “They [members of the LGBTQIA+ community] invent ways of doing evil

. . . but let me remind you that those who do such things deserve death.”2 This statement was

also preceded by, “God gave them over to a depraved mind so that they do what they should not

be doing.”3 Despite the school district, upon the massive amount of backlash that was garnered,

making it clear that they do not align themselves with this individual, the article later goes on to

reveal the district’s multiple anti-transgender policies that have been put in place.

Through the use of various sociological principles, this situation can be better understood.

It is evident that the individual speaking holds prejudiced views towards those who identify as

members of the LGBTQIA+ community and it is from a religious standpoint. Thus, Barbara

Risman’s theory of “Gender as a Social Construct” can be implemented. This theory incorporates

various factors into gender identity such as socialization, social interactions, and institutions.

Thus, this theory can be applied given that the happenings of this article involve not only one,

but two social institutions; religion and education. An individual’s gender identity is shaped

profusely through these institutions; for example, in school there is a hidden curriculum that

reinforces more stereotypical gender roles. Following this, religious beliefs have an enormous

impact upon overall societal gender values, and thus these values form the hidden curriculum

within the educational setting. In knowing this, it is clearly evident that what this man is saying

has major potential for negative ramifications; given that his words hold an extreme volatility to

them. Those who seek to express their gender in a way that does not conform to the societal

gender scripts that are clearly favored by those who hold power within the\is community in

Arkansas are now put into potential danger.

2
Schermele, Zachary. 2022. “Man says LGBTQ people 'deserve death' at school board meeting in Arkansas.”
3
Schermele, “Man Says”
 The words of this local pastor in Conway, Arkansas hold a great deal of weight to them,

not only in that particular community but also within any setting; as his “message” has been

spread profusely throughout the internet during the recent days. Through the use of sociological

ideas such as gender scripts, prejudice, hidden curriculum, and also the theory of Gender as a

Social Construct, not only can this event be better understood within itself as the result of

institutions, but it can also be put into the context of society as a whole. Sadly, the words said in

this article are not only that of this local pastor, but there are still many who hold these ideas to

be true, meaning that those who express themselves in a manner that doesn’t follow typical

gender norms are under constant negative influence. Overall, through the study of this isolated

event, gender relations can be analyzed on a macro-level, and along with this, the influence that

institutions have within this area of our lives.

 References

Schermele, Zachary. 2022. “Man says LGBTQ people 'deserve death' at school board meeting in

Arkansas.” NBC News.

https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/man-says-lgbtq-people-deserve-death-schoo

l-board-meeting-arkansas-rcna52002.