Homosocialization or LGBT socialization is the process by which

LGBT ' is an initialism that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. In use since the 1990s, the initialism, as well as some of its common variants, functions as an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity. The LGBT term ...

people meet, relate and become integrated in the

LGBT community The LGBT community (also known as the LGBTQ+ community, GLBT community, gay community, or queer community) is a loosely defined grouping of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other queer individuals united by a common culture and so ...

, especially with people of the same

sexual orientation Sexual orientation is an enduring pattern of romantic or sexual attraction (or a combination of these) to persons of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or to both sexes or more than one gender. These attractions are generall ...

and

gender identity Gender identity is the personal sense of one's own gender. Gender identity can correlate with a person's assigned sex or can differ from it. In most individuals, the various biological determinants of sex are congruent, and consistent with the ...

, helping to build their own

identity Identity may refer to: * Identity document * Identity (philosophy) * Identity (social science) * Identity (mathematics) Arts and entertainment Film and television * ''Identity'' (1987 film), an Iranian film * ''Identity'' (2003 film), an ...

as well.

Institutions

High schools

Gay–straight alliance A Gay–Straight Alliance, Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) or Queer–Straight Alliance (QSA) is a student-led or community-based organisation, found in middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities. These are primarily in the United ...

s (GSAs) started to appear in schools the 1980s. They were a way for the youth of the community to overcome seclusion and stigma in the school environment. Currently registered under the parent network

GLSEN GLSEN (pronounced ''glisten''; formerly the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network) is an American education organization working to end discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expres ...

, there are over 3,000 clubs in the United States. The social climate of a school has a direct relationship to the health of the students, both physically and mentally. A 2003 survey of students revealed that 57% of people heard negative remarks; 69% felt unsafe; 31% had missed at least one day of school in the past month.

Universities

Higher education organizations that house LGBT/queer people can strengthen their systems for encouraging socialization through appropriate research within the student body. Not carrying out such research damages the life of students because an institution is unable to make sure it is keeping up-to-date on relevant issues. With continued research institutes can contribute to the bettering of life and success of their LGBT students. The last three decades have seen an increase in LGBT centers on college campuses. These centers are used to help students develop their identities on and off campus, with their intention being to promote and work towards building a more accepting and informed campus environment. The centers also frequently employ professionals who work to improve the campus life experience.

Spaces

Spaces of homosocialization are those physical or virtual places frequented by LGBT people to meet other people of the LGBT community or to find partners, and where it is possible to express freely their sexual identity. Before configuring places specifically for the LGBT community, the most regular practice for interaction in the gay community was sexual encounters in certain outdoor places, such as

parks A park is an area of natural, semi-natural or planted space set aside for human enjoyment and recreation or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. Urban parks are green spaces set aside for recreation inside towns and cities. ...

public baths Public baths originated when most people in population centers did not have access to private bathing facilities. Though termed "public", they have often been restricted according to gender, religious affiliation, personal membership, and other cr ...

. Although much less frequent nowadays, cruising is still a common practice, especially among men who have sex with other men. There are numerous businesses and associations targeting gender and sexual diversity that allow the meeting and

socialization In sociology, socialization or socialisation (see spelling differences) is the process of internalizing the norms and ideologies of society. Socialization encompasses both learning and teaching and is thus "the means by which social and cul ...

of LGBT community. In many cases, they emerge in LGBT villages, where the LGBT community is concentrated. However, many places are suffering from competition among social networks and the internet to attract LGBT people.Interseccionalidad y sexualidades disidentes Manhunt y los cazadores furtivos entre género, clase social y raza.
University of Los Andes (Colombia). 2013.

Digital

Social networking or/and dating or/and hookup sites

* Scruff *

Grindr Grindr () is a location-based social networking and online dating application targeted towards members of the gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. It was one of the first geosocial apps for gay men when it launched in March 2009 an ...

* Taimi *

Manhunt.net Manhunt is a geosocial networking website and online dating application that facilitates male same-sex introductions. The majority of profiles are sexually explicit and include nude photographs and graphic language and are by patrons that are look ...

* Sniffies * Blued *

Squirt.org Squirt.org, launched by Pink Triangle Press in 1999, is a Canadian website which describes itself as a place "where men meet other men for sex, cruising, hookups, dating, fun and friendship". The website, based in Toronto, is available worldwide ...

Her Her is the objective and possessive form of the English-language feminine pronoun she. Her, HER or H.E.R. may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Music * H.E.R. (born 1997), American singer ** ''H.E.R.'' (album), 2017 * HIM (Finnish ...

* Romeo.com *Recon *Hornet

References

{{LGBT LGBT culture LGBT history LGBT and society