THE IMPACT OF STIGMATIZATION ON SOCIAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE LGBTCOMMUNITY

Introduction. The current stage of society's development is the time to remove taboos. Around the world begin to speak openly on the previously taboo topics. One of them is the issue of non-traditional sexual orientation. It's natural that in every society there is a certain number of people who have a nontraditional sexual orientation. The reasons for the taboo of this topic in Ukraine include the unreadiness of Ukrainian society to openly discuss it, because firstly the older generation`s minds brought up in the ideals of the Soviet era, homosexuality is an inadmissible phenomenon. In addition, in Ukraine, as a Christian state, homosexual relations are openly condemned by the Church. These and other factors affect the fact that manifestations of homophobia and transphobia, stigmatization, discrimination and violations of the rights of people with non-traditional sexual orientation are quite frequent. The issues of homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination of LGBT-people are not underdeveloped, but Ukrainian scientists did not focus on the aspect of stigmatization of LGBT-people. Different types and aspects of stigmatization are investigated in the Ukrainian scientific space: from the stigmatization as a sociocultural phenomenon, to individual manifestations of stigmatization in various spheres of social life. However, there was still no detailed study of stigmatization based on sexual orientation, because the study of this subject by Ukrainian researchers began relatively recently and was carried out within the framework of Western stigma theories (although there are certain empirical researches concerning sexual stigma that make it possible to draw certain conclusions regarding the actions of this mechanism in Ukraine). Based on Western methodologies for studying this phenomenon in Ukraine, given its specificity in our country, it requires modification of these approaches, adapted to modern Ukrainian realities. This determines the theoretical relevance of this topic. The study of this phenomenon Mental Health: Global Challenges Journal Matviiko1, Shkoliar2 MHGCJ – 2019 SPECIAL ISSUE “Ukraine and global processes in the area of Mental Health” ISSN 2612-2138 http://www.mhgcj.org 2 in Ukraine, based on Western methodologies, requires modification of these approaches, adaptation to modern Ukrainian realities. This fact determines the theoretical relevance of this topic. In practical terms, the study of this topic is relevant, because it can be a ground for studying the level of tolerance to LGBT-people in Ukraine, problems of that category of people in Ukrainian society and the search for ways to regulate them; it can be a useful material for gender studies and the basis for further research on this topic. Our research will also be relevant to the activities of public organizations dealing with gender issues, issues of equality and human rights because the study of stigma will help prevent social divisions in relations between heterosexual people and representatives of the LGBT community. Thus, the applied dimension of the study is quite obvious: to "remove stress" and overcome the "points of schism" in the modern Ukrainian society, and, consequently, to normalize relations in it by increasing the level of tolerance and trust between different socio-cultural groups of society. Purpose. the analysis of the features of the phenomenon of stigmatization based on sexual orientation in modern Ukrainian society. Methods. Since sociology is a multi-paradigm science, we relied on the methodological principles of various scientific approaches. In particular, the theoretical and empirical study of this topic relies on the principles of structural functionalism, since the phenomenon of stigmatization is described in terms of a system having a certain structure, types, determinants, and consequences, is exposed to the factors of a wider system society and, in turn, has the property of influencing on this system. However, the methodology of structural functionalism limits the depth of the study of stigmatization, and therefore the methodological principles of symbolic interactionism have been used to interpret the phenomenon of gender stigmatization as a certain symbol bearing the usually negative content and to explain how an individual's assessment (representative`s of LGBT) of himself, based on his society`s assessment. The research is also based on I. Goffman's concept of stigma, set forth in his work "Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity" (Goffman, E. 1963). Consequently, we adhere to the interpretation of the concept of "stigma" by I. Goffman and rests on the stigma typology identified by the author. In addition, we take into account the fact Mental Health: Global Challenges Journal Matviiko1, Shkoliar2 MHGCJ – 2019 SPECIAL ISSUE “Ukraine and global processes in the area of Mental Health” ISSN 2612-2138 http://www.mhgcj.org 3 that the differences between the non-stigmatized and stigmatized ("we" and "them") groups are exaggerated (which offset the differences within the groups themselves), and social interaction with the stigmatized person often involves discrimination leading to reduce the lifespan of a person who has stigma. Also, the methodology includes P. Byrne’s interpretation of stigma, who treats the concept of "stigmatization" as an action, a certain sequential mechanism that includes the outlined steps. So, using the western stigmatization theories, the mechanism of stigma overlaying and its effects within the Ukrainian space is analyzed. Methods of gathering information: General scientific methods: analysis and synthesis (analysis of various approaches to the study of sexual orientation and stigmatization and formed in thematic blocks), comparative method (compared the approaches to the study of the phenomenon of stigmatization, as well as comparison of secondary data), deduction (scientific research was conducted from general to concrete, that is from the outline of the general approaches to the interpretation of the phenomenon of stigmatization to specific theories, the allocation of certain important features of stigmatization on the basis of sexual orientation, its types, causes, consequences, etc.). Empirical methods: in-depth interviews (which allow to capture individual views of people about the problem of stigmatization based on sexual orientation and establish certain tendencies regarding the course of the process of imposing stigma in the Ukrainian society, in particular in Lviv), the method of focus group research (which allows to diversify information, reveal controversial moments, the most important factors that influence the stigmatization of the LGBT community in the Ukrainian society). Results. Stigmatization is a process of imposing the stigma label. Stigma is the result of selective perception, the distinction between "we" and "they" groups (Goffman, E. 1963). Stigmatization based on sexual orientation is a special kind of stigmatization. Sexual stigma (based on sexual orientation) ties to any nonheterosexual behavior, identity, relationship or community, it is a socially widespread perception of the underdeveloped homosexuality status status comparing to heterosexuality (Teliti A. 2015). There are three varieties of sexual Mental Health: Global Challenges Journal Matviiko1, Shkoliar2 MHGCJ – 2019 SPECIAL ISSUE “Ukraine and global processes in the area of Mental Health” ISSN 2612-2138 http://www.mhgcj.org 4 stigma (Herek G. 2009): felt-stigma (meaning the person's expectation of stigmatization), internalized stigma or self-stigma (hidden negative attitude towards oneself and their own homosexual desires) and enacted stigma (open behavioral expression of stigma). The most significant effects of stigmatization based on sexual orientation include inequality between heterosexuals and homosexual people, which is expressed and fixed in the form of hierarchical relations within society and correlates with discrimination. Sexual stigma is characterized by consolidation (in the past or today) at the institutional level, for example in medicine, religion, legislation (in particular, religion is one of the most important factors in the stigmatization of LGBT). The peculiarity is that there is a fact of ungrounded or intense perception by themselves (LGBT) as a stigmatized group (by default) because heterosexual people do not always show a lack of bias in themselves. The problem in modern society is that any member of society can be attributed to this stigmatized group on the basis of having some external "attributes of homosexuality", as well as by frequent concealment by representatives of the LGBT community of their orientation. There is a gradation in the strength of stigmatization about certain groups of LGBT communities. In particular, there is a higher level of tolerance to lesbians than gay or transgender people. Stigmatization also manifests itself in the absence of the necessary, adequate state support. Analyzing the reports of social and public organizations, independent researchers for the years 2008-17 (Martseniuk T., 2010; Compliance with human rights 2009; Status and problems of LGBT movement in Ukraine, 2013; A New Beginning, 2018; Minorities Report, 2017; Basic principles and ways of forming of a common identity of Ukrainian citizens, 2017; Ukrainian society and European values, 2017), we found a tendency of increase of the tolerance level towards the LGBT community, but we cannot claim that the real Ukrainian level corresponds to the same indicator in developed countries. Certain features of stigmatization practices in relation to LGBT: due to the dominance of gays’ social activity, this group suffers the greatest stigma; LGBT movement in Ukraine is not well-organized: not enough activists and resources for effective activity it cannot fully achieve its goals; an "homophobization" Mental Health: Global Challenges Journal Matviiko1, Shkoliar2 MHGCJ – 2019 SPECIAL ISSU