DEVELOP HARMONY WITHIN GENDER DIVERSITY OF THE UNDERGRADUATES ON LGBTQ+ THROUGH STUDYING COMMUNICATION, GENDER & SOCIETY SUBJECT: SPECIAL REFERENCE TO COMMUNICATION STUDIES STUDENTS, TRINCOMALEE CAMPUS

Abstract

“Gender” is a complicated term to understand. For undergraduate students, understanding gender and sexual orientation is inevitable because they are adults. There are most of the conflicts, assaults, murders and criminal activities taking place in this country due to misunderstanding regarding sexual orientations. So, creating an explicit knowledge regarding LGBTQ+ is unavoidable for undergraduates. So, the researcher selected 70 students from the degree program communication studies, Trincomalee campus, the Eastern University of Sri Lanka. They have the subject “Communication, Gender & Society” in their 2nd-year 2nd semester. So, the researcher observed the perception change of the students after studying the subjects through a survey. The researcher selected 70 students from 1st year (20 students), 2nd year (20 students), 3rd year (20 students) and 4th year (10 students). In their school life, through friends and through films, students learn about LGBTQ+. But they have got explicit knowledge regarding the term LGBTQ+ after studying of Communication, Gender & society. Most of the students had a negative perception of this community and bullied and other unwanted activities through these minority people. After this subject, they mentioned that they have their rights, need love and affection, and the society should accept LGBTQ+ people. Such type of behavioural change is fundamental for peace building and harmony. So, a clear standing regarding LGBTQ+ can avoid conflicts in the society. According to our religious perspectives, the acceptance varies. But according to humanity and the world's peace we can avoid the critical conflict conditions through the subject Communication, Gender & Society in undergraduates.