Violence Against Sexual and Gender Minorities - Essay Example

Violence Against Sexual and Gender Minorities Violence Against Sexual and Gender Minorities Introduction Imagine yourself growing up as a boy then in the mid of your teenage life, you realize you are more of a girl? What do you do? Change into a girl? What do you tell your family members? What do you tell your friends? How will the society take this unexpected step? This is what happened to Sasha, a teenage girl in Oakland. Unfortunately not all people understood her situation. The worst happened when Richard Thomas violated Sasha for dressing like a lady. The state court of Oakland took a serious ruling against Richard for this act. This is the picture of the American society right now The American society has drastically changed and transformed in terms of attitude towards the gender and sexual minorities. Unlike in the past, new laws have been put in place to fight violence against the minorities. According to Morrison (2012) the American society has shifted the attitude from negative to positive for the sexual minorities. In some states, they are almost celebrated and admired. This has not always been the case. Incidents of violence against sexual minorities are reported daily. According to Savin-Williams (2006) despite the evolution of negative attitude towards gender and sexual minorities, it is uncommon to hear reported cases of individuals who were subjected to discrimination because of their sexuality. There are factors that play a role in supporting violence against the gender and sexual minorities. However, there are also factors that diminish these acts of violence. This essay analyses these factors in relation to the case of Richard Thomas hate crimes in Oakland, CA. Factors that encourage violence against gender and sexual minorities Majority of cultures and religions do not recognize sexual and gender minorities. These people are perceived as being outlaws and outcasts. According to Buck (2010) the leadership in church has drawn nearer to homosexuals and taken them as part of their congregation. Martin-Storey (2015) says that different cultures and beliefs do not believe in complexities that come with gender. They focus on the outward physical experience and individuals are expected to live up to that. The people’s culture can support violence against the sexual minorities by failing to recognize their state. Makadom (2008) says that when the culture fails to recognize minorities, it create radicalization against the individuals. Childhood experiences also play a role in encouraging violence against sexual minorities and gender. In the case of Richard Thomas his childhood experience was full of violence and death. This played majorly in making him be violent too. His family members as well as close friends were brutally murdered. Violence became part of his life. According to Martin-Storey (2015) childhood experiences affect the perception and insights of an individual about all aspects of life. Corona, Jannini and Maggi (2014) add that adults are mere products of their childhood experiences. Related to childhood experience, is the environment and the society and individual lives in. Every society has its own ways of lives and norms. There are societies that are radical and may have problems with sexual minorities hence abuse their rights. According to Goldberg (2010) the social setups create what seem morally right to them and violation of these morals might not be welcomed by the society. The society where Sasha Fleischman lived took time before accepting her as s heterosexual because they were never used to seeing males putting on skirts. The state laws and policies may also play a role in encouraging violence against sexual minorities. By failing to set clear laws that will protect the minorities, the radicals may take advantage against them. Wise (2012) adds that judicial systems may fail to protect the sexual and gender minorities when the stipulated laws bear no clear details on such cases. Martin-Storey (2015) adds that lobby groups for sexual minorities have continued to fight for legislation of state laws that will protect the sexual and gender minorities. Sears (2015) adds that in the mid 19th century, over 31 cities had prohibited cross-dressing but this has changed over time. Historical factors that perpetuate violence against gender and sexual minorities Historically, the state laws have been against the gender and sexual minorities. According to Sears (2015) in mid 20th century, women who were found to have more than 1/3 of outfit from the male gender were arrested for violent the state laws. The fact that these laws existed once can be seen as a perpetuating factor. This is because it gives people thoughts and ideas against the sexual minorities. Colker (2005) says that the acceptance of the homosexuals in the American society has not full evolved. There are still historical events that have radicalized people against the homosexuals. Psychological factors that perpetuate violence against gender and sexual minorities Influence on peoples mindset can easily radicalize them against gender and sexual minorities. Negative idea and mind views can easily be implanted to individuals involuntarily and make the turn violent against sexual minorities. According to Canaday (2009) the power of influence in ideologies and mindset can turn individuals against other people. Martin-Storey (2015) adds that culprits of violence against sexual minorities do not necessarily involve themselves in these acts because they are homophobic or extreme haters, negative influence plays part in it. In the case of Richard Thomas, majority of the cause was a psychological play. It was direct influence of Jamal that made Richard set the skirt on fire. Sociological factors that perpetuate violence against gender and sexual minorities In an occasion at the bus stop, Sasha Fleischman was confronted by an elderly lady who said Sasha was not a girl because Sasha was in a skirt. The social setups have put standards that expected for males and females. According to Ghaziani (2014) the sexual minorities have difficult time in communities and societies where the norms do not accept them. The society dictates what is considered right and what is wrong. According to Martin-Storey (2015) there are individuals who will stand against sexual minorities not because they hate them but just to side with the society. Prohibitions and laws against gender variation As time changes, the society slowly grows into acceptance of some ideas and social activities. Slavery was a common practice until the late 19th century. This has changed over the years. The same case applies to radicalization and violence against gender variation and sexual minorities. With change in economic activities as well as political shifts, the society changes the perception about the sexual minorities. According to Sear (2015) San Francisco grew during the Gold Rush period with multinationals occupying the city. This meant people with different norms. This influenced the reformation of laws against gender variation. Lewis (2010) says that societies that are multicultural are likely to compromise their strict ideologies in order to accommodate the rest of the cultures. In the other hand, other societies became conservatives and never compromised their standards. Discriminating laws were set against gender and sexual minorities. Political ambitions from leaders meant that they had to work in the same pace with the society and this meant going against the minorities. This minimized any chance of the society accepting the sexual minorities. According to Martin-Storey (2015) the stand of the society on sexual minorities will directly be reflected in the laws governing the society. Most societies that are radical or extremist will have the laws that are against these individuals. Psychological characteristics of people who support violence against gender and sexual minorities Individuals who support this violence have been found to display other forms of violence against other people. Violence is part of their lives although they might be more aggressive when it comes to sexual gender and sexual minorities. According to McWhorter (2009) people who have been involved in extremist activities against sexual minorities tend to have a record of crime and violation in the past. Martin-Storey (2015) adds that continued exposure to violence and crime can easily impact on an individual’s general behaviour and make them violent too. In the case of Richard, he was reported to have violated a young man previously when he was a juvenile. The individuals also display instability in general emotions and temper. Their emotions fluctuate easily and they are unstable in making decisions. Decisions made are not informed or given a second thought. According to Merriam and Grace (2011) culprits of violence against sexual minorities can be said to be unstable and in an effort to find meaning to things around them, they end up into violence. Richard is seen to be very emotionally and psychologically unstable. He regrets his actions and cannot understand why he did the offence. We see him struggling in class and cannot get good grades. He writes letters to the victims and the parent trying to get pardoning and forgiveness for his actions. State of violence against gender and sexual minorities in America The rate of violence against gender and sexual minorities has drastically reduced in America over the past few decades. According to Sears (2015) most states have criminalized the violence unlike the case in the 19th century. Martin-Storey (2015) adds that most western countries including America have accepted and recognized the sexual minorities and have made their activities legal. Ghaziani (2008) says that homosexuality is no longer seen as a social offense with many people accepting them. This has consequently reduced violence against such groups. Amar (2013) says that new state laws are being put to accommodate sexual minorities unlike before where laws were put in place to punish them. The number of lobby groups and organizations fighting for the rights of the sexual minorities has increased. The effect of this is that the community has been enlightened on issues concerning them. According to Chu (2014) lobby groups have use different campaigns and initiatives to point out discrimination and abuse of the rights of the sexual minorities. This has led to many people understanding the difficulties faced by the sexual minorities making them acceptable to the society. Starhawk (2013) says that sexual minorities have come out in big numbers forming organizations and groups that prioritize on their interests. This has given them a say in the community. Martin-Storey (2015) adds that sexual minorities have found a place in the human rights bodies that fight for the rights as well as interest of all people regardless of their sexual orientation. Advancement and improvement in technology has also played a key role in curbing violence against sexual minorities. The use of social media ensures sharing of ideas that can be used to spearhead the interest of these sexual minorities. According to Fejes (2008) the technology has played a role in mobilizing and grouping of this minority group from all over the world giving them one voice. This has empowered them in that their grievances have now come in the light. Klein (2008) adds that the use of internet has helped people learn about the universal nature of the sexual minorities making them acceptable and changing the negative attitude of the society towards them. Factors that diminish violence against gender and sexual violence State laws are now being used as tools to fight violence against sexual minorities. Unlike before, the government is now protecting tall minorities. Martin-Storey (2015) says that all forms of violence have now been made illegal by state government against minorities. Religious and cultural organizations have accepted sexual minorities in their congregation and this has helped change the perception of the society against them. Dworkin and Pope (2012) say that the church has been against sexual minorities for a long time terming them as sinners. Things have changed me past years with some churches ordaining even homosexual reverends and priests. Hill (2006) says that enculturization of modern culture has played a key role in changing the societies that were once against homosexuality and transgender. Establishment of organizations and lobby groups has equally help represent the rights of the gender and sexual minorities. Even the less influential members of the minority group can now be protected by these groups. According to Martin-Storey (2015) the sexual minorities have for a long time been quiet for fear of opposition and intimidation in the society. Today there are official organizations that strictly fight for their rights. This has helped cub the society against violating their rights. The participation of the members of the minorities in the day to day activities of the society and also social activities and leadership has helped them be integrated into the society and little attention is given to their sexual preference or orientation. According to Poole (2011) people from sexual minorities can participate in politics and social activities of the society just like the rest of the members of the society. References Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Amar, P. (2013). The security archipelago; human-security states, sexuality politics, and the end of neoliberals Buck, S. (2010). Acting White: The ironic legacy of desegregation New Haven [Conn.: Yale University Press. Canaday, M. (2009) the Straight State: Sexuality and Citizenship in Twentieth-Century America. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Chu, J. (2014). Does Jesus really love me?: a gay Christians pilgrimage in search of god in America. 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