Discrimination Faced by the Gay and Lesbian Population - Essay Example

Discrimination faced by the gay and lesbian population Discrimination against the gay and lesbian population in the US has been an issue of concern for many years. Unlike gender, race, religion or ethnicity, sexual orientation is not enshrined in the current federal civil rights law as a protected characteristic. For this reason, the gay and lesbian population in the US has continued to face open discrimination. Often, these individuals face discrimination, hostility, and sometimes deadly violence - simply because of their homosexual orientation. The paper addresses the prejudice that exists against homosexuals in U.S. society as well as the discriminatory acts that they endure. It also makes a discussion of the scope of this issue in the US, as well as some of the current debates surrounding the gay and lesbian population. Finally, the paper generates ideas to decrease prejudice and combat discrimination for this population. Discrimination faced by the gay and lesbian population Over the years, the gay and lesbian population in the US has been on the increase. A study carried out in 2012 claims that more than one percent of the American adults are homosexual. In addition, there is twice as many homosexual youths. The gay and lesbian community is diverse and lives all over the United States. Same-sex couples can be found in 93% of all US counties and every state. Gay and lesbian people are partners, neighbors, coworkers, parents, and servicemen. Today more than a million gay and lesbian people are veterans. Those currently serving in the US military are estimated to be 71,000 (Taskforce et al., 2013). The acts of prejudice and discrimination faced by the gay and lesbian population in the US are as discussed below. 1. Partial and non-inclusive workplaces The gay and lesbian people in the US face pervasive discrimination in the workplace. The 2008 Social Survey by the Williams Institute revealed that one-in-four gay and lesbian employees reported having faced discrimination based on their sexual orientation in the past five years. Discrimination is perpetrated in the form of homophobic treatment and harassment in the workplace. Some employers, upon realization of the sexual orientation of the gay and lesbian employees, have been reported to have fired them (Levine & Leonard, 2014). In addition to these acts of discrimination, the facilities designed for employees such as health benefits exclude same-sex couples. The gay and lesbian people are forced to subscribe to such services in individual capacity and end up paying double the cost. The Survey further revealed that 8-17% of gay and lesbian people were not hired due to their sexual orientation. A further 10-28% was not promoted because they were gay or lesbian. 7-41% had their workplaces vandalized or were verbally or physically abused(Levine & Leonard, 2014). To curb this discrimination in workplaces, the federal and state governments should seek to enact legislation that requires all employers to treat the gay and lesbian employees as equal citizens with heterosexuals. Employee benefits should be equal for all, regardless of sexual orientation. Further, reported cases of assault and discrimination based on sexual orientation should be handled with the utmost fairness and justice offered to the gay and lesbian victims. 2. Discriminatory treatment by health professionals Research shows that gay men and lesbians have relatively less access to medical care than heterosexuals. A majority of gay and lesbian people have had an experience with homophobic health professionals. As a result of this, they are less motivated to seeking medical help and take longer before seeking help. Also, health professionals, mostly those in rural areas, have inadequate information about health issues affecting gay and lesbian people. The inadequacy leads to unfair treatment for the gay and lesbian population, based on their sexual orientation (Taskforce et al., 2013). Most health professionals claim that they offer equal treatment for all. What this means is that they treat everyone as heterosexual, which is discriminatory for gay and lesbian people. Even though, they do not require special medical treatment, gay and lesbian people ought to receive fair and appropriate treatment (Mays & Cochran, 2001). The equality can only be realized by the government making deliberate efforts to ensure that all health professionals are well informed about the health issues facing the gay and lesbian population. In addition, homophobic treatment by health professionals should be enshrined in the law as a social crime punishable by law. 3. Hate crimes The Oxford Dictionary Online defines a hate crime as an offense motivated by racial, sexual, or other prejudice, typically involving violence. In the United States, the third-highest category of hate crimes reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) constitutes hate crimes against gays and lesbians. While there is substantial legislation to deal with hate crimes, the increase in sexual orientation-related hate crimes reveals the inadequacy in the implementation of the law. The gay and lesbian population has continued to live with the fear of being victims of hate crime especially in regions where homosexuality is considered a social vice (PEOPLE, 2008). The primary solution to this problem lies in the attitude of the general public towards gay and lesbian people. Through the provision of information on gay and lesbian people to the society, the government can change this attitude and make the general public realize that gay and lesbian people are regular and equal to heterosexuals. The federal and state governments should launch a campaign to educate the general public on homosexuals. 4. Non-welcoming faith communities Many gay and lesbian people have experienced isolation and condemnation coming from faith communities. Moreover, yet for many gay and lesbian people, finding reassuring and supportive faith communities is essential and significant. Most religious denominations in the US do not offer explicit support for gay and lesbian people. Specifically, they neither practice nor support open ordination of gay and lesbian clergy members. In addition, they do not officiate weddings for same-sex couples and are opposed to gay and lesbian population equality with heterosexuals (Cochran, 2001). The campaign earlier mentioned would go a long way in changing this perception. 5. Discrimination in military and public service While gay and lesbian people can serve in the military, following the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in 2011, they are still not treated equally. For example, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) does not allow gay and lesbian individuals to access family houses. It also prohibits them from covering their spouses or partners under military medical care benefits. In addition, discrimination and stigma prevent openly gay and lesbian individuals from running for political offices or serving in the public service in some states of the US. The most recent case is of an openly gay prosecutor in Virginia who lost a confirmation vote to become a district judge, his qualification and recommendation by members of both parties notwithstanding. The discrimination explains why there has not been any openly gay or lesbian senator or cabinet secretary (Taskforce et al., 2013). To curb this discrimination, such draconian laws as DOMA ought to be repealed. 6. Discrimination in caring for a sick partner or child The affairs of gay and lesbian couples are not recognized by the federal government and most state governments. A gay or lesbian employee cannot, therefore, obtain protected leave from work to offer care for same-sex partner or spouse. Such a leave would not be backed by the Family and Medical Leave Act. As a result, many gay and lesbian employees have lost their jobs because of taking time off to care for their partners or spouses. In addition, gay and lesbian couples do not have the guarantee to make medical decisions for each other unlike heterosexual couples (Schmidt, Githens, Rocco, & Kormanik, 2012). Laws that recognize same-sex marriages as equal to heterosexual marriages would be the only solution to the discrimination. 7. Limited freedom to marry In most states, same-sex marriages are illegal. Same-sex couples in these states can neither legally marry nor enter into domestic partnerships or civil unions that offer some legal protections of marriage. In fact, many states have laws banning same-sex marriages or even recognition of any form of a homosexual relationship. These laws rob the same-sex couples of their ability to care for one another. They also portray their relationships as well as their families as irrelevant. The limitation constitutes a violation of the right to association. The denial of legal marriage for same-sex couples makes it impossible for gay and lesbian couples to raise children with both parents having legal recognition (Meyer, 2003). Even in cases where state law allows same-sex marriages, federal law does not recognize them because of DOMA. DOMA prohibits such couples from filing joint tax returns, receiving Social Security survivor benefits and having access to earned health insurance benefits (Balsam, Molina, Beadnell, Simoni, & Walters, 2011). Laws that recognize same-sex marriages as equal to heterosexual marriages would be the only solution to the discrimination. 8. Discrimination in child custody While there does not exist any scientific research linking gays and lesbians to pedophilia, most states in the US still hold that there is a high risk of child molestation by homosexual parents. In custody cases where a gay or lesbian parent is involved, the case is always decided because the child will be teased under the care of a gay or lesbian parent. The assumption is that the child will undergo stigma that would damage their self-esteem. The case becomes severe in situations where the children are of age and have developed preconceived notions about gay and lesbian parents. The assumption is a violation of justice and fairness in such cases since they are decided with a negative bias on the gay or lesbian parent. Gays and lesbians must be treated as equal to heterosexuals. Sexual orientation ought not to be a basis for deciding on custody cases (Schmidt et al., 2012). From the discussion, it is can be seen that the gay and lesbian population has over the years faced untold discrimination and violence in the hands of heterosexuals. The existing legislation has not only failed to stop this discrimination but is also discriminatory. It is compulsory for the federal government and the state governments to repeal such draconian laws and enact more legislation to curb this discrimination. Further, the view of the public about gay and lesbian people is misled. The government in conjunction with non-governmental agencies must educate the public concerning the equal rights of the gay and lesbian population. References Balsam, K. F., Molina, Y., Beadnell, B., Simoni, J., & Walters, K. (2011). Measuring multiple minority stress: the LGBT People of Color Microaggressions Scale. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 17(2), 163. Cochran, S. D. (2001). Emerging issues in research on lesbians’ and gay men’s mental health: Does sexual orientation really matter? American Psychologist, 56(11), 931. Levine, M. P., & Leonard, R. (1984). Discrimination against lesbians in the work force. Signs, 700–710. Mays, V. M., & Cochran, S. D. (2001). Mental health correlates of perceived discrimination among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults in the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 91(11), 1869–1876. Meyer, I. H. (2003). Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 129(5), 674. PEOPLE, G. (1988). Violence and discrimination against lesbian and gay people in Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/122918NCJRS.pdf Schmidt, S. W., Githens, R. P., Rocco, T. S., & Kormanik, M. B. (2012). Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgendered People and Human Resource Development An Examination of the Literature in Adult Education and Human Resource Development. Human Resource Development Review, 11(3), 326–348. Taskforce, A. L. C., Harper, A., Finnerty, P., Martinez, M., Brace, A., Crethar, H. C., … others. (2013). Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling Competencies for Counseling with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Ally Individuals: Approved by the ALGBTIC Board on June 22, 2012. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 7(1), 2–43. Read More