Gay and Lesbian Discrimination and Inequality - Research Paper Example

Gay and Lesbian Discrimination and Inequality Introduction In Arizona adopted a controversial bill, called the Arizona SB 1062, which would give right to any legal or individual business entity to refuse service to lesbian and gay people if it violated their religious practice or beliefs (Sanchez and Marquez). In Russia, just prior to Sochi 2014 Olympics, the Russian MP Alexander Mikhailav in Siberia insisted on sanctioning the new law that would allow the LGBT (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgender) people to be whipped in public for their “unnatural anti-social behavior” ( Milligan). Gay marriages are approved in most of the developed countries; on the contrary, through discriminating laws and typical anti-gay stereotypes in the society, the LGBT community is constantly suffering from widespread discrimination, inequality, and oppression. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the issue of inequality and discrimination of LGBT community in today’s society. By means of various researches and available reports, the paper analyzes the approach of various sectors such as, businesses, government, and NGOs (non-governmental organizations) to this social issue and its impact on these sectors and overall LGBT community. Further, the paper recommends some potential solutions to tackle the issue on an individual, business, and state level. 2. LGBT Discrimination and Inequality: Major Social Issue Equality is inseparably associated with the social phenomenon known as, “discrimination.” In the simple form, discrimination takes place whenever synergy among individuals is influenced by their identity or differences. According to the discrimination theory, sorting people on the basis of similarities and differences is natural human response to the massive diversity of human history, culture, social and ethnic background. The theory states that even though law plays a crucial role in deterring the discrimination practice in the society, in many cases, state policies and legislation systems are highly influenced by the established cultural or religious norms, triggering discrimination against particular individual or whole community (Arriola 108-110). Similar is the case with homosexual discrimination and inequality. Homosexuality is widely characterized as “unnatural” or contradictory to the traditional sexual norms of a heterosexually-dominant society. Therefore, even in the modern society, the dilemma of characterizing homosexuality as “normal” or “abnormal” remains at the core of social and political debates (Arriola 108-109). As explained by cultural theorist Joffrey Weeks, as long as homosexuality is considered as the violation of standard sexual norms of heterosexual society, gays and lesbians will be considered “different” and suffer from constant discrimination and inequality (Arriola 118). According to the first article of the Universal Declaration of Humans Rights, each individual is born free and entitled to equal rights and dignity. All humans, including lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people, are equally protected under international human rights laws such as, basic right to life, the right to be protected from random arrest, abuse, torture and detention, freedom of expression, the right to be free from inequality and discrimination, and security of privacy and life (Human Rights Council 4). The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action emphasizes that regardless of own religious, cultural, and historical backgrounds, each state has a fundamental duty of promoting and protecting all human rights and freedom of its citizens (Human Rights Council 4-6). Despite it, deeply-integrated homophobia in combination with the inadequate legal protection to gays and lesbians against discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation expose this minority community to outrageous human rights abuse and oppression all over the world. Homosexuals are discriminated against in schools, in the workplace, in hospitals, in government and private sectors, and disowned or mistreated even by their own families. The number of physical attacks, including torture, abuse, sexual harassment, and murders, against the homosexual community is increasing day by day (United Nations Council). In other words, homosexuals are more or less suffering from discrimination and inequality in all over the world and it is one of the most prominent social issues in today’s society (United Nations Council). 3. Society’s Approach to the Issue 3.1 Government and Common People LGBT community’s basic human rights are widely violated or denied in many countries in the world. Basically, the legal status of Homosexual people is mainly depended on the nationality factor. On one hand, there are countries, like Netherland, Germany, France where homosexuals have the equal rights as heterosexuals; on the other hand, there are countries, like Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iran, Sudan, and Mauritania where homosexuality is punished with the capital punishment (Rodgers et al.). Prior to the French Revolution in the late 1780s, homosexuality was criminalized in almost 126 countries. The trend of decriminalization of homosexuality was at its peak in the 1970s. But, in recent years, some states are following opposite route by criminalizing homosexuality, implementing new anti-gay laws and further strengthening current punishments for practicing homosexuality. For instance, in 2013, India revised its decriminalized laws about homosexuality and criminalized all types of homosexual relations and marriages (Rodgers et al.). However, the categorization of states based on their approach towards homosexuality is not flawless. Many countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America have contradictory laws about homosexuality as some of their laws protect human rights of homosexuals while other laws trigger discrimination and inequality by punishing or penalizing homosexuals (Rodgers et al.). Recently, South Korea adopted new education guidelines which had excluded any mention on sexual minorities or homosexuality in the state education curriculum. According to the 2015 Human Rights Watch report, exclusion of LGBT and homosexuality from the curriculum conveys a negative, intolerant, and homophobic message to the South Korean youth and violates fundamental rights to education, information, and health (“South Korea”). Besides state governments, homosexuals are regularly discriminated or ill-treated by common people. Due to vast dominance of heterosexual sexual norm and typical stereotypes about homosexuals, gays and lesbians are often considered mentally ill or threat to the society. Even in Europe (a continent which is considered to be liberal in terms of homosexuality), gays and lesbians are widely discriminated. The 2011 study of Council of Europe found that countries like, Denmark, Netherland, and Sweden registered lowest rate (around 10%) of disagreement among general population concerning the right of homosexuals to freely live their own life as they want. However, respondents from majority of Eastern European countries like, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey gave the highest rate of disapproval (almost 75%) to the rights of gay people (Council of Europe 25-28). 3.2 Businesses and Workplace Compare to governments and general population, majority of big corporate sectors and businesses in the world have adopted liberal policies towards homosexuality in order to avoid any controversy that would affect their brand and business negatively. Today, many big brands and businesses implement target marketing strategy considering growing diversity in metropolitan cities and developed countries. In recent years, media and marketing sectors have started to target the GLBT community as the “Dream Market”, considering massive potential revenues through commercial interest in the community (Baxter 125-127). The purchasing capacity of the GLBT community is estimated to be over $650 billion, just in the US. For instance, Saburu and Saturn, a well-known automotive company, began actively marketing to homosexuals in the late 1990s. Also, alcohol, tobacco, and tourism-related companies have been targeting the homosexual community since last 10 years (Baxter 125-126). There are many big companies which are openly supporting gays and lesbians. For instance, Macy’s, Whole Foods, and Coca Cola sponsored recent New York City Pride Parade while Kraft launched its new rainbow-cream Oreo biscuits. However, there are companies and businesses which are openly opposing homosexuality. For example, in 2010, Chick-Fil-A sponsored almost $2.5 million to anti-gay campaigns. Walmart, one of the biggest retail brands in the US, has been accused for supporting religious groups that are known for their anti-gay programs and campaigns (Schlanger and Sprung). Such anti-gay companies often escape from any type of punishment due to ineffective or absence of anti-discrimination laws and policies on a local and state level. Recent, the Arizona SB 1062 is a great example of it. The bill has indirectly provided legal support to anti-gay companies and business entities by allowing them to deny services to homosexuals on the basis of religious beliefs, triggering further discrimination and abuse against homosexual community in the US (Sanchez and Marquez). Also, the LGBT community faces immense discrimination and inequality in workplace and employment. Even in the United States, only 22 states have laws against discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation. According to the report of the Movement Advancement Project (MAP), the LGBT employees were reported having 90,000$ less income compare to their non-LGBT counterparts due to discriminatory company policies in promotion, increment, and job postings (MAP et al. 2-4). According to the survey of the Williams Institute, 15% to 44% of gays and lesbians have experienced some type of harassment and discrimination at their workplace. Despite being eligible, 10% to 20% homosexuals were denied high-ranking posts due to their sexual orientation. The study further found that more than 40% of homosexual respondents were victims of physical or verbal abuse at workplace (Burns and Krehely). 3.3 NGOs There are numerous non-profit local and international NGOs, like Human Rights Watch and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), which are constantly working to protect the rights of the homosexual minority community and fight against the discrimination and ill-treatment to homosexuals. The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) is one of the well-known international non-governmental organization dedicated to protect fundamental human rights of people who suffer discrimination and inequality on the basis of their perceived or actual sexual orientation. The organization is actively working in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle-East which have radical anti-homosexuality cultures (“Our Issues”). The organization’s Africa Program is designed to end human rights abuse and violence against homosexual community in Africa. The organization has also actively participated in protest against homophobic remarks of the leading political party, the Grand National Party, in South Korea. Besides, the organization is involved in emergency responses to random detention or execution of homosexuals in Iraq and Iran (“Our Issues”). Overall, numerous such NGOs are playing a vital role in fight against gay and lesbian discrimination and inequality on a local and global level. 4. Impact of the Issue on the LGBT Community Personal and institutional hostility towards homosexuals is a bitter reality in majority of countries in the world. Through anti-gay legislation and policies, homosexuality is further stigmatized on a cultural level. Aftermath is the strengthening of typical stereotypes and negative attitude towards homosexuals in the society, triggering discrimination, violence, abuse, and intolerant attitude against gays and lesbians (Gonsiorek and Weinrich 60-63). Inequality and discrimination faced by homosexuals in the US is significantly high, and the social movements to deter such discriminatory acts have been acknowledged by most of the modern theorist studying queer theory. The widespread discrimination, violence, hate crimes, harassment, oppression, and immense heterosexist hatred against gays and lesbians is widely proved in the research literature, like Pierce 2001, Robow and Evatt 2002, Irvin 2002, Herek 2002 etc. (Blackwell et al. 28). Constant oppression and discrimination of homosexuals eventually triggered the modern gay rights movement. According to the queer theory researchers, the Stonewall riots in 1969 marked the beginning of the modern gay right movements. As stated by Martin Dubarman in his book Stonewall, on 28 June, 1969, when police carried out regular raid on the bar, the crowd opposed and fought back. In the history, it was the first time, gays and lesbians stood against anti-gay culture in the society, triggering the rise of gay right movements all over the world (Blackwell et al. 28-30). Despite the widespread nature of the gay rights movements and NGOs who are actively working to protect the rights of homosexuals, this minority community is widely suffering from immense hate crimes, discrimination and physical and psychological torture, affecting their overall health. The Oregon Health Survey in 2008 found that among 32000 homosexuals from 34 countries, almost 90% of respondents were suffering from depression, drug abuse, or physical abuse due to constant torture and discriminatory treatment at workplace, school, or living surroundings. The study found that homosexuals are 22% more likely to develop suicidal behavior compare to their heterosexual counterparts (Hatzenbuehler 896-902). Also, another study concerning the health of homosexuals found that due to the social fear and secretive nature of most of the homosexual relations, couples are more prone to sexual diseases, like HIV, AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) ( Huebner et al. 1200-1203). 5. Potential Solutions Education is the key in combating discrimination and inequality against the homosexual community. Various researchers, like Glover 1990, Allaway 1996, Robinson 2000, and McNaughton 2000, have supported the importance of introducing cultural diversity in early childhood education (Robinson 415-417). The researchers emphasized that children should be encouraged to interact with others, especially through games, in order to develop their understanding and knowledge about other cultures. In this context, through systematic sex education, typical stereotypes and stigmatization of homosexuality can be prevented. Interaction and proper education can help the young generation to handle homosexuality maturely and encourage them to treat homosexuals equally (Robinson 415-420). Similarly, by means of media and advertisement, government can promote awareness about homosexuality and suffering of homosexuals due to discrimination and ill-treatment in the society. It is necessary for the NGOs, governments, business entities, and even common citizens to work together against negative attitude of society towards gays and lesbians. International organizations and global powers should pressure states with anti-gay legislations to revise their policies and promote harmony and equality in the society. 6. Conclusion Discrimination and inequality against gays and lesbians is one of the most critical social issues in today’s world. Despite some developments through law reformation and efforts of active gay rights movements in the developed countries, homosexuals still suffer from massive discrimination, violence, abuse, and oppression in most parts of the world. Various researches and reports have highlighted the negative impact of such discrimination on the minorities’ overall health and life. Maltreatment and discrimination against homosexuals is the violation of fundamental human rights and international treaties about human rights. In order to develop healthy and unbiased society, it is necessary for state governments, businesses, NGOs, and common people to unite in global fight against discrimination towards homosexuals. Works Cited Arriola, Elvia R. “Gendered Inequality: Lesbians, Gays, and Feminist Legal Theory.” Berkeley Journal of Gender, Law & Justice 9.1 (2013): 103-143. Web. 14 June 2015. Baxter, Susan. “Evidence on the marketing approaches targeting gay and lesbian consumers.” Global Journal of Business Research 4.2 (2010): 125-139. Web. 14 June 2015. Blackwell, Christopher W., Janice L. Ricks, and Sophia F. Dziegielewski. “Discrimination of Gays and Lesbians: A Social Justice Perspective.” Journal of Health & Social Policy 19.4 (2004): 27-43. Web. 14 June 2015. Burns, Crosby and Jeff Krehely. “Gay and Transgender People Face High Rates of Workplace Discrimination and Harassment.” Center for American Progress, 2 June 2011. Web. 14 June 2015. Council of Europe. “Discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity in Europe.” www.coe.int, 1-42, 2011. Web. 14 June 2015. Gonsiorek, John C, and James D. Weinrich. Homosexuality: Research implications for public policy (1991): 60-80. Newbury Park, CA: Sage. Print. Hatzenbuehler, Mark L. “The Social Environment and Suicide Attempts in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth.” Pediatrics 127.5 (2011): 896–903. Web. 14 June 2015. Huebner, David M., Gregory M. Rebchook, and Susan M. Kegeles. “Experiences of Harassment, Discrimination, and Physical Violence among Young Gay and Bisexual Men.” American Journal of Public Health 94.7 (2004): 1200–1203. Web. 14 June 2015. Human Rights Council. “Discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.” United Nations General Assembly, 17 November 2011. Web. 14 June 2015. MAP, Human Rights Campaign, Freedom to Work, and Center for American Progress. A “Broken Bargain: Unchecked Discrimination against LGBT Workers.” www.lgbtmap.org, 1-8, 2014. Web. 14 June 2015. Milligan, Paul. “Siberian MPs to vote on law that would allow gays to be publicly flogged by Cossacks for their ‘disgrace’.” dailymail, 21 June 2013. Web. 14 June 2015. “Our Issues.” International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHR), 2015. Web. 14 June 2015. Robinson, Kerry H. “Making the Invisible Visible: gay and lesbian issues in early childhood education.” Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood 3.3 (2002): 415-432. Web. 14 June 2015. Rodgers, Lucy, Pablo Gutierrez Martin, Martyn Rees and Steven Connor. “Where is it illegal to be gay?” BBC, 10 February 2014. Web. 14 June 2015. Sanchez, Ray and Miguel Marquez. “Arizona lawmakers pass controversial anti-gay bill.” CNN, 22 February 2014. Web. 14 June 2015. Schlanger, Danielle and Shlomo Sprung. “These Corporations Have All Been Accused Of Hating Gays.” Business Insider, 5 July 2012. Web. 14 June 2015. “South Korea: Amend Sex Education Guidelines.” Human Rights Watch, 3 May 2015. Web. 14 June 2015. United Nations Council. “Combating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.” United Nations Human Rights, 2015. Web. 14 June 2015. Read More