LGBTQ Issues

How can society help increase awareness around LGBTQ issues?

Taheerah Oglesby
Ms. Hawkins
4/20/15

ABSTRACT

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The following will inform those about the issues around the LGBTQ community. Also how
society can help raise awareness. Information will include possible and enacted solutions for
those problems stated.

In todays society, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and queer or questioning

(LGBTQ) people suffer from many issues in society; those matters can range from
discrimination to religious issues. Many teenagers who experience these problems commit
suicide as a result because they either cannot face their fears, or deal with the bullying and
humiliation others put them through. The statistics for the amount of LGBTs in the world will

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always change because there are many people who are afraid to come out because they may be
rejected, discriminated against, bullied, accused of having psychological issues, or become
victims of hate crimes. Although LGBT teens are experiencing these issues, discrimination, hate
crimes, bullying, and rejection can be prevented with the help of raising awareness in society.
For those who may not know LGBTQ is an abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, queer or questioning. Lesbians, are females that are homosexual; they are
categorized as either: femme, butch, dyke, stud, or stem. Each name means something different,
but some lesbians do not like to be classified as one of those types of homosexuals. The term
gay is the adjective version of homosexual, which means; a person who is sexually attracted to
someone of the same sex. A bisexual is a person that is sexually attracted to both females and
males. Transgenders are people that are born male or female, which then go through the process
of changing their bodies through surgery to be the opposite sex. Queers are homosexual men,
and questioning is those who are going through identity crisis, and are not sure what they are.
Being homosexual comes with many obstacles like: being attacked by those who are
religious. People believe that homosexuals are what they are because they are sex-crazed or
because they want to rebel against their parents. People also believe that homosexuals are
automatically attracted to them. Friendships could possibly change for instance, if someone came
out to their friends, then their friends begin to act differently because they believe that, that
person is attracted to them. This would also be an obstacle, friends should be there no matter the
circumstances especially when no one else is. Also homosexuals, are bullied, verbally,
emotionally, and physically.
There are very little advantages with being homosexaul, which would be the fact that all
homosexuals understand and accept each other, simply because they are aware that all

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homosexuals go through many different issues with society. Another pro would be that
homosexuals have a day dedicated to them which is called Gay Pride, this event takes place in
one area of the city, and it is not only for the gays, but also for their supporters.

Problem
On a webpage by Bullying Statistics, it was stated that In a 2005 survey about gay
bullying statistics, teens reported that the number two reason they are bullied is because of their
actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender expression (n.d.). It was also stated that,
According to recent gay bullying statistics, gay and lesbian teens are two to three times as more
likely to commit teen suicide than other youths. [...] Students who also fall into the gay,
bisexual, lesbian or transgendered identity groups report being five times as more likely to miss
school because they feel unsafe after being bullied due to their sexual orientation (n.d.). This
indicates that not only are homosexuals bullied, they suffer from education lost because they are
afraid, and do not feel wanted nor safe in school by anyone.

Solution
Studies show that there are several ways that a person can notice when their LGBT child
is getting bullied in school. A child will show many signs that he/she is afraid to go to school.
In most cases the child will skip school or ask a parent to stay home. As a result, the childs
grades will drop tremendously; a child can be excellent in school one week, then their grades
will decline the next week. The website Bullying statistics stated that it is important for teens
to report incidents they are victims of, or even if they witness a bullying event take place. Even
if it seems that the adults will be unresponsive to take action, there are always other members
of the school board or administration that can be addressed. It is important not to give up or the

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bullying cycle will continue(n.d.), which indicates that if someone is getting bullied; they are
to tell someone, even if its the janitor.

Problem
Many people believe that those who are in the LGBT community ,suffer from
psychological issues and that being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender is a choice. Studies
shows that those who are LGBT are born homosexual. In this article, the American
Psychological Association stated that The widespread prejudice, discrimination, and violence
to which lesbians and gay men are often subjected are significant mental health concerns.
Sexual prejudice, sexual orientation discrimination and [anti-gay] violence are major sources of
stress for lesbian, gay and bisexual people. Although social support is crucial in coping with
stress, antigay attitudes and discrimination may make it difficult for lesbian, gay and bisexual
people to find such support (n.d.). This indicates that homosexuals can suffer from
psychological issues after they come out, only because of the sexual orientation discrimination
and violence they go through with society.

Solution
The American Psychological Association also stated that Research has found no
inherent association between any of these sexual orientations and psychopathology. Both
heterosexual behavior and homosexual behavior are normal aspects of human sexuality. Both
have been documented in many different cultures and historical eras. [...] Lesbian, gay and
bisexual relationships are normal forms of human bonding. Therefore, these mainstream
organizations long ago abandoned classifications of homosexuality as a mental disorder (n.d.),

Which shows proof that those in the LGBTQ community are born homosexual.

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Problem
Those who are apart of the LGBTQ community are very so often rejected by those who
are religious, in the article Homosexuality and Religion by the UCSB it was stated that
Rejectionism is held mainly by Judeo-Christian denominations that embrace a more
fundamental, Biblical interpretation of sexuality. [...] Love the sinner, hate the sin holds that
LGBT people should be regarded with equal amount of respect; however, homosexual behaviors
are not tolerated. This modified rejectionism perspective accepts that sexuality cannot be
changed but states that one can only be obedient to a higher power as long as they abstain from
homoerotic activities (n.d.), which indicates that homosexuals are not allowed to show

that they are apart of the LGBTQ community.

Solution
Acceptance has to also take place in churches, this article also stated that, The full
acceptance approach believes that queer people are entitled to all civil and social rights as do
their heterosexual counterparts. Quakers have a long-standing tradition of accepting both
homosexuals as a person and a behavior, while the Episcopalian Church has recently made a
move towards this ideology(n.d.), which indicates that this is a start of a new path for religious
people accepting the LGBTQ community.

Problem
Everyone experiences discrimination, but those in the LGBTQ community experience it
more often than others. They experience it not only in the clothing stores, but also in markets,
shops, and mostly in the workplace. In the article Discrimination Against Homosexuals and
Bisexuals by The Unitarian Universalist Association, it was stated that Homosexuality has

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been the target of severe discrimination by society and in particular by the police and other
arms of government (2011). This show that people are aware of the mistreatment and
discrimination against the LGBT community, in order for it to discontinue, people will have to
take action to show that everyone is equal.

Solution
The article Discrimination Against Homosexuals and Bisexuals by The Unitarian
Universalist Association also states that, a person's sexual orientation or practice shall not be a
factor in the granting or renewing of federal security clearance, visas, and the granting of
citizenship or employment; calls upon the UUA and its member churches, fellowships, and
organizations immediately to end all discrimination against homosexuals in employment
practices, expending special effort to assist homosexuals to find employment in our midst
consistent with their abilities and desires(2011). Therefore, with this solution the
discrimination statistics in workplaces will decrease. Society will need to work together to help
decrease discrimination outside of the workplaces, specifically in the communities and schools.

Problem
The LGBT youth does not only experience harassment and discrimination on the streets,
it happens in their homes also. Once a LGBTQ person what their sexual preference is, they first
tell the person they trust the most. Most are afraid to tell parents because they believe they will
not be accepted for who they are, especially gay males; they are mainly afraid of what their
fathers may say or do. In this article, statistics shows that Half of gay males experience a
negative parental reaction when they come out and in 26% of those cases the youth was thrown
out of the home (n.d.). Because of the issues that people have with the LGBT youth they are

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less likely to be put in a foster home, studies also show that between 25% and 50% of homeless
youth are LGBT and on the streets because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBT
are overrepresented in foster care, juvenile detention, and among homeless youth(n.d.). This

indicates that majority of the LGBTQ population is homeless because of being put out of
their homes.
Solution
If some LGBTQ youth are lucky enough to have somewhere to go after they leave their
homes, or get kicked out they tend to jump from a friends house to a family members house until
they end up on the streets. On the webpage titled LGBTQ Youth Homelessness In Focus by the
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, it was stated that There is more we can
and should do to help these young people to safety. Opening Doors: the Federal Strategic Plan
to Prevent and End Homelessness sets the goal of ending youth homelessness by 2020 (n.d.).
This shows that the government is working toward change in the communities, they noticed the
problem and are working toward complete correction by the year of 2020.

Problem
Students spend most of their time at school, doing work a extracurricular activities; they
also are there because their future basically depend on it. For these reasons it is very important
for students to feel emotionally, physically, and socially safe at school. But schools and
administrators are focusing on other school issues, rather than the safety of those students who in
which are being bullied because of their sexuality.

Solution

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Because of students being bullied, then committing suicide because they are
unable to emotionally deal with the abuse, the Philadelphia School District enacted a
policy called The Bullying Prevention Policy which states, The SRC encourages
students or parents/guardians of students who have been bullied or witness bullying to
immediately report such incidents to the school principal or designee, or to any other
member of the school staff [...]. Any staff member who receives such a report shall
immediately notify the principal or designee of same (2013), this shows that the school
district decided to take a stand against bullying in and around schools.
Problem
There is a variety of people that do not approve of gay marriage. Statistics shows that
whites, young people, and women are the folks that approve of gay marriage; rather than blacks,
men, and old people (Journal of Marriage and Family, 2008). This fact shows that many older
people are already stuck in their ways and it will take more tochange their perspectives on this
topic.

Solution
As a result of majority of the states wanted gay marriage to be legalized, same-sex
marriage became legal in 37 different states. (37 states with Legal Gay Marriage and 13 States
with Same-Sex Marriage bans, n.d.). Those States include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California,
Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada,
New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina,
Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and more.

Problem

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On the webpage LGBT Rights by the American Civil Liberties Union, they stated that,
LGBT rights strategy is based on the belief that fighting for the society we want means not just
persuading judges and government officials, but ultimately changing the way society thinks
about LGBT people (n.d.), which explains how they are also taking action to get in contact with
the government to raise awareness of these issues.

Solution
The government can also implement rules so that the member of the LGBT community
can feel safe, in school, outside of schools, and in their homes. The government can strengthen
the discrimination , and hate crime laws in the country. This union specifically founded
organizations specifically to raise awareness, minimize, and hopefully get rid of discrimination
and abuse. The article LGBT Rights by the American Civil Liberties Union stated, To end
discrimination, the ACLU seeks both to change the law and to convince Americans that sexual
orientation and gender identity discrimination is wrong. The ACLU carries out this work in five
priority areas: Basic Rights and Liberties, Parenting, Relationships and Marriage, Youth and
Schools, and Transgender Discrimination(n.d.), which indicates that society is working

towards making this enormous change.

Members of the LGBTQ community go through many issues like, discrimination, not
being accepted, hate crimes, homelessness, abuse, domestic violence and many more. In order
for statistics to decrease, changes are being made starting with schools, teachers and
administrators. Society can help increase awareness around LGBT issues by alerting someone
when they see hate-crimes taking place, and amendment rights being broken in the community,
also getting involved with their childrens lives, and accept their LGBTQ child for who they are.

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Bibliography
(2013, August 22). Retrieved April 20, 2015, from
http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/a/attendance--truancy/bullying-prevention/bullyingprevention-policy-and-procedures
37 states with Legal Gay Marriage and 13 States with Same-Sex Marriage Bans - Gay
Marriage - ProCon.org. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2015, from
http://gaymarriage.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=004857
Discrimination Against Homosexuals and Bisexuals. (2011, August 24). Retrieved March 11,
2015, from
http://www.uua.org/statements/discrimination-against-homosexuals-and-bisexuals
Gay Bullying Statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 11, 2015, from
http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/gay-bullying-statistics.html
Homosexuality and Religion | SexInfo Online. (n.d.). Retrieved March 11, 2015, from
http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/sexinfo/article/homosexuality-and-religion
LGBT Youth. (2014, November 12). Retrieved March 11, 2015, from
http://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth.htm
LGBT Rights. (n.d.). Retrieved March 11, 2015, from
https://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights
Sexual Orientation. (n.d.). Retrieved March 11, 2015, from

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http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/sexual-orientation.aspx

Statistics You Should Know About Gay & Transgender Students - PFLAG NYC. (n.d.).
Retrieved March 11, 2015, from
http://www.pflagnyc.org/safeschools/statistics
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. (n.d.). Retrieved March 11, 2015, from
http://usich.gov/issue/lgbt_youth/lgbtq_youth_homelessness_in_focus/