The LGBTs in America
The subject of sexual orientation and gender identity continues to evoke heated debates and discussions in the United States of America. The US is generally known as the land of the free and as thus, it is expected that all persons would be at liberty to live in this “free” country without undue harassment and discrimination. Sadly, this is not the case, at least not for the lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and the transgender (LGBT). The federal government seems to accord this group of individuals equal rights as the heterosexual persons. The main problem is encountered at the State level. Some states do not recognize the LGBTs. The essay that follows will explore how the LGBT has fared in the US and seek to analyse the social policies that support their existence.
The History of the LGBT in America
The existence of the LGBTs is not a new or current happening. This group of individuals has been in existence since the early 1920s. The very first society that championed for the rights of the gays was established in 1924 in the City of Chicago. About 24 years later, Alfred Kinsley published a book entitled “Sexual Behaviour in the Human Male”, created awareness to the public that homosexuality was more widespread that the public was willing to admit. Then in 1951, Harry Hay formed the Mattachine Society, which served as a national gay rights movement in the US. This Harry Hay is considered the founder of the gay rights movement in the US.
In 1955, the Daughters of Bilitis established the lesbian-rights movement in the city of San Francisco. The Daughters of Bilitis transformed their lesbian-movement into a nationwide association whose mandate was to champion for lesbian rights. The LGBT movement got a reprieve and a boost in 1962 when the State of Illinois became the first State in the US to decriminalize homosexual acts. Then in 1966, the National Transsexual Counselling Unit was established in San Francisco. Matches and activism ensues and in 1980, the Democrats give their support to gay rights. In 1982, the State of Wisconsin became the first State to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation. The year 1993 saw the establishment of the infamous “don’t ask don’t tell” policy by the Clinton administration. From 1993 to date, many States have not only outlawed sexual discrimination but also allowed the LGBTs to marry (Nguyen, 1999).
The Current State of Affairs
The history of the LGBTs has outlined the hardships that this group has endured all through. It closes on a positive note with States going to the extent of allowing same-sex marriages. It would therefore be expected that the current situation be better than that of the 1940s. However, this is not the case and in fact, the LGBTs of this age are facing more challenges than the LGBTs of old. The youth who belong to the LGBT group risk being bullied and harassed. Families and neighbourhoods are casting out their members that belong to the LGBT group (Fish, 2012)
The discriminations and harassment that the LGBT youths face has driven most of them to seclusion with some finding comfort in alcohol and drugs while the weak end up attempting suicide. It is apparently clear that the LGBTs are facing many challenges. There is therefore need for a social policy that will address their plight in a wholesome way. Certain social policy decisions and proposals have been proposed to safeguard the rights of the LGBTs. However, not all of these proposed social policies have been accepted by the masses. Following is a brief look at the social policies (Nguyen, 1999).
The current numbers of the LGBT is gradually increasing. This trend has been enabled by the rise in the number of social support groups that champion for the rights of the LGBTs. The strength of the LGBTs rests in the fact that they are united in their cause. There are many associations operating in cohort with one another However, most of the LGBTs have been viewed for a long time as a disability group. Some groups arose to oppose the LGBTs move for equal rights. Some States criminalized homosexuality and this contributed to rejections, harassments, and discriminations.
There have been numerous misconceptions flying around both in society and in media. Some claim that one can tell the sexual orientation of a person by looking at their conduct or mannerism. This assertion is wrong and unfounded. Some of the most popular myths include that LGBTs are condemned by all religions, and that transgender people suffer from some form of mental illness. These two myths have been widely accepted and used to justify the rejection, discrimination, and harassment that the LGBTs are often subjected to. Additionally, other myths such as those that claim that homosexuals are born as they are serve to illicit the acceptance of the LGBT among his or her peers and family (Fish, 2012).
LGBTs have been portrayed in media in both positive and negative senses. Various TV programs and movies have characters that are from the LGBT group. These characters were previously being shown in bad light, but recently the media has decided to show them in good light. Certain advertising companies are not comfortable sponsoring programs and shows that tend to promote homosexuality. President Obama’s public admission that he supported gay marriages helped to promote the LGBTs in good light. Some section of the media, especially the free media like the internet, still record high incidences of stereotypes and hate crimes is still in existence (Cahill, & Tobias, 2006).
Part 2: Social Policy
Social Policies for the Rights of the LGBTs
The LGBTs face different challenges in virtually all stages of life. The moment a homosexual individual comes out of the closet, he or she stands to either gain acceptance or receive condemnation and rejection. LGBTs face challenges that include discrimination and access to services, financial and family, social isolation, housing, and care giving, lifelong learning etc (Fish, 2012). The youths face hate crimes and other forms of discriminations because of their sexual orientation. The problems and challenges faced by LGBTs become exacerbated with age, that is to say, the occurrence of these abuses is more intense among the elderly LGBTs.
There is a sharp lack of LGBT-specific services in America. The social service department has failed to offer services needed by the LGBTs. Some social centres deny access to any known LGBT. Most social service providers lack the training and expertise needed to handle the problems and issues presented by their LGBT clients. A social worker needs to be culturally competent so that he or she can create forge and foster a positive working relationship with the client (Cahill, & Tobias, 2006).
The problems and challenges faced by the LGBTs can be addressed by following some of these policy proposals:
- Institute interventions at the macro, mezzo, and micro levels; these interventions will help in addressing discriminations and provide funding to cater for the needs of the LGBTs. Presently, there are many States that have passed legislation that prohibits the discrimination of persons based on their sexual orientation. Additionally, some States have also provided funding for LGBT-specific services. However, more still needs to be done to eradicate homophobic tendencies among the Americans.
- The rampant violence that is meted on LGBTs can be reduced by the States enforcing laws against discrimination. Criminalizing discrimination will serve to dissuade those who are homophobic from violating the rights of the LGBTs.
- To address the financial and family related challenges, the States ought to design programs that will educate the families and communities on the need to tolerate their neighbours’ differences and diversity. Laws and policies should be enacted to allow for gay marriages within the States.
I support these policies because they will ensure that the LGBTs receive fair treatment and this will in turn promote both social and economic justice in the United States of America.
Part 3: The Letter
Grier Destinie (Grierdd)
C/o University of Cincinnati
[Insert Email:]
Date: 20th November 2013.
To
Ms. Alicia Reece
State Representative
33rd House District C., Ohio
Dear Madam,
Re: Support for Gay Marriages
The purpose of this email is to inform you on how I feel about the rights of gay people to marry.
The American civil Rights movement to me was set in place to get rid of segregation and discrimination of all kinds. To me the gay community is being discriminated against because of their belief in homosexism. The civil rights movement was put in place to put an end to all discriminations against Americans, same sex marriages included. Neither does the civil rights movement not the American Constitution illegalizes gay marriages. In fact, the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution safeguards civil liberties that contribute to both economic and social equality and justice. I believe that Americans should be able to marry whomever they want to, when even they want to. This includes same sex marriage. We are sending this email to find out if there is anything we can do as individuals to support gay rights in our State. Plus I thought it would be great if you can make an awareness for gay marriage on your next platform.
Sincerely,
Destinie Grier & Tara Hill
We are in the bachelors program in the school of social work at the University of Cincinnati.
References
Cahill, S., & Tobias, S. (2006). Policy issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender families. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
Fish, J. (2012). Social work with lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people: Making a difference. Bristol: Policy Press.
Nguyen, M. (1999). Civil Rights: The history of gay rights. Retrieved from Enderminh.com: http://www.enderminh.com/minh/civilrights.aspx
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