Debates Surrounding the Issue of LGBT Rights
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Debates Surrounding the Issue of LGBT Rights
People all around the world often face discrimination, violence, and unequal treatment because of their characteristics, their looks, or who they are. One such form of discrimination is usually perpetuated, along with the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity (Human Rights Watch, 2018). People who fail to identify with the traditional labels of a male, woman, or fail to follow the order of male and female marriage fall under the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) group. This has been a hotly contested issue attracting divergent opinions from stakeholders from multiple domains.
The term LGBT has been used to reflect on the diversity of sexual and gender identities. It usually refers to non-heterosexual people, including those who are questioning their gender identity. Proponents of LGBT rights gained respect in the mainstream in the 1990s (Stonewall, 2016). Following subsequent lobbying and campaigning for inclusion, the LGBT movement has registered huge progress, especially in the last two decades. Legislations prohibiting the discrimination of individuals based on sexual orientation have allowed LGBT to openly work in the military and other public areas (Human Rights Watch, 2018). In several states, same-sex couples are allowed to wed and adopt children. In the apparently equal society, however, facts reveal that homosexuals continue facing turmoil in society. There is evidence suggesting that at least 13 percent of these have experienced a form of discrimination and unequal treatment in public places such as health care due to their sexual orientation (Stonewall, 2016). Of these, approximately two in seven homosexuals have been subjected to discriminatory remarks by health care staff. In society, around 46 percent of LGBT people report being unable to openly say their sexual orientation to everyone in their families (Stonewall, 2016). This then justifies the anxiety and depression registered to the sexual minorities. Notably, members of ethnic minorities such as black Asians are twice likely to experience double minority discrimination. From these facts, it is evident that although the LGBT rights are stressed, they are poorly embraced in society.
The issue of LGBT rights has attracted various opinions from a wide array of stakeholders. The debate on the acceptance of LGBT rights has been based on the premise of the morality of the issue. Although there has been an increase in acceptance of homosexuals in society, democrats are still leading in the debate that LGBT rights should be integrated into the society ahead of the republicans. Age is one of the determinant factors in whether a person is in favor of or against LGBT rights. In the United States, those aged between 18 to 19 has a high possibility of accepting LGBT rights,83% as compared to 65% of those aged between 30 and 49 while those who are 65 years and older yield the lowest support 65% (Pew Research Center – U.S. Politics & Policy, 2017). Additionally, the support of the debate varies among people with different levels of education. While those with little or no college education posit a 64% possibility of accepting LGBT rights, a postgraduate is more likely to support LGBT rights (Pew Research Center – U.S. Politics & Policy, 2017).
One of the major arguments for LGBT rights is the move towards equality. Proponents of LGBT rights argue that equal rights provisioned by the constitution must mean equal rights. Gay and heterosexual couples are therefore entitled to equal rights in all domains, which will beat the existing homophobia on social equality. On the other hand, religious groups view LGBT rights as undermining religious views held by many people (Stonewall, 2016). This is in line with most conservative social beliefs from groups such as African Americans, Hispanics, Asians as well as conservative religions such as Islam. Most religious leaders have all spoken out against LGBT rights since this counters the sacred writings, while others have carefully abstained from commenting on the controversial topics.
The opposing viewpoints are significantly informed by political and cultural beliefs held by society. Although LGBT rights have been embraced in large part of the occidental world, the sexual minorities in areas such as Europe and India continue facing discrimination. The political beliefs in these areas are largely conservative and may, therefore, show more negative opinions against sexual minorities (Stonewall, 2016). Passive political influence may promote disgust among people and thus scanty support for the policy in such regions. In the USA, for instance, the federal law does not explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, which denies LGBT people a recourse once they face any form of prejudice (Pew Research Center – U.S. Politics & Policy, 2017). However, in states such as Houston, where a lesbian mayor has been elected continuously, LGBT rights are protected. On the other hand, there exist disparities in how a culture views homosexual rights, based on the marriage institution. Furthermore, conservative cultures argue that embracement of LGBT rights denies marriage the central role in procreation. Marriage is traditionally considered a man and woman institution (Pew Research Center – U.S. Politics & Policy, 2017). In French, for example, critics argue that LGBT rights would remove the terms mother and father. This inline with religious critics who contend that the promotion of LGBT rights would erode society’s morality.
I have been socialized in a conservative culture that views marriage as a sacred institution formed through a mutual agreement between a man and a woman. Equality is embraced in this institution, as well as in society. Throughout my upbringing, I have been socialized on straight sexual orientation, maintaining male or female traits, and marrying the opposite gender. Religion has also shaped my belief that marriage is for procreation, and thus, the man and woman marriage institution is the acceptable marriage. From my socialization, I feel LGBT movements negate the relevance of the marriage institution and erode morality, thus should be restricted.
References
“All We Want is Equality” | Religious Exemptions and Discrimination against LGBT People in the United States. Human Rights Watch. (2018). Retrieved 2 May 2020, from https://www.hrw.org/report/2018/02/19/all-we-want-equality/religious-exemptions-and-discrimination-against-lgbt-people.
LGBT facts and figures. Stonewall. (2016). Retrieved 2 May 2020, from https://www.stonewall.org.uk/media/lgbt-facts-and-figures.
Views on homosexuality, gender, and religion. Pew Research Center – U.S. Politics & Policy. (2017). Retrieved 2 May 2020, from https://www.people-press.org/2017/10/05/5-homosexuality-gender-and-religion/.