Discrimination Against L.G.B.T.Q. by Vincent Wong

Discrimination Against L.G.B.T.Q.

 L.G.B.T.Q. stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning

Background

Many people around the world in the L.G.B.T.Q. community faces discrimination and inequality just because of who they love, how they look, or who they refer to themselves as. In some cases, there are some countries that go so far to even torture and execute members of this community. A person's sexual orientation or gender identity are integral parts of ourselves and should never lead to discrimination or abuse. In today's society, many new rules have been implemented in favor of protecting the rights of the community, but there are still ways to go for the world to be fully accepting.

According to Freedom4AllUSA, in 28 states, there are no explicit statewide laws that protect people from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations. This total also includes another two states discriminates against gender identity and sexual orientation. which makes that a total of 30 states that don't provide protection to all the LGBTQ community. Out of the 50 states in the United States, a little more than half of those states have no such law protecting the LGBTQ  community.

"LGBTQ people's day-to-day experiences are still structured by 

discrimination, harassment, and prejudice."

              -Logan S. Casey                   

A survey known as the "Discrimination in America" conducted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Research Program for the National Public Radio, using a nationally representative sample of 489 lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, and queer adults, found that more than half of them experienced offense comments or slurs against them. Most of those that were surveyed also reported that their friends and family around them were threatened or harassed. 

The LGBTQ community has also faced institutional discrimination where one in five of those surveyed said that they have been discriminated against in the process of applying for a job, being paid equally or promotion, or buying or renting a home. In the political sphere, one in ten stated that they were personally discriminated against when trying to vote or participated in politics. Roughly one in six were denied medical care or treatments simply due to their LGBTQ identity.

Why It Matters To Me

 As a person who grew up in a traditional Asian household, it was always frowned upon if I or my sisters identified as queer. A close friend of mine just recently realized he was gay and opened up to me. After a couple of years when he got more comfortable with expressing his sexual orientation, the topic of him being gay happened to come up and my parents immediately told me to stop hanging out with him. They were afraid that I might "convert" or something along those lines. This is why I wanted to address this kind of issue, in hopes that in the future the LGBTQ community will not face inequality or discrimination. 

Words From My Community

"Many of my closest friends are gay and that 

doesn't change anything about our friendship."

                                                                     -Brandon Lam

"It is stupid how there so much discrimination out there. 

Everyone should just be themselves and just have fun with life." 

                                                                          -Neil McMaster

Bibliography

1. “LGBTQ Americans Aren't Fully Protected From Discrimination in 30 States.” Freedom for All Americans, www.freedomforallamericans.org/states/. 
2.  Moreau, Julie. “Most LGBTQ Americans Experience Harassment and Discrimination, Harvard Study Finds.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 26 Nov. 2017, 7:23, www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/most-lgbtq-americans-experience-harassment-discrimination-harvard-study-finds-n823876.