People who identify themselves as members of the LGBT community are a designated minority and are likely to experience intolerance and discrimination because of their sexual orientation. This situation is referred to as homophobia, in which the other members of society fear or hate homosexuality. Homophobia is reinforced by several factors including religious views and standards of morality in the dominant group. It is the basis for various laws that outlaw homosexuality in regions across the world. However, LGBT activism and increased personal contacts have increased the level of acceptance for members of this group in the society (Stafford, 2016). In the US, the legal system outlaws discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Although the society perception towards the LGBT people has improved, the members of this community are still at risk of suffering from intolerance and discrimination.
The LGBT society is more accepted in the mainstream society than ever before. Recent studies on the perceptions towards the LGBT community have indicated a significant change in the level of their acceptability in the society. A survey involving LGBT adults showed that 92% of them believed that the society had become more accepting than ever before, but they still reported experiencing some forms of discrimination (Drake, 2013). However, majority reports that despite the increasing level of acceptance, they are usually subjected to jokes and slurs against their sexual orientation. Studies on public opinion of gays and lesbians indicate that the level of acceptance for gay men increased from 37% in 2003 to 55% in 2013. The level of acceptance for Lesbians changed form 39% to 58% over the same period (Drake, 2013). The change of perception involves many aspects of the LGBT community including the need for gays and lesbians to raise children. For instance, there are fewer Americans who believe that allowing gays and lesbians to raise children is a bad thing for the society.
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"How does Society View the LGBT Community?".
Apart from the larger society, LGBT people are likely to suffer from discrimination from family members and close friends once their sexual orientation becomes public. About 19% of adults say that they would not welcome the news that their child was a gay or lesbian, but this represents a significant decline when compared to perceptions over the past three decades (Drake, 2013). The likelihood of upsetting family members or creating a bad experience has discouraged many LGBT people from disclosing their sexual orientation to their parents and other family members. Majority of the LGBT people reports that it is very difficult to inform their parents, especially their fathers, about their sexual orientation.
The changing attitude towards LGBT people is associated with increased personal contact with them. Majority of Americans say they know at least one person who is gay or lesbian. A survey of the general public indicated that 23% of Americans know a lot of gay or lesbian people in the society (Drake, 2013). The increasing contact is effective in addressing the stereotypes associated with the LGBT people, and hence homophobia. Moral standards and religious beliefs are the major sources of opposition to the LGBT community. Nearly half of Americans believe that engaging in homosexual activities is immoral and against religious teachings (Drake, 2013). This is the group that is most against the legalization of same-sex marriage and other issues that seem to legally recognize the LGBT community.
LGBT people are more likely to experience physical violence and verbal harassment. Their sexual orientation makes them a convenient target for bullies in many situations. For example, the majority of LGBT people report as having been the subject of jokes and slurs in social gatherings. Others have reported being avoided or rejected by a friend or family member at some point (Higa et al., 2014). LGBT people are also faced with discrimination when seeking public services. A survey of six likely scenarios ranging from poor service to physical attack indicated that two-thirds of LGBT people had experienced at least one of them (Pew Research Center, 2013). The discrimination in public places creates challenges for the LGBT people in accessing services and forming successful social connections. For example, the LGBT students often feel unsafe at school because of the negative perception by their peers, and this reduces their level of participation in school activities (Jocelyn-Blackman, 2017).
The society view of the LGBT people is associated with various issues affecting the members of this group. Studies have established a relationship between lack of social acceptability and abuse of drugs and substances by members of the LGBT community. LGBT youth are at increased risk of abusing drugs and substances because of stigmatization (Mental Health America, 2018). Also, LGBT people are at higher risk of self-harm and suicide when compared to the rest of the population. These issues affect the well-being of LGBT people and their functioning in the society.
Thus, LGBT people attract negative perceptions because of religious beliefs and moral standards in the society, but the situation is changing with more people now likely to accept gays and lesbians. LGBT activism and increasing contact with gays and lesbians have been creating a more accepting environment for LGBT people to interact with the rest of the society. Despite the change in perception, the risk or discrimination and other forms of harm against LGBT people are still high. The LGBT people may find challenges in navigating many issues that would require them to reveal their sexual orientation. Additionally, the religious beliefs and moral standards against LGBT people are still a strong basis for opposition towards the welfare of gays and lesbians in the society. LGBT people will continue experienced discrimination and risk for harm as members of a minority group with unique values.
- Drake, B. (2013). How LGBT adults see society and how the public sees them. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.pewresearch.org
- Higa, D., Hoppe, M. J., Lindhorst, T., Mincer, S., Beadnell, B., Morrison, D. M., … Mountz, S. (2014). Negative and Positive Factors Associated With the Well-Being of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Youth. Youth & Society, 46(5), 663–687.
- Jocelyn-Blackman, G. (2017). How Are LGBT Youths Affected by Discrimination and What Can Schools Do to Help? Retrieved from https://www.york.cuny.edu/
- Mental Health America. (2018). Bullying and LGBT Youth. Retrieved from http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/
- Pew Research Center. (2013). A Survey of LGBT Americans. Retrieved from http://www.pewsocialtrends.org
- Stafford, Z. (2016). LGBT people are more accepted than ever – but we need self-acceptance too. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/
