Friday, September 29, 2023

π—–π—’π—Ÿπ—¨π— π—‘: "Bigotry for Women in the LGBTQ+ Community" by Althea Rosseine Bombasi

 


Cartoon by Jairus Kristan L. Samudio

Published by: Louise Tupaz

Date published: September 29, 2023

Time published: 9:45 AM


Loving someone has never been a problem in our society. Love was never a problem when it comes to women loving men, but what is it that bothers everyone when it comes to women loving women?

Members of the LGBTQ+ community experience more stigma, prejudice, and discrimination than heterosexual cisgender people, based on research that covers the past 25 years. Further studies have revealed that stigma and prejudice faced in settings like job, education, housing, and public places is linked to poor physical and mental health outcomes, as well as health inequalities between LGBTQ+ and straight cisgender individuals [1].

Individuals constantly assert that all relationships are acceptable, meanwhile an extensive number of guys oversexualize lesbian and queer relationships on the internet. When it comes to social media, people are also skilled at masking their support for LGBTQ+ and lesbian portrayals; instead of supporting it and promoting acceptance, they seem aghast by it. When it comes to LGBTQ+ relationships, people tend to hold centralized ideas. Their standpoint on lesbians and queer people is unjust; and they regard them as being morally repugnant and disgusting.

The study claims that discrimination prompted 54% of queer persons to conceal their intimate connections. A similar excuse was given by 55% of transgender people for staying away from public areas [2]. Couples and individuals who are in a lesbian and queer relationships are susceptible to a variety of negative effects from oversexualization in the media, which can force them to pretend to be someone they're certainly not while actually hiding their true identities. Others start wondering about their sexuality and lack confidence as a result of issues like these since it is unattainable to be who you really are if society fails to recognize you. If every individual surrounding them tends to criticize them, they're left with zero means of expressing themselves.

Exclusion, bullying, violence, and legal injustice can all arise from discriminating against lesbian couples. Researchers in Pennsylvania received information from a queer woman who stated that male coworkers had improperly grabbed her and said, "If you let me, I can turn you straight." She called their actions "obviously very offensive and creepy [3].”

Acceptance is what they all need, a society wherein we can all be who we are and show what we truly like. We should strongly reject the intolerance that marred our society's commitment to inclusivity and equality. Like all partnerships, lesbian and queer relationships are deserving of the utmost respect, acceptance, and comprehension. Love overcomes all barriers and ought to grow without discrimination. Our focus is to make the world a place where love is honored in all its manifestations and where everyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, can find happiness and fulfillment in the arms of the one they love. It is our responsibility to advance inclusivity, empathy, and equal rights for all to build a better, more equitable future. Education is also a powerful weapon in the fight against intolerance.

Tolerance and acceptance must be actively promoted by families, communities, and schools. Building an inclusive culture requires having honest, open, and age-appropriate dialogues about diversity, sexuality, and love. Recognizing the immense resilience required by lesbian and queer couples to function in a society that frequently marginalizes them is vital. We can have more compassion for them and be able to appreciate the beauty of their love if we make an effort to comprehend their circumstances. Just like in love maze you should, let them be them and let us be us.


References:

[1] The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law. (2021, May 14). Experiences of discrimination among lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in the US - Williams Institute. Williams Institute. https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/lgb-discrimination-experiences/

[2] Today, K. S. U. (2020, October 18). New research reveals ‘shocking’ rates of anti-LGBTQ discrimination. USA TODAY. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/15/lgbtq-discrimination-rise-according-new-research/5952976002/

[3] Half of LGBTQ workers have faced job discrimination, report finds. (2021, September 8). NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/half-lgbtq-workers-faced-job-discrimination-report-finds-rcna1935

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