Lgbtq Community Issue

A great amount of problems still exist in LGBT workplaces, rights in the sphere have evolved and there are signs for a better and brighter future for the community. “The government has announced that it will be advancing legislation to amend section 37.1 of the employment equality act, which currently allows religious—run institutions, such as schools and hospitals to discriminate against LGBT employees. But the amendment will not protect every worker, as Rob Buchanan reports.” (BUCHANAN)

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) falls within societal minority groups such as low income, people of color, and disables (AHRQ, 2011). Due to their gender identity, discrimination, violence, and even denial of human rights and healthcare services is a common challenge among LGBT population. LGBT still faces many health disparities primarily related to the historic bias of healthcare professionals anti-LGBT manners even though society acceptance has been favorable. According to Ard and Makadon (n.d), “until 1973, homosexuality was listed as a disorder…, and transgender still is.” This stigma prevents healthcare professionals to openly ask questions in a non-judgmental manner related to sexual identity. On the other hand, if the patient senses that the healthcare environment is discriminating they may be reluctant to disclose important information as their sexual orientation; thus, missing important opportunities of been educated about safety and health care risks.

The young people of the LGBT community do in fact have increased risks when it comes to their mental health. For example: Compared to homeless youth that identify as heterosexual, LGBT adolescents are more likely to have major depressive episodes (41.3% vs. 28.5%), suicidal thoughts (73% vs. 53.2%), at least one suicide attempt (57.1% vs. 33.7%), and posttraumatic stress disorder (47.6% vs. 33.4%) (Keuroghlian, A. S., Shtasel, D., & Bassuk, E. L., 2014). It is also shown that homeless youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, ranging from 13 to 21 years of age are more apt than youth who identify as heterosexual to experience and report symptoms of depression and use street drugs such as, methamphetamines, cocaine and or crack (Keuroghlian, A. S., Shtasel, D., & Bassuk, E. L., 2014).

These costs and effects are in are in another research project. Markus Bidell, Professor of Education at CUNY, research stress levels in the LGBT Homeless Youth. “Is There an Emotional Cost of Completing High School? Ecological Factors and Psychological Distress Among LGBT Homeless Youth,” was a conducted study of LGBT homeless youth experiences in during high school (Bidell 366). Bidell reported that 40 percent did not compete high school, and most did not search for support from GSAs and school staff (Ibid). His concluding finding found that sexual minorities stress comes from harassment in their community, while at school has little effect (Ibid). While school life has become less hard on the mental health of LGBT youth, the community (house and street life) forces them to be challenged by more factors.

Most LGBT youth become happy with who they are which gives them room to thrive during their adolescent years. Attending a school that has a safe and comfortable environment for every student is especially important. Positive environments can help all youth achieve good grades and maintain good mental and physical health. However, some youths are more likely than their straight peers to experience bad health and life outcomes. Experiences with violence, compared to other students, come easy to LGBT individuals that can cause increased risks for unfortunate circumstances.‘Violence’ includes behaviors such as teasing, harassment, and physical assault. It is important that students at risk have access to resources and support to deal with any questions or challenges they may have or face as they mature. Surveyed LGBT students reported 10% were threatened or injured, 34% were bullied, and 28% were bullied electronically.

The difficulties and inequities listed above contribute to the overall health and wellness of LGBTQ people. They experience additional stress due to discrimination and bullying in their schools and jobs which lead to a greater risk of depression and anxiety which leads to suicide and self-harm. LGBTQ teens face isolation and depression because they are navigating their sexuality without any support (Subhrajit).

Representative Jared Polis “In 31 states, it is still legal to fire an employee because they’re gay or transgender.” It’s shocking to know a nation considered one of the leading nations in the world has not granted its basic human rights to the people residing on their land––people who have devoted their lives to thrive in this country. Through research, there was one study I found that stood out to me titled “INJUSTICE AT EVERY TURN:

Adolescent sexual minorities are also at high risk for relationship violence, putting them in a vulnerable population. The school nurse needs to be aware of this. Gillum (2017) conducted research among LGBTQ+ college students who were in intimate relationships and found 58% of these subjects were physically victimized and 86% had experienced psychological aggression during adolescence. The majority of these subjects also experienced physical or psychological aggression

The LGBTQ community consists of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer. This diverse group is united based on their shared history of discrimination based on their breaking the norm of heterosexuality. The groups within this community, while vary in experiences, are able to maintain some amount of solidarity by agreeing on the importance of advocating for rights to better the safety of the LGBTQ people. Throughout history prejudice people who look down upon those with differing sexual orientations have bullied, harassed, raped and murdered people from all the categories of the LGBTQ community. It was not until 2009 where President Barrack Obama signed a law that has made it a federal crime to assault someone based on

“Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior in which someone intentionally and repeatedly causes another person injury or discomfort (American).” Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals, along with many other sexual minority young people, usually experience more bullying, violence, harassment, and degradation at school, than their heterosexual peers. Much of the information I have found was shocking due to the fact that I was not previously aware of the extent to which the struggles LGBT Youth face, regularly. Chosen by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), the Harris Interactive Survey “of more than 3,400 gay and straight students and 1,000 educators, 65 percent reported verbal abuse or physical assaults rooted in homophobia and prejudice (Robinson 1).” When you think about this statistic, it’s unbelievable to imagine how many people actually struggle in their daily lives at the account of others and their ignorance.

Homophobia attitudes generate a social climate that is repeatedly detrimental to LGBT individuals. Homophobic statements and discrimination of LGBT students contribute to higher rates of dropouts, absenteeism, and lower academic performance. The psychological health of most LGBT individuals suffers due to the much stress they feel as a result of homophobic attitudes. Living with much stress often causes these students to experience "high vulnerability to depressive anxiety and distress" (Pelleschi, 2016). Homophobic statements reinforce stereotypes and beliefs by gender identity or sexual orientation. Besides affecting LGBT students, homophobia also directly affects those who have homosexual family members. Parents of LGBT children are not only susceptible to homophobic attitudes but also likely to be rejected in the school and wider society. In fact, there is a danger to personal security and emotional wellbeing when the family is neither recognized nor protected. This lack of recognition or rejection of family lowers confidence, self-assurance, and stability of the LGBT individuals in a society where homosexuals are not accepted. In 2016, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey was carried out and found that 10 percent of students who identified as

“Four percent of Americans are a part of the LGBTQ community” (Samantha Allen). Many people may have a member of their family in the community and not even know it. Most of the people in the LGBTQ community have been affected by bullying, whether if it was in the workforce, everyday life like on the streets, or even in a school environment. LGBTQ students are adversely affected by bullying in a school environment. The bullying makes the students feel unsafe, unwanted, and lost, which sometimes results in suicides.

Many people who are lgbtq are often bullied during school. Schools are suppose to be a place where students should be learning, not a place where anyone should be bullied for any reason.“ ( LGBTQ ) are at a higher risk of experiencing stress, bullying, depressive symptoms, and living away from guardians “( NYC Health 20 Sept. ). Bullying someone can have some serious effects, bullying is not only done

Throughout history there have been numerous legal cases and issues relating to the LGBT community involving workplace equality. One topic that has recently been a popular issue would be the employment rights for LGBT individuals. Equal treatment in the workplace and not being discriminated against for your sexual identity or sexual orientation is extremely important in today’s society. During these past couple of decades our government has worked hard in trying to pass certain laws that are supposed to protect the LGBT community when it comes to being employed and not allowing businesses to discriminate against someone for their sexual identity. However, that is not always the case and businesses still find ways around these laws or certain states will try to surpass these laws.

Aside from having a higher likelihood of rape than their Pornhub counterparts, LGBT teens are also far more likely to attempt suicide. Furthermore, they are more likely to have taken illegal drugs and take part in risky behaviours that put them in harms way. These findings, while shocking, are no surprise. Smaller surveys have found similar results however, this is the first government survey to examine the issue across the whole country.