Gender Bender – LGBT Community

The LGBT community is one of the largest organizations or groups in our society. Some people do not accept them because they believe it is wrong for individuals to transition to a different gender and sex. On the other hand, many people do accept and support the community, recognizing that they are people too. They understand these individuals are simply embracing themselves no matter what. The LGBT community often faces difficult challenges in their lives, stemming from various factors such as politics, religion, and the environment in workplaces and schools.

How does the LGBT community approach upcoming challenges in the future and does this group face similar issues on a daily basis? One central aspect of their community is their desire to see individuals succeed without discrimination based on gender and race. They just want to be treated like any other person who wants equal rights and to avoid being discriminated against by the people around them. The history of the LGBT community is profoundly important to our society, which is why we should strive to learn more about it. Their main focus is to fight for equality and freedom from discrimination based on their gender and sexuality. Some people hold prejudices against this community due to their individual beliefs about gender identity.

They wish for acceptance, regardless of their personal decisions, even though these choices can be emotionally challenging for their families and friends. This especially rings true when a person decides to transition to a different gender. Before discussing how the LGBT community began, let's delve into the history of how gay and lesbian individuals were treated during the 1920s. People who identified as gay or lesbian were treated as if they didn't exist. There was minimal awareness or understanding about being gay or lesbian, and many individuals were afraid to disclose their sexuality and gender. Those who did face up to the challenge of coming out were often treated differently or judged. It was particularly hard for them to confide in their families and friends about their gender identity.

In the 1950s, people were not even familiar with the term "transgender," and it was rarely used or known among the general public. There was a person named Christine Jorgensen who made the news during the post-World War 2 era as she transitioned from male to female. People claimed that she was the epitome of the "blonde bombshell," symbolizing 1950s white feminine sexuality. The concept of transitioning from one gender to another became a significant topic of conversation in America. In today's society, the LGBT community recognizes more than two distinct genders.

In 1951, a few men, seasoned labor activists and Marxists, launched a radical organization known as the “homophile”. Over several years, their membership grew and the organization navigated the complexities of the Cold War even as it faced external pressure. Eventually, the organization denounced its radical Marxist roots and pledged its allegiance to the United States. By the mid 60s, the organization, heavily populated by the white, middle-class, and politically moderate (despite still holding Marxist roots), continued to grow. Members were provided with a specific dress code to intentionally avoid overt displays of their sexuality. People of non-binary genders confronted the organization, an action that nudged it towards the more conservative end of the political spectrum.

In 1969, members of the LGBT community pushed back against police raids at the Stonewall Inn on a sweltering summer night. This resistance marked the beginnings of the modern LGBT movement as we know it today. For nearly two decades, these individuals made themselves visible while organizing politically. They tackled numerous discriminatory and unfair rules in various sectors, such as schools, workplaces, and politics.

Many people mistreat the LGBT community due to prejudice or fear of public perception, especially if they employ transgender individuals. This intolerance can tarnish a company’s reputation. Bullying in schools is a major issue affecting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender children. This intolerance, often fueled by parental prejudice, engenders a sense of isolation and may lead to suicide. Statistics show that gay and lesbian youths are two to six times more likely to consider suicide than heterosexual teens in response to school bullying. Remarkably, over 30% of teenage suicide reports are likely from the gay and lesbian community. Furthermore, about 30% of gay males reportedly run a high risk of developing an alcohol problem. The only way to support the LGBT community is to understand what they are about and what they are fighting for. It is disheartening to see the level of discrimination they face at schools and other places due to their sexual orientation and gender identity.

The LGBTQ community often protests against politicians who don't support their cause. However, there are politicians who do support them. An example is former President Barack Obama, who passed a bill on June 26, 2015, to ensure the LGBT community had rights and protection against discrimination. This was a great victory for the LGBT community as it gave them the freedom to express their love to people of the same sex.

There were people who were happy with that, and there were people who weren't happy with it. Additionally, some states didn't allow same-sex marriage, even though the bill was passed. At that time, it was a very controversial bill to some people, and some states didn't like that bill. Also, one state didn't allow same-sex marriage because they thought it wasn’t right to marry someone of the same sex. The LGBT community would face many challenges from their workplace because they were discriminated against due to their gender and sexuality. On April 22, 2019, there was a Supreme Court hearing about the LGBT community trying to get protection and equal rights to prevent job discrimination based on their gender and sexuality.

The Supreme Court accepted three cases that involved anti-discrimination law, which protects a person from discrimination based on their sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace. This case put the Supreme Court in high esteem with the LGBT community because this community faces many issues. The Supreme Court reviewed two cases, Bostock v. Clayton City and Altitude Express, Inc. v. Zarda; both cases were consolidated because the victims were discriminated against based on their sexual orientation. Another case the Supreme Court reviewed was R.G. and G.R. Funeral Homes v. EEOC, which concerned whether existing discrimination laws apply to transgender workers. These are some of the Supreme Court's biggest cases because they are highly controversial, particularly for transgender individuals who face discrimination.

The Supreme Court was allowed to petition for writs of certiorari for three cases that the court had to investigate. They were also added to the court's workload for the term scheduled in October. The court would set limits for the cases they reviewed. For the review of Harris Funeral Homes, the case would only limit the question to whether Title VII, which prohibits discrimination against transgender people based on their transgender status or stereotyping, violated the Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins case. Title VII is part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and protects individuals from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and nationality. Without that Act, people could be discriminated against, leading to stereotypes or a refusal to hire someone due to their differences. In my opinion, it is beneficial to have some type of protection to prevent individuals from being discriminated against.

There was an article that talks about Mormon churches allowing LGBT couples to baptize their children, but the church doesn’t permit the sanctification of same-sex marriage. The church, named The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is allowing LGBT couples to baptize their children. In my opinion, that’s great news. The church declared, “We want to reduce the hate and contention so common today,”(Priest, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Another quote from the same source read, “We are optimistic that a majority of people- regardless of their beliefs and orientations -endeavor for a better understanding and less contentious communications,”(Priest, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).

In my opinion, it is a positive step that the priest of a Mormon church offers the opportunity for LGBT couples to baptize their child because it shows the church’s inclusive values. In other news, Donald Trump recent desire to ban transgender individuals from joining the military has caused an uproarious response within the transgender community and beyond. A Supreme Court decision on this issue was made in January, and it was confirmed by the Pentagon on April 15 that this ban on transgender individuals joining U.S. Naval and other service academies would take effect in the Fall of 2020.

In my opinion, it’s deeply unfortunate that our president would seek to ban transgender people from joining or remaining in the military. Transgender individuals have safeguarded our country just as their cisgender counterparts have, and thus, they should not be discriminated against. Following the Supreme Court decision to ban transgender folks from joining any branch of the military, the court expressed a desire to gauge how the Naval Academy would adapt to the new landscape. Having transgender people enlist has been a contentious debate within the U.S. military. As such, the U.S. Naval Academy plans to explore further to understand the situation and try to make constructive decisions.

In my opinion, the U.S. Navy shouldn’t ban or discriminate against transgender people because they served our country. I think people should have equal rights in the military, no matter their gender. In Lebanon, there was a court appeal that upheld a ruling in July. In this article, an adult involved in same-sex conduct was not deemed as committing an "unnatural offense." This had significant implications within the Lebanon LGBT community. Lebanon issued an article called Article 534 of the Penal code. The French had issued a mandate on Lebanon to ban "sexual intercourse contrary to nature" (Thomson Reuter). The police were said to harass, arrest, and prosecute the LGBT community because of their sexual orientation or their gender identity. The LGBT community would face multiple types of problems, particularly transgender women in Lebanon. Syrian refugees are most likely to be targeted in Lebanon. Lebanese protesters and activists are willing to provide legal aid and other services to them.

There are many solutions that can help guard against discrimination and prevent them from feeling like outcasts in our society. The first solution to help the LGBT community from being bullied or discriminated against is acceptance. We should provide them with love and care, supporting their decisions and transitions, even if it might be difficult for their families and friends. Second, parents should teach their children not to bully anyone who is gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, or queer, because it can lead to feelings of nonacceptance and difficulty making friends in school.

Also, we should create a comfortable environment for them at school and ensure they don’t feel outcast. Joining their movement is another significant way to support the LGBT community. Their movement is a crucial part of their community and offers a chance to engage with others in the group. The fourth tip to support the community is not tolerating any hateful speeches. If you hear any anti-LGBT comments, you must stand up against it. Be prepared for questions or put-downs that can be hurtful. The final tip to help the LGBT community is to listen to their experiences and views. Many people are uncertain about the meaning of LGBT and might misconceive the community as harmful. Listening to them will deepen our understanding of the community.

In conclusion, the LGBT community has faced many different types of challenges from the past to the present. The group simply desires equal rights like everyone else. We must not bully or discriminate against them due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. We should accept and support them for who they are. Their community has changed our society's view significantly. Many LGBT community members have overcome difficult challenges by fighting relentlessly to achieve their goals.

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