LGBTQ Discrimination

What past movements have taken place to decrease LGBTQ discrimination and what else can
be done?
Imani Roberson
April 17, 2015
Ms. Hawkins
Senior Seminar

Abstract

LGBTQ Discrimination

This paper will discuss LGBTQ discrimination. I will also be exploring past movements
and evolutionary demonstrations that have taken place to decrease LGBTQ discrimination.
Then finally I will explain what problems still exist today and what other steps can be taken.

American novelist, essayist, playwright, poet, and social critic James Baldwin once said,
Everybody's journey is individual. If you fall in love with a boy, you fall in love with a boy.
The fact that many Americans consider it a disease says more about them than it does about
homosexuality. Baldwin opines that, in America, the abundance of discrimination against the
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning or unspecified community is completely
senseless because of the fact that everyone is their own individual. Over the past years there
have been several movements and important events that have occurred to decrease LGBTQ
discrimination, but, there are still a mass amount of work to be done such as raising awareness

LGBTQ Discrimination

and the enforcement of laws.

STATISTICS
According to a survey created and administered by Pew Research Center, who conducts
opinion polling, demographic research, states that in 2012 92% say society has become
more accepting of them in the past decade and an equal number expect it to grow even
more accepting in the decade ahead, (A Survey of LGBT Americans,2013). This statistic
specifies that after 1992 the LGBTQ community has become more accepted.
BACKGROUND
Homosexuality is the attraction to someone of the same sex. Homosexuality
discrimination, is there unfair treatment of homosexuals and the LGBTQ
(Lesbian,Gay,Bisexual,Transgender and Questioning or unspecified) community. According to
the American Mental Health Channel "Homophobia often leads to gay discrimination",
implying that LGBT discrimination can stem directly from homophobia. Homophobia being the
irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuals, first used in 1969.
In addition to homophobia, a large amount of discrimination started long before with
Sodomy laws. Sodomy laws were prohibited sexual acts commonly used by homosexuals. An
organization whose objective is to promote equality for the LGBTQ community states, Up
until 1962, gay sex between two consenting adults was a felony in every state in the United
States,(State Sodomy Laws Continue To Target LGBT Americans). That fact explains that in
America, homosexuality was considered against the law.
The large amount of hatred and anger people had led to numerous accounts of hate
crimes. Hate crimes according to Dictionary.com, are a crime, usually violent, motivated by
prejudice or intolerance toward an individuals national origin, ethnicity, color, religion, gender,

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gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.

1940s-1960s
In the 1940s, 50s and early 60s the increasing numbers of gay men and lesbians prompted
government and police harassment, persecution, and investigation of gays. An excerpt from The
Reader's Companion to American History acknowledged, Firings from government jobs and
purges from the military intensified in the 1950s. President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued an
executive order in 1953 barring gay men and lesbians from all federal jobs. Many state, local
governments and private corporations followed suit(Foner, E., 1991). This demonstrates that,
the LGBTQ community was excessively targeted by that government and the local
police.Because of the violence and unfair treatment of homosexuals and the LGBTQ
community,supports began to rebel and try to stop the cycle of LGBTQ discrimination.
During these times the civil rights movement had sparked something in the gay
community. Being as though the civil rights movement was so successful, it had influenced
homosexuals to fight back. This was also the beginning of major organizations. An example of
these organizations during this time was the Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis.
The Mattachine Society, founded in 1951 by Harry Hay in Los Angeles, was one of the many
new LGBTQ organizations of this time. The Daughters Of Bilitis was like the Mattachine
Society but for lesbians, and was founded in San Francisco in 1955 by Del Martin and Phyllis
Lyon. The focal point of the these types of organizations, according to the NYPL (New York
Public Library) was to [provide] public forums for medical views sympathetic to LGBTQ civil
rights; creating protective, supportive social networks for homosexuals; and providing a
clearinghouse for legal, medical, and personal advice for homosexuals in jeopardy, or in other
words administer miscellaneous types of moral support.

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5
STONEWALL

1969 was also the beginning of a major LGBTQ movement. On June 28, 1969, the
Stonewall Inn, a bar for homosexuals in New York, was raided by the police. The police
claimed they raided the Stonewall Inn because of an alleged violation of liquor laws. This
happened quite often because the New York State Liquor Authority refused to sell liquor
licenses to places that served homosexuals. This became one of the earliest, most important
movements in LGBTQ history because it was the first time that the community and the
communitys supporters fought back. Over several days, the Stonewall riots, discords with the
police and peaceful protests occurred. The weeks that would follow would begin even more
peaceful movements. (Andryszewski, 2000, pg.9).

1970s-1990s
In the years to come the movements progressed hugely. People believed that
homosexuality was a curable disease. They tried to cure homosexuality by using methods such
as drugs, shock therapy and Psychotherapy. On December 15, 1973, the Board of the American
Psychiatric Association decided to withdraw homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses,
saying that Homosexuality per se implies no impairment in judgment, stability, reliability, or
general social and vocational capabilities; Further, the American Psychological Association
urges all mental health professionals to take the lead in removing the stigma of mental illness
that has long been associated with LGBTQ orientations, (Discrimination Against
Homosexuals). This was a solution embraced by the APA Council of Representatives on January
24-26, 1975 and in turn changing the attitudes about homosexuals, (LGBT-Sexual Orientation).
In addition, in the late 1970s the law began to help decrease LGBT discrimination. Out
law: What LGBT youth should know about their legal rights, a book written by Lisa Keen,

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depicts the questions and answers teens have about their rights, flawlessly illustrates a timeline
of milestones in America. For example, Lisa Keen in her book mentions that in the District of
Columbia, in 1977, was the first to appoint laws banning sexual-orientation discrimination.
Soon after many other states followed such as; Wisconsin (1982), Massachusetts (1989),
Connecticut (1991), Hawaii (1991), New Jersey (1992), Vermont (1992), California (1992),
Minnesota (1993), Rhode Island (1995), New Hampshire (1997), Maryland (2001), New York
(2003), New Mexico (2004), Maine (2005), Illinois (2005), Washington (2006).
Another important milestone included the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy was organized
for the U.S. military, permitting gays to serve in the military but banning LGBTQ activity which
was later revoked by President Barack Obama. According to the article As of Sept. 20, service
members will no longer be forced to hide who they are in order to serve our country, Mr.
Obama said in a statement. He signed the certification, along with Defense Secretary Leon E.
Panetta and Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, about 3:30 p.m. in the
Oval Office. (Bumiller, E. 2011). Explaining that homosexuals in the American Armed Forces
would no longer have to refrain from expressing that they are homosexuals.
In 1981, the United States of America had discovered a new illness among a few gay
men, HIV and AIDS. HIV means Human Immunodeficiency Virus, a virus that can only
infect humans, and weakens your immune system by consuming cells that fight disease and
infection and in turn prevents the immune system from defending against diseases. AIDS an
acronym for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and is the final stage of HIV but not
everyone with HIV contracts AIDS. AIDS has a large amount of symptoms and complications
rather than a disease. (What Is HIV/AIDS?)
The CDC originally referred to the disease as GRID, Gay Related Immune Deficiency

LGBTQ Discrimination

Disorder. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains five homosexual men
in Los Angeles, in June 5, 1981 have contracted a novel disease. As stated by Avert The fear
surrounding the emerging HIV epidemic in the 1980s persists today. At that time, very little was
known about how HIV is transmitted, which made people scared of those infected due to fear of
contagion,(HIV & AIDS Stigma and Discrimination. N.D...). This quote explains that
discrimination towards gay men with HIV and AIDS came from the lack of knowledge.In
Washington, DC, on July 27, the term AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)was used
rather than GRID (Gay Related Immune Deficiency Disorder). Health authorities soon realized
that nearly half of the people identified with the syndrome were not homosexual men
2000s-PRESENT
In the new millennium the new movement evolved to gay marriage. Over the years gay
marriage had became the main focus point. The LGBTQ community, not only wanted to have
the right to love who they wanted, but they also wanted to be able to take their relationship to
the next step which includes getting married.
In the year 2000, Vermont became the first state in America to legally recognize
registered partnership between gay or lesbian couples. This means that couples would be
entitled to the same benefits, privileges, and responsibilities as spouses, but it does not refer to
same-sex unions as marriage, which the state defines as heterosexual. As Stated by
Dosomething.org As of 2014, 20 states have followed: Iowa, Vermont, Maine, New York,
Connecticut, Washington, Maryland, New Hampshire, Oregon, California, New Mexico,
Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and
Washington D.C(11 Facts About Same-Sex Marriage N.D...). This statistic communicates that

LGBTQ Discrimination

although the movement made progress there are still 30 other states that still do not accept gay
marriage.
After the AIDS epidemic, on October 7, 1998 a 21-year-old man by the name of
Matthew Shepard was beaten and robbed by Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson in
Laramie, Wyoming. After offering Matthew a ride home Aaron and Russell tortured him and
tied him to a fence, leaving him for dead. Eighteen hours later Shepard was found unconscious
and later on October 12, 1998 Shepard was pronounced dead at 12:53 a.m. Both Henderson and
McKinney were found guilty.(Palmer,2011, pg.9)
Subsequently Matthews death would be the beginning of the movement that would
reduce hate crimes. As stated by the website created by Judy and Dennis Shepard dedicated to
Matthew Shepard and reducing hate crimes all over the world on October 7, 1998 one of the
most notorious anti-gay hate crimes in American history occurred and spawned an activist
movement that, more than a decade later, would result in the passage of the Matthew Shepard
and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a federal law against bias crimes directed at
lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered people (MSF, N.D...).

SOLUTIONS
Although several movements and events that have taken place to decrease LGBT discrimination
there is still a great deal of discrimination.
TELEVISION AND MEDIA
In Shonda Rhimes You Are Not Alone Human Rights Campaign speech in Gala, Los
Angeles in 2015 she stated I get asked a lot by reporters and tweeters why I am so invested in
diversity on television. Why is it so important to have diversity on TV? they say. Why is it

LGBTQ Discrimination

so challenging to have diversity? Why does Cyrus need to be gay? I really hate the word
diversity. It suggests somethingother. As if it is somethingspecial. Or rare. Diversity! As
if there is something unusual about telling stories involving women and people of color and
LGBTQ characters on TV. I have a different word: NORMALIZING. Im normalizing TV. I am
making TV look like the world looks. Women, people of color, LGBTQ people equal WAY
more than 50% of the population. Which means it aint out of the ordinary. I am making the
world of television look NORMAL. I am NORMALIZING television. Her testimony
emphasises on making television and the media like every day life. Making an affort to stop
LGBTQ discrimination means attending to discrimination in all aspects of society. Political
leaders, police forces, broadcasters, actors,employers and everyday people can influence the
way that the LGBTQ community members are people acted in regards to.
AWARENESS
Another step that could be taken to decrease LGBTQ Discrimination is raising
awareness. According to the article, Homophobia is fueled by lack of awareness, and educating
people about LGBT issues is fundamental to overcoming widely accepted prejudice. (What
You Can Do, N.D.). In other words, informing society on problems the LGBTQ community
faces could decrease LGBTQ discrimination.
COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS
Furthermore, community based organizations and positively impact the movement
towards reducing the amount of prejudice. Community based organizations as reported by the
National Network of Libraries of Medicine are public or private nonprofit (including a church
or religious entity) that is representative of a community or a significant segment of a
community, and is engaged in meeting human, educational, environmental, or public safety

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10

community needs. These organizations according to What You Can Do, have the scope to
provide support to LGBT people who might feel marginalized and isolated, especially in
societies where homosexuality is illegal. Such groups can also influence the attitudes of the
general public and campaign for tolerance towards homosexuality, (N.D.), by way of
explanation, creating more community based organizations can provide support for isolated
LGBTQ people.
SCHOOLS
Suicides are the main cause of teen deaths in the LGBTQ communities. The article from
a organization that purpose is the decrease LGBTQ discrimination states when schools respond
strongly to homophobic bullying, LGBT students are more likely to feel able to be themselves,
more likely to feel part of the school community and more likely to be happy(What You Can
Do, N.D.). The author suggests that schools play a big part and that acknowledging and reacting
firmly will create an easier, more respectful environment for the teens of the LGBTQ
community.
WORKPLACE
Thirdly, state and local companies should enforce their nondiscrimination protections and
investigating. That will intell any and all complaints of discrimination based on sexual
orientation or gender identity. Qualified, hardworking Americans are denied job opportunities,
fired or otherwise discriminated against just because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or
transgender (LGBT). There is no federal law that consistently protects LGBT individuals from
employment discrimination; there are no state laws in 29 states that explicitly prohibit
discrimination based on sexual orientation, and in 32 states that do so based on gender identity,
(Employment Non-Discrimination Act ). This quote talks about how there is no federal laws that

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11

efficiently protect homosexuals, the homosexual community in their place of work.

GOVERNMENT
As previously stated there have been several laws enacted in favor of homosexuals.
Homosexuals being informed on what they have the rights to say, do and be is important to the
community because it expands human rights. As with any other law its important because
according to Lambda Legal, The U.S. Constitution guarantees all people, including LGBTQ
people, equal protection of the laws. State constitutions contain similar protections. This
means that public schools[or public places] cant single out LGBTQ students for negative
treatment just because school officials disapprove of being gay or feel uncomfortable around
people whose gender identity or expression is different from theirs. When it comes to peer
conflicts and abuse, courts have made clear that the federal Constitution prohibits [anyone] from
taking bullying and harassment any less seriously just because the targets are LGBTQ, (How
The Law Protects LGBTQ Youth, N.D.).
In closing, despite the endless and important efforts of the LGBTQ community, LGBTQ
discrimination is still relevant. Overtime there has been riots, changes of the laws, LGBTQ
organizations, and acceptance. from my research I have found that Schools, the workplace,
community based organizations, television and media and the government has the power to
change, regulate and enforce laws as while as provide support and strengthening the LGBTQ
community and supporters.

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12

References
11 Facts About Same-Sex Marriage. (n.d.). Retrieved March 09, 2015, from
https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-same-sex-marriage
Bumiller, E. (2011, July 22). Obama Ends Dont Ask, Dont Tell Policy. Retrieved
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_r=0
Discrimination Against Homosexuals. (n.d.). Retrieved March 04, 2015, from
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http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/employment-non-discrimination-act
Foner, E., & Garraty, J. A. (1991). The Reader's companion to American history. Boston:
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HIV & AIDS Stigma and Discrimination. (n.d.). Retrieved April 17, 2015, from
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Keen, L. (2007). Out law: What LGBT youth should know about their legal rights.
Boston, MA: Beacon Press.
LGBT-Sexual Orientation. (n.d.). Retrieved March 05, 2015, from

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13

http://www.psychiatry.org/lgbt-sexual-orientation
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