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Emma Jones

Dr. Fiona Harris

ENGL – 1050

30 November 2018

Problems Within the LGBQT Community We Still Face Today

There’s no doubt that the United States has become accepting of the LGBQT community

over the past few years – however we as a society should still be concerned about the acceptance

worldwide. I was shocked to read that there are countries that punish by death on acts of

homosexuality, 10 countries to be exact (Horrocks). Most of them are in the middle east and

have Muslim religions.

I do believe that religion has a big part in why people may not accept the LGBQT

community. People who are big believers in God are less accepting because in the Bible, the

Qur’an, the Book of Mormon being gay is a sin. Over the past 30+ years more countries have

become accepting of this issue. The protests and sacrifices from the past, have made it so that we

can live a better today. It’s interesting to me to think that you can be judged by a religion, even

though God is supposed to be accepting of everyone. Possibly because I don’t follow a religion

could be why I don’t understand the judgment that people give to gay people, when it’s a

personal choice.

Even though nowadays we don’t see much discrimination against the LGBQT

community, there are acts of discrimination that have happened that are horrible and

unimaginable. “The horrific events that took place shortly after midnight on October 7, 1998
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would become one of the most notorious anti-gay hate crimes in American history” (Matthew

Shepard Foundation). This event would eventually result in the Crimes Prevention Act, a federal

law against bias crimes directed at lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people (Matthew

Shepard Foundation). The story of Matthew Shepard is heart breaking and unimaginable. He was

abducted and tied to a fence where two the men from his school assaulted him. “He was beaten

and left to die in the cold of the night. Almost 18 hours later, he was found by a bicyclist who

initially mistook him for a scarecrow” (Matthew Shepard Foundation). How crazy to think this

event took place just 20 years ago. “His tragic story just confirms how much hate and

discrimination is still happening today” (Allred).

Thinking of the Shepard Foundation brought tears to my eyes. How can someone do

something so cruel to someone based on their sexuality. After doing more research on the tragic

event, I learned that both of the kidnappers received two life sentences. I feel like the judge let

them off easy. I think that events like this should’ve never happened in the first place, but it’s

because of events like this that have helped better our laws against discrimination.

Just three years ago the United States legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states. “For

every partnership that was not previously recognized under the law and for every American who

was denied their basic civil right, this monumental ruling instilled newfound hope, affirming the

belief that we are all more free when we are treated as equals” (Obama). I believe the

legalization of same-sex marriage is a huge step in the right direction. I could never imagine not

being guaranteed a basic civil right such as marriage.

Being from the Netherlands myself, I thought it was really neat that the Netherlands was

the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2000 (Cameron and Berkowitz). There are only

22 countries where same-sex marriage is fully allowed. North America and Europe are the main
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countries that allow same-sex marriage with a few countries in South America. It’s wonderful to

see that many countries do allow same-sex marriage. But there are countries where homosexual

acts are legal, but marriage is not. There are still many countries that homosexual acts are illegal

– 65 countries. What can we do to help support those who are in countries where homosexual

acts are illegal? How awful to not be able to express yourself freely, to be in constant fear. I

know if I were in a country where homosexuality was illegal, I would be fearful for those around

me.

Something I thought was interesting was when the American Center for Law and Justice

called gay marriage a cancerous perversion that directly attacks the family, which is the most

vital cell in society (The Southern Poverty Law Center). Though this is a statement from 1991 – I

think that gay sexuality does not destroy families. I have personally seen same-sex couples

having families and having children. Their homes are filled with love and joy. For someone

coming out to their parents for example, it still shouldn’t destroy a family. It’s just how people

react to someone coming out.

My younger brother recently came out as gay last year. Though most people in our family

had an idea that he was gay, no one questioned him before he came to us. It was interesting to

see how some people in my family portrayed gay people before my brother came out – and how

they reacted after he told everyone. It is such a sensitive topic, but I think in today’s age, people

shouldn’t feel ashamed or embarrassed to express their sexual orientation.

Just recently there was a University that opted out of having the Chick-fil-La franchise in

their campus because of the company’s stand in the LGBQT community. The students of the

University were sent surveys to get feedback on dining options. “Chick-fil-A was not an option

this time, because of the company’s record widely perceived to be in opposition to the LGBQT
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community” (Richards, 2018). I found is interesting that the University students would opt out of

such a popular chain because of the statements the CEO has given on his stance of the LGBQT

community. Thinking about it, I can understand the people wouldn’t want to support such a

business. Even if they do have delicious chicken.

The international side of the LGBQT community has moved forward as well, mostly in

Europe though. “The French National Assembly passed legislation removing the surgical

requirement for people who want to change their gender on official documents” (Liu and

Christian). Transgenders are fighting their way through the legal process and the laws. It’s great

to read that in some countries you do not have to disclose any medical documentation to have

your gender legally changed on any documents.

It’s crazy to think that other people, laws and legislation have so much control over what

we can freely do with our sexual orientation. I believe that people should be able to freely

express themselves no matter what. If you don’t agree with someone, just let it be. It’s not your

business to be involved with some else’s decisions, that don’t include you.
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Works Cited

Allred, Kimberly. 24 October 2018. LGBQT Discussion Week 10. Accessed 30 November 2018.

Cameron, Darla & Berkowitz, Bonnie. 14 June 2016. The state of gay rights around the world.

Retrieved from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/world/gay-rights/?noredirect=on

Horrocks, Alli. 25 October 2018. LGBQT Discussion Week 10. Accessed 30 November 2018.

Liu, Chein-yu & Christian Arli. 21 October 2016. French Law Removes the Surgical

Requirement for Legal Gender Recognition. Retrieved from:

https://transequality.org/blog/french-law-removes-the-surgical-requirement-for-legal-gender-

recognition

Matthew Shepard Foundation. 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.matthewshepard.org/about-us/

Obama, Barak. 31 May 2016. Presidential Proclamation – LGBQT Pride Month.

The Southern Poverty Law Center. 28 April 2005. Retrieved from:

https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2005/history-anti-gay-movement-

1977

Richards, Kimberley. 28 November 2018. University Removes Chick-fil-A as dining Option,

Citing Chain’s LGBQT stance. Retrieved from: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/chick-fil-

a-rider-university-new-jersey_us_5bfef140e4b0e254c926fe8d