LGBTQ+ Rights are Human Rights
- We Unite
- Aug 5, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 6, 2020
"Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it's a good place to start." -Jason Collins, first openly gay athlete in U.S. pro sports
Despite 4.5% of the US population identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, these people face discrimination continuously.
There is no end to the abuse LGBTQ+ people are forced to go through, ranging from derogatory comments on the street to even execution. Violence, arrest, medical abuse, bullying, execution, and discrimination are things they go through every day.
Numerous stories have come about which highlight the fact that LGBTQ people are denied entrance and acceptance in hospitals, even though they have symptoms.
Many times LGBTQ+ people are kicked out by their parents, simply because ‘Society won't approve.’ They are left homeless and alone and are left off to survive and fend for themselves. They struggle to make ends meet and are forced to establish economic independence. Numerous violent groups chase and beat them, often killing them. They are seen as street urchins that need to be gotten rid of and at times governments sponsor campaigns to encourage this. A state-sponsored campaign in Chechnya targeted gay men, who were abducted, tortured, and even killed. LGBTQ+ activists are also targeted and beaten black and blue. LGBTQ+ people in Africa lead a life of fear and terror, if they are found out they are beaten and murdered.
Some countries have gone so far as to declare sexuality a crime and LGBTQ+ people criminals, as they are arrested on the basis of unjust laws and lead a life of complete misery.
Recently, Trump issued a new regulation imposing hard-line restrictions on asylum seekers belonging to the LGBTQ+ community. The right to housing and a decent lifestyle is an indispensable human right and this is being denied to these people.
There are many ways that LGBTQ+ people are denied legal rights. One example being that there’s currently no law preventing rejection and firing from a job due to one’s sexuality. Some other ways they are legally restricted are being denied the right to marry and being denied custody of their child. From job security, housing, medical care, custody, and marriage, they are discriminated against in all walks of life.
Despite all this, there is no legal protection provided to them. The 1996 Romer v. Evans decision is a prime example. The US Supreme Court rejected an amendment urging for the protection of LGBT people against discrimination. Much like our race, color, and nationality, our sexuality is also something we don’t have control over, it’s just who we are and the way we are.
Sexism does not only refer to discrimination faced by men and women but also the discrimination and equality people belonging to the LGBTQ+ community face on a daily basis. They too are discriminated against on the basis of their gender.
It’s the 21st century and the world has progressed immensely in all dimensions but our mentality is still orthodox. We must learn to accept and respect people for who they are, whatever their sexuality may be.
The social stigma must change!
Learn more about the LGBTQ+ community through this link: https://lgbtq.carrd.co
Sources:
Written by Risha Chaurasia
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