Are Lesbians As A Minority Group Disadvantaged In The Contemporary USA?

To what extent are lesbians as a minority group disadvantaged in the contemporary USA?
While homosexuality was classified as crime and mental disease in the nineteen fifties, the gay and lesbian movement experienced a significant shift in the United States (Knauer 3) (Stein 1). These activists had a major impact on societies’ understanding of sexuality, love, sex, gender, marriage and family (Stein 1). Moreover, it paved the way for legal, political and social modifications (Stein 1). Because of the fighting movement, same-sex marriage has been legalized and many celebrities are now publicly gay (Knauer 9). Nevertheless, in religious USA many people consider same-sex relationships as abnormal, immoral, deplorable and sick (Stein 1). As there

As the movement was often collected under the term gay, some lesbian activists argued the necessity for another group name to represent women’s specific concerns (Stein 6). Consequently, feminine activists started referring to themselves as lesbians, which spread them from non-activists (Stein 6). Historically, the term stems from the Greek Island Lesbos, where the writer Sapphos lived and sent romantic poems to other women (Stein 6). A more modern description is, a woman who is sexually attracted to women (“lesbian”). In the United States women attracted to the same sex only make up 1.1 % of the population, which classifies them as a minority group (“How many people are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender?”). This term does not only define a smaller part of the whole but also as subdivision, whose views or actions differ from the main body of people (“minority”). Consequently, lesbians often undergo bullying, annoyance and violence (Stein 1). By examining the socioeconomic, governmental and societal aspects of lesbian’s life this essay will

The stigma of lesbians has survived over decades and is still present. As some studies indicate, there is dissimilarity in occupational, monetary and wealth matters between women of sexual minorities and the rest of the population. The lack of social acceptance and support can be brought in connection with severe health problems of lesbian as well as the unequal governmental treatment, urge for adjustments. Some recent studies all reveal the importance of health awareness for the public and health care providers. Therefore, preventive programs in the media, schools and other educational institutions could soften the stigma of lesbians. Another important action would be the support for parents in dealing with their children after they came to avoid mental illness or even suicide attempts. In the near future, lesbians fear an inverse development as the new President is rather conservative and religious. It is hoped that the democratic pole will hold the balance and protect sexual minorities as lesbians in the contemporary US. Thus, different social and political influences of Americans make it hard to lesbians to be accepted as an equal part in today’s