Social Issues Surrounding The Equality Act

The Equality Act

Julianne Creed

Northwest Christian High School

English III/H

Dr. Yoder

February 25, 2022

Abstract

America has been struggling with how to address LGBTQ rights for decades. The Equality Act, however, has settled some disputes in this area. Today, the LGBTQ community faces discrimination and violence daily. They are forced to deal with the mental and physical pain that this causes. The Bible explains that homosexuality is a sin and is wrong, but it also calls everyone to treat each other equally and fairly, no matter their sin. God created everyone equally and does not see any sin as worse than another, so society should be viewing people like this as well. The Equality Act has positively affected America because it has

For example, LGBTQ individuals face several challenges regarding becoming homeless and also trying to avoid becoming homeless, (Earl K. long Library, 2022). This community endures rejection and discrimination that results in becoming homeless. If their families and friends refuse to accept their identity, it causes mental and physical pain. This eventually leads to either getting kicked out of their home or making the personal decision to leave. This all happens just because of the way that someone identifies. Another issue that needs to be addressed regarding LGBTQ discrimination is that people feel the need to hide their identity in fear of judgment or rejection. According to JL Heinze, “More than 50% of LGBTQ workers reported having to hide the nature of their personal relationships or romantic relationships out of fear of hostility at work, while approximately one-fourth altered aspects of their personal or work lives in an attempt to avoid discrimination, (para. 12, 2021). This quote showcases the mental and physical toll that discrimination takes on people. LGBTQ individuals feel that they have or change themselves in order to be accepted or treated fairly by society. Also, it is not just a few people that struggle with this. Fifty percent of the community hide who they are to avoid judgment and violence. This is exactly what the equality act was created for: to

Statistics show that LGBTQ individuals are four times more likely to experience violence compared to people who are straight, (Heinze, 2021). The assault committed against these people not only leaves physical scars, but also mental and emotional scars. Violence against anyone is ever justified. People make excuses justifying brutality such as, “Well, they deserve it,” or, “They will get over it.” No one deserves violence, especially because of the way they identify. Gender identity is a personal choice that society needs to learn to respect. This is precisely what the Equality Act was made to enforce. Another way that violence affects the LGBTQ community is murder. “A record breaking number of murders against trans people occurred in 2020,” (Heinze, para. 4, 2021). Someone being murdered because of their gender is outrageous. These people are innocent and have not done anything to intentionally harm others or society. This should make it obvious that the Equality Act is much needed to set society straight. Ending discrimination based on sexual orientation will, in turn, end violence against LGBTQ individuals, since violence is a form of discrimination. No one deserves to be abused for any reason, especially because of the way they