Stereotypes: What Are Stumbling Blocks Of LGBTQ?

Jasmine Shrestha

John Remarek

18 October 2017

Diamond

Stumbling blocks of LGBTQ

The LGBTQ people have been recorded since the very beginning of almost all cultures across human history. The acronym “LGBTQ” stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer. LGBTQ is used to emphasize the diverse sexuality and gender-based cultures. Lesbian is referred to a woman who experiences romantic love with another woman. Gay is a term that primarily refers to a man who is sexually attracted to another man. Bisexual is a romantic attraction towards both males and females. Transgender refers to a person whose sense of personal identity and gender differs from their birth sex. Queer is a term that includes the people who are not specific about their

“About 50% of the LGBT teens experience a negative reaction from their parents when they come out; 30% of them experience physical abuse, and 26% are kicked out of their homes” (Friedman). LGBTQ students often get harassed at schools and colleges. According to Sara Kost, studies done by Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) report that nearly 9 out of 10 LGBT students face harassment. The 2007 National School Climate Survey found that LGBT students were not only harassed, but 31.7% of LGBT students missed a class and 32.7% missed a day of school because of feeling unsafe.” (Subhrajit). Verbal harassments, street harassments and casual homophobic comments experienced by LGBT people are common in societies. According to Stop Street Harassment survey, it was found that 25% of LGBTQ people experienced street harassment, 18% of them experienced verbal harassment and 16% of them experienced physically aggressive forms. LGBT people often get discriminated and ignored in the workplace as well. Discrimination is considered to be the major reason for their job instability which results in unemployment, poverty, etc. It causes socio-economic inequalities in the society. “While LGBT adults say society is more accepting, just 19% say there is “a lot” of social acceptance today and many say they have been victims of discrimination, such as being subject to slurs or jokes, or suffering rejection by a family member.”