LGBT is a term that has been advocated to be used by the journalists in United States and other English speaking countries about topics regarding gender identity and sexuality. The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender residents in the United States face a lot of social problems in the country as compared to non-LGBT residents in the same region. These challenges range from issues associated with housing facilities, job opportunities, as well as jurisdiction. This, in turn, has led to discrimination of LGBT in job promotion, hiring, termination, job assignment, and all types of violence such as harassment and compensation of property in most states in America. LGBT residents experience both physical and psychological pain, which may even result in murder. The United States have legalized same-sex marriages, so those violating them are considered to be acting hate crime, which is against the law.
The presence of violence and discrimination of LGBT residents in the U.S. has adversely affected the lives of LGBT people in the country (Browne and Nash, 324). Victims may experience difficulties in education, resulting in lack of job opportunities in the future. In contrast, in other cases, the victims may commit suicide due to the violence and discrimination they face in different sectors. All these factors affect the growth of the economy in one way or the other, leading to slow growth. Isolation affects LGBT people psychologically. Physical injuries are as well seen as many victims get bullied by those who are anti-LGBT. Besides, others may have their properties damaged, bearing in mind that they don’t get compensated to the extent of some being stolen.
Despite all these problems, solutions have been figured out to help the LIGHT residents in the United States. The Supreme Court made a federal solution stating that the government of the United States should fully protect heterosexual families (Keck, 151). The decisions made by the Supreme Court led to various discussions as people are divided on the issue of defending LGBT rights. This proves that creating State laws will help address the policy of LGBT equality in the states. This is facing a lot of challenges due to the presence of anti-LGBT who are great allies of these families. On the other hand, it is the duty of the locals, the states and the national government to fight anti-LGBT mentality and to create awareness that the LGBT families enjoy their rights free from discrimination due to their gender identity or sexual orientation.
The State laws created in the U.S. are faced by some challenges which weaken their ability to promote LGBT equality in all the states. This is so because there are some states that do not have these state laws outlawing the discrimination nationwide but instead has federal executive orders which are considered to have a more limited scope as compared to protection by State laws. Therefore, the state is facing challenges in protecting the victims from issues of discrimination in jobs, housing, public amenities, among other needs. The anti-LGBT have certainly formed some associations fighting against granting the victims their legal rights in the country (Keck, 156). Some of these organizations are so superior hence paralyzing the process of State law created in the state. THESIS: Violence and discrimination against LGBT individuals is rampant in most countries especially the United States but State laws are simple, successful; and practical in solving the problem for they have showcased both short-term and long-term benefits.
Different reports, books, journals and publications on the problem prove that violence and discrimination is present in various countries around the world. LGBT people are perceived differently in various nations across the world. European nations associate LGBT with security in the countries as they are new forms of sexuality. These new forms are perceived to be a threat to the national identity of individuals living in these nations. The narrative of countries is destabilized by the threats made these types of sexuality on people`s identity. The tracing of national policies applied to repress LGBT revealed that people possessing these forms of sexual orientations are a threat to national security. In Phillip`s (2014) Journal of Human Rights, “With arms wide shut: Threat perception, norm reception, and mobilized resistance to LGBT rights,” Philip highlights that homosexuality is aimed at destroying civilization in the countries it was practiced (339). LGBT, especially those who advocated for same-sex marriages, experienced hardships in Canada in the past. The society did not value their input in class or any other sector. Parents in Canada did not love some of the teachings children were receiving in school. Parents objected to the idea of teaching their children regarding LGBT inequalities.
Discussions such as ethical teaching and divergent beliefs helped children to think for themselves and make informed decisions regarding the issues taught in class. A 2014 journal of human rights by Kathrine Browne, and Catherine J. Nash titled “Resisting LGBT rights where we have won: Canada and Great Britain,” indicates that there were several court cases associated with what children were being taught in class because parents felt it was inappropriate for schools to teach their children materials related to same-sex marriages (329). The idea of same-sex marriages was met with hostility due to the war between faith and secularism. On the other hand, the decision to incorporate same-sex marriages as a constitutional right in Britain citizens was a form of reiteration against privileged individuals. They practiced heterosexuality (Browne and Nash, 330). Britain seemed to follow Canada`s decision, and the Supreme court advised people not to be homophobic. The scenario in both Canada and Britain confirms the presence of discrimination against LGBT.
State laws aimed at protecting LGBT rights will be successful as showcased in Britain, Argentina, Canada, and Brazil. A 2014 journal of human rights by Kathrine Browne, and Catherine J. Nash titled “Resisting LGBT rights where we have won: Canada and Great Britain,” is for the idea that strict laws help deal with the issue of discrimination as implemented State laws will make people refrain from discriminating against LGBT. State laws protecting LGBT have evolved with time to cover the main crucial areas such as violence and discrimination against people. The state laws in question need to provide severe punishments to those discriminating the LGBT community. State laws should need to recognize LGBT individuals as members of the society and consider any violence or discrimination towards them to be hate crime thus issue harsher punishments as way of deterrence. States that have not adopted laws protecting LGBT people expose them to various types of danger, including mental, physical, verbal harm, and abuse in society. LGBT faced negative criticism from those practicing heterosexuality. The decision to allow same-sex marriages in Canada did not protect LGBT people but made them targets (Browne and Nash, 331). The transnational opposition towards LGBT showcased in Britain, and China proved the importance of enacting strict measures and policies to protect LGBT people. Organizations in Britain and Canada opposed the idea of legalizing same-sex, but the government considered promoting the rights of all the people living in those countries.
In Javier Corrales` 2015 study, “The politics of LGBT rights in Latin America and the Caribbean: Research agendas,” Corrales states that according to the Canadian Supreme Court, those engaging in same-sex had equal rights as the rest of the people living in the country. LGBT rights have evolved in many nations across the world, with some portraying remarkable progress. According to Javier Corrales` 2015 study, “The politics of LGBT rights in Latin America and the Caribbean: Research agendas,” nations such as Brazil and Argentina LGBT have a different life compared to those in countries that have not embraced LGBT rights (54).
Besides, some states such as Santiago and Bogota have fully adopted LGBT rights, thus showcasing a high level of democracy in the cities compared to those areas believed to possess advanced degrees of freedom. Some of the most effective tools being employed in these countries and cities include powerful social movements advocating for LGBT rights, hate-crime laws, anti-discriminatory laws, supreme courts, among others (Corrales, 54). It is evident from Britain, Argentina, Canada, and Brazil, among other nations, laws formulated to protect LGBT have showcased positive progress. Despite there being challenges, federal judges are active when implemented, for they govern a lesser population compared to state laws.
Educating the public on the rights of LGBT individuals is a simple way of dealing with the problem as it will increase people`s awareness on the matter. People need to be taught and enlightened on the importance of protecting LGBT rights. All nations across the globe should strive to inform their citizens regarding LGBT people. Awareness will help people understand the personal differences they possess and help them accept others regardless of their sexual orientation. According to Mutua-Mambo, (2020) in Living in a Liminal Space: Feminist and LGBT Alliances in Kenya, most countries, including some from Africa such as Kenya, have adopted transgender people into their system. Governments should include them in their budgets, and policies to ensure that transgender people are recognized as members of the society. However, creating strict state laws with harsh punishments and heavy fines for those who break the rules is the best solution of solving the issue of discrimination and violence against LGBT people. This is because some people could assume or misinterpret the information which the government issues. Harsh punishments will make everyone adhere to the strict state laws.
The practicality of the solution is based on the results it has showcased in countries where it has been implemented. In Javier Corrales` 2015 study, “The politics of LGBT rights in Latin America and the Caribbean: Research agendas,” Corrales discovered that the use of the law is a practical solution since people will refrain from discriminating against LGBT people to avoid legal actions being taken on them. When governments interfere in problems, people tend to adhere to policies formulated regardless of whether it is not acceptable by all people in the country, including the conservative groups (Corrales, 56). It is illogical to believe in the idea that all people will appreciate and accept LGBT individuals in society. Thus using the law is the most effective way of ensuring that LGBT individuals are protected in all nations. LGBT rights groups have gained popularity in most countries across the globe, thus making governments evaluate the importance of having State laws aimed at solving discrimination against LGBT individuals.
The short-term consequences associated with the creation of strict State laws protecting LGBT rights would be fewer cases of discrimination as people will have to accept and respect other people`s sexual orientations in society. A study by Stephanie, Dolamore, and Lorenda A. Naylor titled “Providing solutions to LGBT homeless youth: Lessons from Baltimores youth empowered society,” highlighted that the LGBT community has always felt been left out in most nations, for they are not recognized by the state laws governing those countries. LBGT people are made targets of violence and are perceived to be second-class citizens in nations that have not adopted anti-discriminatory laws against the LGBT community (Dolamore, and Naylor, 595). The long-term result in creating federal policies to protect LGBT people will be peace in nations where LGBT people feel oppressed by the rest of society. When LGBT are fully recognized in the constitution, they refrain from demanding their rights. LGBT rights organizations conduct demonstrations whenever any colleague is subjected to discrimination or any form of violence. Human rights activists have always made controversial arguments regarding the oppression of LGBT individuals. Social right organizations always advocate for equality by holding peaceful demonstrations that turn out to be chaotic.
The solution faces different objections as those against LGBT express their concerns over protecting the LGBT community using different ideologies. In Javier Corrales` 2015 study, “The politics of LGBT rights in Latin America and the Caribbean: Research agendas,” Corrales established that the conflict between religion and LGBT individuals is a significant factor that makes it hard for LGBT rights to be embraced in different nations. The decision to advance LGBT rights leads to an unhealthy relationship between the church and the state (Corrales, 54). This is because the state recognizes the LGBT community while the church does not support LGBT rights. According to the church, LGBT rights are against faith and the teachings of God. According to states which have allowed their constitutions to cater to LGBT rights, LGBT people belong to a minority group that needs to be safeguarded from fundamentalist Christians. Religious actors have always been against the idea of expanding LGBT rights. Faith-based actors in the Caribbean and Latin America have created alliances to fight the efforts made to advance LGBT rights in those regions (Corrales, 55).
Establishing policies that safeguard the interest of the LGBT community is an alternate proposal worth considering in the country. The enforcement of anti-discriminatory policies is one of the alternate proposals that could be effective in dealing with discrimination of LGBT people. The Equity Act in the United States is among the strategies that will help deal with the wrong perception of people regarding their sexual orientation, ethnic backgrounds, and other personal differences (Dolamore and Naylor, 600). The bill seeks to promote equality among the citizens in the United States. The Anti-Bulling Bill introduced in the United States will also help LGBT people, especially the youth who are bullied in different places such as learning institutions and other public areas, including parks and playing grounds. All individuals need to be protected from bullying.
In conclusion, LGBT people belong to the minority, thus are prone to discrimination and violence in most countries across the world. The challenges facing LGBT people can be solved through enacting State laws that advance their protection in specific states. These laws need to interpret any act of violence or discrimination against LGBT community as crime and issue heavy penalties to the law offenders such as huge fines and a considerable time in prison depending on the level of the crime committed. Some nations have developed policies and regulations, thus making a positive impact on the LGBT communities living in those nations. However, some countries have not adopted any policies aimed at protecting LGBT communities, thus endangering their lives. The progress associated with creating and implementing LGBT rights is faced with various challenges, including the lack of support from the church. If laws become a challenge, developing strategies such as anti-discriminatory policies will help deal with the problem at hand. Globally, LGBT rights have gained popularity, but more federal policies and strict state laws need to be enacted to safeguard the LGBT community.
Works Cited
Ayoub, Phillip M. “With arms wide shut: Threat perception, norm reception, and mobilized resistance to LGBT rights.” Journal of Human Rights 13.3 (2014): 337-362.
Browne, Katherine, and Catherine J. Nash. “Resisting LGBT rights where we have won: Canada and Great Britain.” Journal of Human Rights 13.3 (2014): 322-336.
Corrales, Javier. “The politics of LGBT rights in Latin America and the Caribbean: Research agendas.” European Review of Latin American and Caribbean Studies/Revista Europea de Estudios Latinoamericanos y del Caribe (2015): 53-62.
Dolamore, Stephanie, and Lorenda A. Naylor. “Providing solutions to LGBT homeless youth: Lessons from Baltimores youth empowered society.” Public Integrity 20.6 (2018): 595-610.
Keck, Thomas M. “Beyond backlash: Assessing the impact of judicial decisions on LGBT rights.” Law & Society Review 43.1 (2009): 151-186.
Mutua-Mambo, C. N. (2020). Living in a Liminal Space: Feminist and LGBT Alliances in Kenya. Women’s Studies in Communication, 1-6.