LGBT inequality By: kate Mcclamroch

The initialism LGBT stands for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. In the United States and all around the world this term is widely used throughout daily life. The many who might be gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender are constantly treated poorly and are looked upon very differently than others. They are mostly always discriminated for their choice in gender or attraction to. Many of LGBT people’s basic rights are taken from them and are continuously targeted. Some examples are, “Execution by the state… Denial of employment, housing or health services… Loss of custody of children… Threats for campaigning for LGBT human rights… Regular subjection to verbal abuse.” (amnestyusa.org). The struggle of many LGBT members has been occurring for a long time and many helpful organizations have started to contribute to LGBT. However even though the United States has ruled that same-sex marriage is legal, LGBT Americans are still denied their basic rights. In addition these LGBT members and many more supporters still have protests today to try and secure their own human rights. As President Obama said, “When all Americans are treated equal, we are all more free.” (bbc.com). This saying is what thousands of LGBT people and some Americans follow into everyday life. But unfortunately lots of extra people are against this independent saying, trusting its strange and unconstitutional.

“When all Americans are treated equal, we are all more free" -Barack Obama

LGBT and intermarriage between whites and blacks during the Civil Rights Movement are both similar because the people involved in both scenarios are treated differently. Another reason is similarly both happen to restrict the freedoms of many individuals.During the Civil Rights Movement laws restricted black and whites from getting married. This happened to change to lives of countless people. If a white man or woman was caught having relations with a black man or woman they would forever be shunned. “A White woman faced rejection by her family and disgrace in the eyes of White society for having a child by a black father.”(questia.com). Unfortunately numerous people were caught with this offense of marriage with another race. And when this happened families would exile them and they were forever be treated differently for falling for the opposite race. In addition for LGBT members, when they come out and explain to their families some respect their wishes. However multiple more think of their so called daughter or son in a different way. Sadley many families again shun their now gay, lesbian, bisexul, or transgender child. And when the time comes for their neighbors or other friends to know, some treat them very negatively.

In addition both LGBT and intermarriage during the CRM similarly restrict the rights and freedoms of many people. Any basic human right of any citizen is to allow them to marry anyone of their choosing. However interwoven into the Jim Crow Laws one very strict rule was that no white American could marry a black person. (ferris.edu). This surprisingly limited a bunch of freedoms and basic rights of many Americans. Thousands of people were in love and possibly married to the opposite race, this law tore them away from each other. And unfortunately if a black person was found to have relations to a white person, no matter the gender, the black person was always the one who got a punishment. For LGBT individuals, even though they were allowed to get married, just going into the public eye can spark problems. “Many LGBT people when simply going about their daily activities.” (hrc.org). LGBT people are constantly not just looked upon differently but also harassed and are denied their basic rights. Even walking outside when people are around can cause a ruckus. In fact several LGBT individuals are scared to go about their lives because of the amount of discrimination. Because of this their freedoms of enjoying their lives are reduced to a small amount. In conclusion, LGBT and intermarriage during the CRM are similar for many reasons.

I believe that marriage isn't between a man and a woman; but between love and love."

- Frank Ocean

Although LGBT and intermarriage between whites and blacks are similar they are also very different. One reason is that LGBT inequality and harassment affects all ages, genders, and races while intermarriage in the CRM only focused on blacks and whites. Another reason is because today the kinds of harassment and struggles for LGBT are very different than the ones for black and white marriage in the 1960’s. During the CRM and Jim Crow Laws most of every marriage law or restriction costed the lives of almost only blacks and whites. The intermarriage Jim Crow Law in numerous Southern states stated it was unlawful for a white person to marry anyone but another white person. (ferris.edu) However most states didn’t write that any other race couldn’t be married to a white person, only a black person. Furthermore LGBT harassment affects all ages, genders, and races. Today hundreds of thousands experience transitions of gender preference all over the world. As LGBT stands for all gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, the kinds of discrimination can affect any LGBT person.(UCDavis.edu). No matter the gender, age, or race if someone is LGBT then the effects of inequality can reach them.

Today in 2017 the ways of harassment and discrimination have changed dramatically, more than in the 1960’s. During the Civil Rights Movement and the laws against black and white marriage if being caught with this offense there were consequences. One couple, a black woman and a white man, “... were thrown into jail… they were arrested and found guilty.”(pbs.org). This wasn’t the only interracial couple who was arrested and forced into jail. Countless desegregated pairs were found guilty of a serious crime, and were informed that they were felons. However fortunately this was the harshest thing down to these interracial couples. However today in the modern world new ways to hurt others come but everyday. Bullying has been a very big problem for a lot of individuals, including cyber bullying. With the new technology bullies are finding more ways to tear down others. Especially with LGBT lots of bullies target these people, which affects the victims a lot more than people might think. “Gay teens are 8.4 times more likely to report having attempted suicide and 5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression.” (stompoutbullying.org). Back in the 1960’s there wasn’t a high level of technology and even if there was it was never used for this purpose of bullying. Now with twitter, sonapchat, instagram, facebook, and other internet sites any bully can target any LGBT individual. These bullies can point fingers at a person and say or post harming things. This cyber bullying can affect someone’s whole life by reducing their confidence and strength. In addition bullying doesn’t just affect LGBT teens but also can impact adults, by saying something personally to them. In conclusion interracial marriage and LGBT are extremely separate for numerous causes.

Homophobic bullying must not be tolerated

The issue of stopping LGBT intimidation is intensely needed in the world. Any ordinary citizen can help with this problem by joining any protests that occur. As well as contribute to an organization that is standing up for LGBT rights or supporting them. Just doing a bit of work for LGBT’s can help them get a step closer to their guaranteed opportunities. Fortunately today there are many LGBT organizations helping out. One major one is Human Rights Campaign which is the largest LGBT civil rights advocacy group that represents a force of more than 1.5 million members and supporters. Their motive is working for lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender to ensure equal rights. The Human Rights Campaign sees a world with everyone having equal rights that can be safe at home, at work, and in their communities. Fo far what the HRC has done is improve the lives of many LGBT people by supporting their families and friends along with co-workers, doctors, teachers, and many more. Furthermore they are changing the hearts and minds of numerous people across the globe.(hrc.org). Another LGBT organization is Glaad, their motive is to change the culture of the world by having protests and leading the conversation. Glaad works through entertainment, news, and digital media to share stories from the LGBT community, this strategy increases acceptance. (Glaad.org). Overall, on every organization website supporting LGBT anyone can donate to raise awareness for this huge impacting problem of non-acceptance. And most of every organization wishes to change to public idea of gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexuals. As well as protest to get the world’s attention to show how big of a conflict this is. Again everyday people can get involved by supporting or donating to an organization such as Glaad or the Human Rights Campaign. Today LGBT inequality is an impacting predicament however in the future hopefully more people warm up to these people and realize that they are wrong. As a closing statement everyone in the world should be treated equally no matter the gender or preference of sex.

Works Cited

"About LGBT Human Rights." Amnesty International USA. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2017.

"Anti-Gay Bullying." STOMP Out Bullying. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2017.

Campaign, Human Rights. "About Us." Human Rights Campaign. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2017.

Campaign, Human Rights. "Report: LGBT Americans Still Face Wide-Spread Inequality." Human Rights Campaign. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2017.

"Examples of Jim Crow Laws - October 1960 - Civil Rights - A Jackson Sun Special Report." Examples of Jim Crow Laws - October 1960 - Civil Rights - A Jackson Sun Special Report. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2017.

"Hillary Clinton on LGBT Rights and Equality." Hillary for America. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2017.

"Interracial Relationships That Changed History." PBS. Public Broadcasting Service, n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2017.

"Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual Resource Center." LGBTQIA Resource Center Glossary | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual Resource Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2017.

McClain, Carol Shepherd. "Family Stories: Black/White Marriage during the 1960s." The Western Journal of Black Studies. The Western Journal of Black Studies, 01 Jan. 2011. Web. 20 Mar. 2017.

N.p., n.d. Web.

"Our Work." GLAAD. N.p., 13 Jan. 2017. Web. 22 Mar. 2017.

"Title IX Guidance for Transgender Students Rescinded." PFLAG. N.p., 24 Feb. 2017. Web. 23 Mar. 2017.

"US Supreme Court Rules Gay Marriage Is Legal Nationwide." BBC News. BBC, 27 June 2015. Web. 22 Mar. 2017.

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