Sexual Preference and Discrimination
Homosexuals are found in all walks of life, at all social and economic levels, and in all cultural groups. They are diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, age, parenthood, relationships, careers, health, education, and sexual behavior. (Coon 578-579) They have been around since the dawn of time. It has not been until the 1970s that psychiatrists and psychologists have recognized that homosexuality was not some sort of mental disorder. Stereotypes like this are inaccurate and create much of the difficulty that homosexuals face.
There are currently over 21 million Americans that are either gay and ***, not counting an unknown number of people who consider themselves bisexual. The 2000 census found that same-sex couples live in 99.3% of all counties in the United States. (Human Rights Campaign) Research shows that there has not been an increase in homosexual activities or experiences, but rather an increase in the candor with which sexual preference is discussed and displayed. Taking these statistics into consideration one would think that discrimination against homosexuals would be non-existent. There are still large numbers of people who think homosexuality is deviant and that it is sick, immoral, sinful, perverted, and abnormal. (Newman 207, 216, 251)
There are many forms of discrimination against gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. They are discriminated against in every aspect of their lives. Every homosexual has been discriminated against at least once in their lifetime, maybe as often as once daily, whether it be verbal, physical (such as hate crimes), or just silent disapproval.
The Homosexual Rights Movement seeks to eliminate sodomy laws barring homosexual acts between consenting adults. It also calls for an end to discrimination against homosexuals in all walks of life. The ultimate aim of the civil rights movement is to encourage society’s tolerance and acceptance of homosexuality.
The U.S. Senate defeated the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The ENDA granted homosexuals rights and protections in the workplace. (Concerned Women For America) As of 1996, any homosexual American can be legally fired from their jobs or careers just because of their sexual orientation. Employment discrimination is the most common complaint received by the American Civil Liberties Union from gays and lesbians. (Robinson) Homosexuals were reported to have higher average household income, higher college graduation rates, and highest rate of workers in professional or management positions. The argument is that since they have higher percentages they have no need of civil rights protection in employment. According to national average and not because they are a select group, homosexuals (gay and ***) earn less than they would if heterosexual. In 2004, the U.S. Accounting Office determined that over 1,000 rules and regulations exist in determining a person’s eligibility to receive benefits, rights, and privileges. Most benefits are denied to homosexuals and their partners because of their sexual orientations; they are mainly denied all health benefits, death pensions, and FMLA.
The Human Rights Campaign states that over 8000 employers and 215 Fortune 500 companies now provide domestic partner benefits for gay and *** workers. But most states, 42 at the most, have made refusal explicit by enacting statutes that define marriage as being between one woman and one man or including bans in the state constitutions. (Newman 207, 216, 251) Most homosexuals do not convert others to homosexuality, molest children, they are not mentally ill, they do not hate others of the opposite sex, and they do not make their children gay. They can have long term caring, monogamous relationships and can contribute about the same to society as heterosexuals.
Gays, lesbians, and bisexuals are denied the right to a civil marriage, which would then open the door to being able to receive all employment benefits. The main arguments of homosexual marriage is that it should be an institution between one man and one woman only, it’s not the best environment to raise children, relationships are immoral, and marriage should be about procreation. In reality homosexuals are loyal to their partners, they value family, and they honor and abide by the laws. In countries such as Denmark, various forms of homosexual marriage has been legal for years. Since gays, lesbians, and bisexuals cannot marry within most states partners are not able to make decisions for loved ones in case of an emergency. Wills and powers of attorney have been known to be broken if a family challenges the life partner. If a homosexual is put into jail a partner may be required to testify against the loved one whereas legally married couples are not required to.
If a single or homosexual couple decide to adopt children there is an above average chance that some discrimination will occur. Adoption is a controversial issue for homosexuals concerning whether there will be negative consequences to the child. Children can be hurt mentally and physically by others who are uncomfortable with a parent’s sexual identity. Studies show that children with same-sex parents do as well as children who are raised in traditional families. (Newman 207; 216, 251) Officially there is only one state that can ban gays and lesbians from adopting children and that is Florida. There is no concrete evidence that homosexuals are unfit to be parents. A parents ability to provide for the child and to create a loving home is not and should not be influenced by sexual preference.
Bill Clinton introduced the “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” policy in 1993. The policy prohibits anyone who has sexual bodily or romantic contact with a person of the same sex from serving the armed forces and prohibits any homosexual or bisexual from disclosing his or her sexual orientation, or from speaking about any homosexual relationships, including marriages while serving in the military. In 2005, 742 people in the military were discharged because of the “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” policy. Three polls show that a large majority of the American public favors letting gays, lesbians, and bisexuals into the U.S. Military. (Wikipedia)
Another form of discrimination comes in the form of hate crimes. The official definition of a hate crime is criminal actions intended to harm or intimidate people because of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or other minority group status. One of the most famous homosexual hate crimes today would be the story of Mathew Shepard. He was lured from a campus bar on October 7th by “ two gay” men. He was tied to a fence, beaten, and pistol-whipped by his attackers. He was then left for dead in freezing temperatures. He died on October 12th with his family at his bedside. He was so badly injured that doctors were unable to operate. Out of 450 lesbians, gays, and bisexuals one-third of them have been a victim of a crime based on sexual orientation. 16.6% of hate crimes were the result of a sexual orientation bias. (The varieties of Hate Crime Victimization)
Homosexuals deserve to have the same rights as heterosexuals because we are all human beings. We all deserve to be treated fairly and in a respected manner. In most countries homosexuality is a ‘no-no’ subject. Millions of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals are out of the closet and are now campaigning to get the same rights that are given to the heterosexuals.
“Each individuals journey through life is unique. Some will make this journey alone, others in loving relationships -maybe in marriage or other forms of commitment. We need to ponder our own choices and try to understand the choices of others. Love has many shapes and colors and is not finite. It can not be measured or defined in terms of sexual orientation.” (Robinson)