The LGBTQ
Community and Violence
Violence has always been in issue in our society, but lately
there has been a spike of crimes against the LGBTQ community. The most recent
hate crime has been the shooting at a gay night club in Orlando. This was
covered heavily in the news for a bit for two main reasons, it affected the gay
community and but was also a terrorist attack. CNN summarized it by writing “Mateen
carried an assault rifle and a pistol into the packed Pulse club about 2 a.m.
Sunday and started shooting, killing 49 people and wounding at least 53,
officials said.” This event truly affected
the LGBTQ community for many reasons.
First one comes to realize that although we are in a diverse society,
there are people that will go to extremes to break a group. Another thought is
that Mateen probably believed his actions were justified. This shooting was an attempt to break the LGBTQ
community. The article did state that Mateen was upset when he saw two men
kissing. With that in mind one can assume that Mateen had some Homophobia
tendencies. However there was also a man
who came out saying he was Mateen’s gay lover. If that is a fact then the LGBTQ
community should be aware that not even members of their own community commit
hate crimes against people who share a common interest. Overall sounds like Mateen
outlast against his community caused a lot of grief, and no one knows the real
reason behind it, but one should know that is just the beginning and one needs
to treats this as a warning and a lesson.
For more information on the shooting Click on the link below
for news article:
Another article
regarding violence and the LGBTQ community is about a gay couple who were
attacked. This recent article explains how a well-dressed man and some other individuals
confronted them and exchanged words, then proceeded to beat them. The
Huffington Post stated “According to Queerty, two men and six women allegedly
assaulted the men, ages 27 and 28, after asking the pair first if they were
‘fucking boyfriends’ and then if they were ‘dirty fags.’ One victim suffered a
bone fracture in his face that will require surgery, according to the
Philadelphia Inquirer.” This is another
clear cut example of a hate crime. The two men who were viciously attacked
wanted to remain anonymous. The attackers started off by discriminating this
couple and proceeded to take action. However, the action that was taken caused
serious damage and at the end does not change the whole situation. Hate crimes
need to come to a complete stop. Hate
crimes are committed by homophobic people who express their thoughts though
violence. This affects the LGBTQ community because the couple was on their way
to dinner they were attacked. The couple was innocently walking at the wrong
place at the wrong time. However even something as normal as walking to get
food can put a target on ones back because of who they love. Also this shows that people need to start
protecting themselves, in one way or another. It is one thing from instigating
a fight, and protecting one’s self. A non-lethal defense mechanism would be
best. Some examples are pepper spray, a taser, and maybe even take some self-defense
classes. The LGBTQ community needs to make a stand and let these attackers
know that they will no longer be a victim.
For more information on the attack Click on the link below
for news article:
The LGBTQ community is minority group and out of all the
minorities, they are the ones who have the most hate crimes. It is outrageous
to see as more people come out because it is more accepting now to come out,
but yet there are people who were to hurt the community. According to the New York
Times “Nearly a fifth of the 5,462 so-called single-bias hate crimes reported
to the F.B.I. in 2014 were because of the target’s sexual orientation, or, in
some cases, their perceived orientation. Ironically, part of the reason for
violence against L.G.B.T. people might have to do with a more accepting
attitude toward gays and lesbians in recent decades, say people who study hate
crimes.” Time is supposed to be moving forward, however education is still at a
standstill when it comes to the acceptance of the LGBTQ community. People
still define marriage as a bond between a man and woman. Others still think that there is some
negative connotation when it comes to the LGBTQ community. Finally people still
think that a man loving a man is morally wrong. People who believe this pass on
these ideas to any person who is easily convinced and/ or narrow-minded, naming
it impossible for society to evolve into a society where it is ok to discriminate.
This is telling society that it is ok to act violently against someone who is
different from one self. These articles are there to inform the community of
what is going on in their society. However these news articles should serve as
a public service announcement to the LGBTQ community, letting them know that it
is still not truly safe to be an openly gay person. One should always be aware
of their surroundings, however unfortunately for the LGBTQ community; they have
to be more aware because of all the violence against them. One important thing the community needs to do
as a whole is educate. Education will out way ignorance. People are committing
these hate crimes because they are naive and don’t know much about the LGBTQ
community. All they know is myths, what they hear from other naive people, and
what the religion institutions have told them. Those are bad sources when it
comes to the LGBTQ community, because they don’t know much and they are passing
bad information. It is like a bad butterfly effect and the consequences are
normal innocent people getting hurt. So the main thing is that we need to
educate people.
For more information on the hate crime statistics Click on
the link below for news article:
LGBTQ and Religion
In regards to religion and the LGBTQ community, it has been an
uphill battle since day one. Something
about Adam and Eve solidifies the idea that all relationships should be between
a man and woman. With that in mind
church and the LGBTQ community do not have a good relationship unless the church
is more modern. However we all have all encountered that group of very
conservative church members calming the LGBTQ community is all going to
hell. Although there ideology is that God
can only judge and that they should be good people that whole idea is thrown
out the window when they encounter someone from the LGBTQ community. For
example, man was kicked out of his church, why? Because, he was gay. The Huffington
Post writes “Dylan Settles posted a letter he reportedly received from Woods
Chapel General Baptist Church on Oct. 11 informing him that they had voted to
‘remove [his] name immediately from the church membership role.’ Their
reasoning? The fact that Settles had
‘made it known publicly, of [his] choice, to embrace the homosexual
lifestyle.’ Settles then shared the letter on Facebook.” How can one “serve the lord” but yet shun
people who are different. In reality, really conservative church members are
the ones who really cause the big problems. Anyone that is slightly different
the church is already condoning the person/ group. Most of these people follow a book that was
written and interpreted many years ago. It is not a bad thing to do so, or to
commit to fate, but where does it specifically say in the bible that
homosexuality is bad? Where is the proof for this backlash against the LGBTQ community?
If the whole idea of theism is based on love them how can the members hate?
These are all questions that require answers because the LGBTQ community should
have a right to practice religion regardless.
For more information in regards to the man who was kicked
out of church Click on the link below for news article:
Another example is the Pope. Pope Francis has been the more
accepting of the LGBTQ community. Pope Francis has been cordial with the LGBTQ
community, s for example The Advocate states “In 2013, asked by a journalist
about the presence of gay priests in the church, he said, ‘If someone is gay
and seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge?’” he has also done more
with the LGBTQ community than other popes, he has met with a transgender, he
has announced that the church should apologize about their behavior against
then and more. However, the acceptance
of the LGBTQ community did not last long because he put a ban on gay men who
want to be priest. As stated in the
advocate “Pope Francis… has approved a new Vatican document reaffirming that ‘persons
with homosexual tendencies’ are barred from Roman Catholic seminaries and the
priesthood. The document, called “The Gift of the Priestly Vocation,” was
released today, Catholic magazine America reports. It was written by the
Vatican’s Congregation for Clergy, and Pope Francis signed off on it.” the LGBTQ
community is now an “other” at this point. Pope Francis made it seem as if they
are accepted, and made it seem as if he truly cared about them, but completely
rejects them if they try entering his community. this is a huge step back for the LGBTQ
community because as soon as the relationship between the LGBTQ and the church
stared the foundation to build a relationship, this document destroyed it. Now
they are back to square one. it is not fair to discriminate someone for loving
who they love. It is also unfair to lead
on the LBGTQ community, just to break their hope at the end. Pope Francis acts as if he is ok with the LGBTQ
community, but if he truly was ok with them, why would he sign the
document. Because deep down the church
knows that there will never be a relationship between them.
For more information on pope Francis’s new ruling Click on
the link below for news article:
On the brighter side, people of the LGBTQ communities and
their allies have made several religious organizations, for the people who
don’t discriminate and love one another for who they truly are then they can
click on the web site below and can become members of organization. They have
FEW religions listed, so it is just of matter finding your religion.
church is not the only thing that harbors negative stigma
for the LGBTQ community it is also Christian schools. According to Fox News, some Christian
colleges are put on a shame list because they apply for exemptions on Title IX,
which basically states that no institute of education can discriminate based on
sex. What about trans genders? This
brings up a big issue for the trans genders community who want to attend these
schools. But realistically, their applications will probably be denied before
anything. There is a process to be put
on the shame list, and according to fox news “Shane Windmeyer, spokesperson for
Campus Pride, told The Christian Post via email that for a college to get on
the "shame list" and specifically the "absolute worst"
category an institution must have "received and/or applied for a Title IX
exemption to discriminate against LGBTQ youth" and/or "demonstrated
past history and track record of anti-LGBTQ actions, programs and practices." This is a new low, even for the whole
religion system. They are denying
education to transsexuals because they are different from them. they don’t
realize they are denying people. They are denying humans, because when it comes
down to it, we are all just humans. However the college does not see it as
that, they see it as protecting their religion.
they see it as right. When it comes down to it is not right, and overall
just shows how ignorant people truly are.
For more information on Christian schools Click on the link
below for news article:
LBTQ and Politics
At the moment politics is big, considering the new president
elect Donald trump. However lawmakers
and LGBTQ leaders want gun reform.it feels like the issue on reform has been in
the spotlight since the sandy hook incident. Now since the Orlando shooting at
the gay nightclub the LGBTQ community is making their voice even louder.
According to ABC7 News “State and local leaders and Equality California, the
nation's largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, waged a war against gun
violence on the steps of City Hall.” There are many arguments that say people
kill people and guns don’t kill people.
If that’s the case then why give the people an easier way of killing
people. The whole topic on gun safety reform has been an issue, from the
shooting in the movie theater to now and nothing has been done. Another
argument is that it is in the second amendment, and that we have the right to
bear arms. There is reason why a man that live in the middle of a city to own a
machine gun. The point of the reform is not to take away gun completely; it is
so it can make it harder to impossible for people who are unfit to own a gun.
If one is completely sane and responsible to own a gun then why make it a big
deal. Also the reform is to regulate what kind of weapons are in the hands of
people. Lawmankers want to rule out
heavy artillery, because it has done nothing but cause violence in places like
schools, movie theaters, night clubs and many more.
For more information on the push for gun control on the link
below for news article:
One of the main
things that in the news right now, is how is the Trump presidency going to
change the lives of the LGBTQ community. many fear that trump will somehow revoke
same sex marriage because he is determined to do a lot of things that go
against democracy. Now the LGBTQ
community is rushing their marriages before trump is in office because one
never knows. Marriage may have not the
same value to everyone, but it is cherished more for those who had to fight a
long battle to get married. For those couples who wanted to take their time
planning their beautiful event now have to rush. It takes the pleasure out of
planning, all because trump is the new president. Fortunately people have come together to make
it easier for those who now have limited time. Since times are now harder for some couples,
people have come together in order to make times less stressful, according to
The Advocate, “To help these couples, Mitzie Whelan, a ‘straight Midwesterner’
launched LoveTrumpsHate.com. The website offers a list of florists, bakers,
officiants, photographers, musicians, artists, and more who are offering
services for free or at a reduced rate.”
It’s good to see the community stand up for each other and help others
in need, but on the other hand it is depressing to see that there are still many
people out there will discriminate against the LGBTQ community. if one is rushing to get married and wants to
who is willing to help out in a rush basis they can always go on
lovetrumpshate.com to see what services will be provided. However since same
sex marriage is legal now, doesn’t mean it will always be. trump can always
find a way to revoke it again or make other laws that can make it impossible
for one to be married. For a man who has been married 3 times and has no
respect for marriage or monogamy, she should not have a say for those who do.
but he is the new president one needs to know that things can change for the
worse.
For more information on the vendors Click on the link below
for news article:
http://www.advocate.com/business/2016/12/10/vendors-offer-free-services-same-sex-couples-rushing-wed
though out the whole election the LGBTQ community made
comments on the news basically saying they were scared what a trump presidency
will do. however not all on the LGBTQ community was against trump. There is
some member of the LGBTQ community that actually voted for trump. Some would
say that is shocking, but then again, even Latinos voted for trump. The Huffington
Post claims the reason why members of the LGBTQ community voted for trump is
because of a theory called homonationalism.
Huffington Post defines homonationalism as “Homonationalism, coined by
Rutgers University professor Jasbir K. Puar in 2007 is, to put it simply, the
intersection of gay identity and nationalist ideology. As gay people have become “normalized” in
American consciousness through recent historical milestones like the repeal of
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in 2010 and the legalization of same-sex marriage in
June 2015, these victories have created space for the homonationalist American
who abandons intersectional activism and advocates racist, xenophobic,
capitalistic self-interest.” Basically homonationalism is being super
prideful of their country which makes it “acceptable” to be xenophobic, but yet
apart of the LGBTQ community. the LGBTQ community is to vote for whoever they
like, that is their right under this democratic society, but one would think
that a member of the LGBTQ community would not vote for someone so conservative
since they are the natural enemies of the LGBTQ community. the LGBTQ community should feel betrayed
because of these votes with in their members.
No one knows exactly what trump has in mind, but the most know that it
is not for the common good for the community as a whole. Look at the vice president he elected Pence,
he believed in conversion therapy, and even funded it. that man is second in
charge yet some LGBTQ members voted for him.
It’s safe to say most of the LGBTQ community does not like the new
president s for him, what he stands for and who he is electing to make major choices
in our countries. Since he is going to be the new president it will a better
idea to make our voices heard when there is something that is going to hurt the
LGBTQ community, or other issues they stand for. That is the only thing one
can do now is to have a voice and make it heard.
For more information on homonationalism Click on the link
below for news article:
LGBTQ and Health
When it comes to the LGBTQ community and health there has
been a long battel when it comes to AIDS and HIV. It was once an epidemic in
the gay community and killed a whole bunch of gay men. In today’s day in age, society has fond
treatment medication and a way to live with it. we are still somewhat far away
from a cure but so much research is going into to cure it and there is less
death of HIV and aids then when it originally was found. HIV and AIDS have more and more things developing
and recently medical researchers have created a new website that helps the care
of HIV especially for black men. Black
men have a higher chance in getting HIV than white men do, according to NBC News, “While only 1 in 11 white MSM will
contract the HIV virus, the rates for black gay and bi men are 1 in 2.” Doctors
are trying to find out why is there such a drastic difference when it comes to
HIV in white and black men. but in the
article it says that many black men who have HIV cannot find good doctors and
are bias. Also the article says that another reason why HIV is so high is
because many doctors do not know of the daily medication that one can take to
prevent the transmission HIV. How can a
doctor lack the knowledge of a groundbreaking medication? This medication can
help men woman and youth of all sexualities, but especially black men. this is
why the website his health is now available this website was designed for black
men in the LGBTQ community. The website has a lot of information; NBC news says
“His Health, a new training platform that engages medical caregivers in
accredited courses that help them learn about the needs of the black MSM
population. On the His Health website, medical professionals can take courses
in PrEP, transgender men's health care, holistic health assessments, and
cultural competency and engagement.”
Both doctors and men can access this websites for better information
about black men’s health in the LGBTQQ community. the website offers way more they the basics
it also has many organizations listed who help the LGBTQ community, they offer counseling
, and they encourage doctors to use the medication that was explained
earlier. The article has a lot more
information about the websites, it also talks about the basics, about black men,
and expert opinion of Dr. Hodge, a black doctor who expertise in in HIV. But overall medicine has come a long way, and
now HIV can be prevented, hopefully in the next decade it can be cured.
Click on the link below for news article:
When it comes to health care and the
LGBTQ community they are in a big disadvantage, for many reasons that are uncertain,
but National Institutes of Health (NIH for short) is working to see what they
can do to improve the health for members of the LGBTQ community. Some of the disparities the community faces
are noted in the article, for example, NBC News says “Baker noted HIV,
especially amongst gay and bi men or trans women, as a clear cut example of
this disparity, as these are the only groups where rates of infection have been
increasing. Mental health illnesses such as depression and anxiety as well as
substance abuse are also symptoms of this disparity, which Baker connected to
the idea of "allostatic load," a term which describes the effect of
living under constant stress.” First,
the article says that LGBTQ members are facing these disparities. Second the
article also states that discrimination has something to do with it. The thing
is, when one goes into the doctor’s office, the intake sheet one fills out does
not ask for sexual orientation, the doctor must be asking. And if the doctor is
asking it should be in the sake to minimize these disparities not because they
want to discriminate against them. Is it
not a rule where a doctor cannot discriminate against any one? A doctor should
benefit the society as a whole and not pick and choose who he wants to help. The
article speaks of gaps in minority community that have an effect on health and
causes these disparities, but there should not be any gaps what so ever. There
is now healthcare that cannot deny one based on preexisting conditions, and cannot
deny one based on anything else. For people to be buying the insurance and
still be face with obstacles because of their sexual orientation is insane. People
regardless of what they love or look like should have the best care that is the
only way our society will evolve. The LGBTQ community needs to be aware of these
disparities. The allies of the LGBTQ
community should be aware as well. There needs to be a demand in better health
care for the LGBTQ community because no one should be denied healthcare. However with in the LGBTQ community, those of
color are more at risk. As if it was not bad enough that LGBTQ were being discriminated
against, but now there is race involve. For America being known as a melting
pot there is still a lot of negative stigma against the minorities. People need to know that, for being so
advanced in technology and knowledge there are still smart people like doctors
who are going to discriminate. Even if they vowed to take care of the people
for the rest of their working lives there are some doctors that will be
discriminatory, because of ignorance. Overall there needs to be a change in the
healthcare system. There needs to be a change on how health care is provided
and there needs to be less stigma against the minority groups, because when it
comes down to it we are all just humans at the e
Click on the link below for news
article:
LGBTQ
and Families
What is a family? Most will think of
a nuclear family and list a mother father and brother and sister. But families
come in many different varieties it can be a single mother with one daughter to
fathers and three children. The point is a family is a support system that will
be there for you no matter what. They will care for you, love you unconditionally
and will be there in the hardest times.
The parents will want their best for their children, and although, they
are not perfect, they try to be. A father will take the clothes off their back
and not eat as long so there child or children can have what they need. A
mother will do whatever it is for their child. Safe to say both father and
mother will risk their lives for the sake of their kin. However the Unites states have a problem
realizing that two men or two women or a Trans woman can be a parent. A parent
is a parent. The definition of a parent
does not state that there has to be a biological relationship between the child
and the parents, because there is such thing as step parents. However New York
just expanded their definition of a parent, and according to the advocated the
definition is “The New York State Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court,
ruled Tuesday that “a caretaker who is not related to, or the adoptive guardian
of, a child could still be permitted to ask for custody and visitation rights,”
The New York Times reports.” This gives rights to the gay community to who were
in a relationship, and there were children involved. If two women were in a
relationship, and one of them got pregnant though whatever way and the other
was the second parental. If they were together for 10 years but the
relationship did not work then with this new ruling the second parental figure
can have visitation rights against the other mothers ruling. This is a new
ruling helps the LGBTQ communities and others who have a difficult situation in
regards to children and the way the states see family. Now in New York a family
is a family, and even the more complex ones can see their child if a
relationship does not work, even if they are not biologically related.
Click on the link below for news article:
Also family related news is
maternity leave. Ivanka Trump was in an
interview about her father’s new maternity leave act. Donald trump has said
some awful things about women, but this act is providing six weeks paid leave
and supposedly affordable child care. This sounds good for the women who are
having a baby. But fathers have a right to leave under FMLA have a right to
have twelve week of unpaid paternity leave. Trump wants to pay woman 6 weeks
maternity leave which sounds like a plus, but then again the plan is not
finalized and things can change. However that still leaves fathers both
homosexual and a part of the LGBTQQ community and mothers who plan to be the
second parental figures. That is the big question, because family is supposed
to be family. When Ivanka trump was asked how it would affect gay fathers who
want time off to raise their children her response was “"This is a giant
leap from where we are today, which is sadly, nothing,” she said. “Both sides
of the aisle have been unable to agree on this issue, so I think this takes
huge advancement and obviously, for same-sex couples as well, there's tremendous
benefit here to enabling the mother to recover after childbirth. It's critical
for the health of the mother. It's critical for bonding with the child, and
that was a top focus of this plan.” She basically avoided the question, and
when they tried clarifying the answer she rebutted that those were not her
words. Ivanka trump was using circular
reasoning instead of giving her position because she knows she will have
backlash. She knows that there will be support, but a lot of tension, and she does
not want to be depicted as a villain. But denying the rights of having parental leave to any parent no matter the
relationship to the child is morally wrong .to deny a parent to miss the
fundamental days of their new child’s life is a punishment for no reason. Every new parent is enthusiastic for a new
child, nut this plan is makes it seem as if a baby is the responsibility of a
mother, not gay fathers, and not ant other parental figure. The LGBTQ community
needs to know their rights and needs to know that they deserve rights to have
parental leave, no matter if they are the second father or the second mother.
Click on the link below for news article:
Another recent current even that has
been in the spotlight is the ruling in Arkansas that say same sex parents
cannot put both of their names on a birth certificate. Some might argue that
they are not the biological parents, but why does that truly matter? In reality
it is a double standard, as the advocate states “Cheryl Maples, the attorney
for three same-sex couples in the case, said that sets a different standard
than the one applied to straight couples. “There’s no requirement that DNA be
given or that there be a biological relationship to a child to get on a birth
certificate for a father, for the non-birth parent,” she told the AP. “All you
have to do is legitimize the child and you’re entitled, if you’re heterosexual.
This is wrong.” How is it right to assume a man if the father with no proof. If
in fact he is not the true father his name is still on the certificate. There
is no problem there, why is there a problem when the LGBTQ community tries to
do it. At least this case they are being honest, they know that one or both are
not the biological parent. In the heterosexual example someone is lying.
Overall there should be equality. There is still an uphill battel but one must
not give up till equality is for all.
Click on the link below for news
article:
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