Sexual Orientation Discrimination Prejudice in the Workplace. Sexual orientation is “the clear, persistent desire of a person for affiliation with one sex rather than the other”, otherwise known as sexual preference. (http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com) Prejudice against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transsexuals (otherwise known as LGBT people) remain widespread in American society. LGBT people have always been a target for discrimination. Like other forms of prejudice, this discrimination is based on a hostile attitude toward a specific group and in this case minority. The current strides in the controversy of the legalization of the same sex marriage is a prime example of this discrimination. Sexual orientation prejudice has damaged the reputation and wellbeing of these individuals, and therefor overstepped the boundary between discrimination and downright hatred. Research has determined that the majority of stable homosexual adult couples are in committed and long lasting relationships. Assumptions have been made that homosexuals base their sexual preference just on the pleasure of sex, and sometimes are misconstrued as perverts because of this. On the contrary, homosexual couples, like heterosexuals, form deep emotional attachments, ‘fall in love’, and remain loyal to a single partner. Researchers have found that “Being denied the right to marry reinforces the stigma associated with a minority sexual identity and that living in a state where same-sex marriage is outlawed can lead to chronic social stress and mental health problems.” (http://www.apa.org) Everyone has a sexual preference. There are a million people in America who take part in romantic same sex relationships who live among us, and work among us... ... middle of paper ... ...ientation Harassment & Discrimination." Sexual Orientation Discrimination Attorney St. Paul. Employment Law and Sexual Harassment Attorney, 2014. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. . "Sexual Orientation Discrimination Cases Are Increasing." Gilleon Law Firm Sexual Orientation Discrimination Cases Are Increasing Comments. LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell, 2014. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. . Burns, Crosby, Kate Childs Graham, and Sam Meneffe Libey. "Gay and Transgender Discrimination in the Public Sector." Http://www.americanprogress.org. Center for American Progress, 30 Aug. 2012. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. .
The central facts in this case are; Cracker Barrel felt justified in firing and not hiring homosexual in their restaurants, the company informed them that this is the reason they were not receiving employment, and the company has had accusations of discriminating against blacks. This case study address the major issues cover in chapter eighteen and that is Employment discrimination and Affirmative Action. Some sub issues are the fact the homosexuals can not press charges or receive monetary compensation for their loss.
For years homosexuality in the United States of America has been looked down upon by citizens, religions, and even politicians. The homosexual culture, or the LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender), has been demoralized and stuck out and lashed against by the Heterosexual community time and time again. To better understand the LGBT community we must first grasp the concept of Sexual Orientation.
Hughes, Sean. "Anti-Gay Harassment Can Become a Witch Hunt." Winston-Salem Journal 06 FEB 2006: Sec. D. Print.
NeJaime, Douglas. "Marriage Inequality: Same-Sex Relationships, Religious Exemptions, and The Production of Sexual Orientation Discrimination." California Law Review100.5 (Oct2012): 1169-1238. Academic Search Complete. Web. 31 Oct. 2013.
Suro, Robert. “Military Tries to Reduce Harassment of Gays.” Washington Post 2 Feb. 2000: 8.
“Equal rights for lesbians and gay men may be the greatest civil rights battle of the 21st century” (Avery 2007, p. 71). Homosexual couples have been fighting a losing battle for years, and their struggle has recently taken the spotlight once again as a burning topic. Over the years, many people have come to support equal love. However, many Americans still advocate the one man-one woman institution of marriage. The fight for equal rights in general has always been a complex issue. African Americans, women, and many other minorities have had to fight for the rights that they hold today. There are many factors involved in gay activism such as support, attitudes, roles, and the implications of the movement. Social psychology takes a particular interest in gay rights and these factors in particular, as it is a current, controversial topic within American society.
Kennedy, Dorothy M., and Jane E. Aaron. " What's Wrong with Gay Marriage?." The Bedford Reader. By X. J. Kennedy. 11th ed. Boston: St. Martin’s, 2012. 570-572. Print.
Nieves, Evelyn. “Same-Sex Marriage Issue Fires Up Gays.” The Washington Post. Nov. 1, 2004. .
Knapp, Peter, Jane C. Kronick, R. William Marks, and Miriam G. Vosburgh. The Assault on Equality. Westport: Praeger Publishers, 1996.
Stoddard, T, Fein, B, (Jan. 1990) Gay Marriage, Personal relationships, Marriage, Legislation, Homosexuality, American Bar Association, (Pages 42, 42)
basic civil rights protections for GLBT people.” (Currah, Minter p.9) Many of the LGBT population feel like their personal freedoms and liberties have been violated as lawmakers in some states and countries infringe on their personal rights. Passings of legislature that marginalizes the LGBT population is not only unjust and inhumane but it causes sociological and societal implications that question that persons beliefs about themselves leading to the dangerous climate facing the group from within themselves and the population around
states that “bisexuality is often perceived as an illegitimate and unstable sexual orientation, such that bisexuals are perceived to be confused, experimenting, in transition from a heterosexual to a gay/lesbian identity, or in denial about their true sexual orientation.” This attitude towards bisexuality definitely creates tensions in societies. Furthermore, Feinstein et al. also states “While people have the right to choose what characteristics are important to them when they evaluate potential romantic or sexual partners, a lack of willingness to consider bisexual individuals as potential partners may represent subtle discrimination against bisexuals, especially when such unwillingness is rooted in negative attitudes toward bisexuality.” This “subtle” discrimination has definitely grown since this journal’s published date in August 2016 and only seems to grow. Lastly, Feinstein et al. also discusses about essentialist beliefs about homosexuality which the first addresses why bisexuality is perceived the way it is, that all homosexuals are similar to one another (Feinstein et al.). This ideal is very narrow and categorized all sexualities as “homosexual” when that is not the case. Therefore, this is another reason why bisexuals are seen as almost “mythological creatures,” because our society cannot seem to understand that there is more than “gays” and “straights.” In addition, this also creates a thought process for bisexuals that they must be hidden because if not, they will be ridiculed and shamed for being
... the past several years is the same-sex family. Since the sexual revolution of the 1960’s, changing attitudes have brought more tolerance to the gay and lesbian community. This has somewhat loosened the stigma previously associated with this segment of the population. Along with evolving public attitudes, economic and legal changes in the United States have also reduced barriers previously facing same-sex couples making it more likely for them to form families (Butler, 2004). On the other hand, continued strong institutional ties to marriage between one man and one woman continue to pose problem for this group and shape social agendas (Glenn, 2004; Lind, 2004). While several states and many employers have given recognition and benefits to homosexual partners, there is still no uniform policy in place which addresses their familial rights in the United States.
When one hears the words “LGBT” and “Homosexuality” it often conjures up a mental picture of people fighting for their rights, which were unjustly taken away or even the social emergence of gay culture in the world in the1980s and the discovery of AIDS. However, many people do not know that the history of LGBT people stretches as far back in humanity’s history, and continues in this day and age. Nevertheless, the LGBT community today faces much discrimination and adversity. Many think the problem lies within society itself, and often enough that may be the case. Society holds preconceptions and prejudice of the LGBT community, though not always due to actual hatred of the LGBT community, but rather through lack of knowledge and poor media portrayal.
As seen through the statistics, those who are homosexual are put down. These younger children have been taught to judge and hurt those who are “different”. These older opinions on the matter lead to drastic things such as suicide because those who love the same sex do not follow the “norm”.