Imagine a world with families and children living with peace of mind. Now imagine them being verbally harassed, hated for being different, and given less rights. Which would you prefer: love and acceptance or hate and intolerance? Our civil rights and the Constitution give us many liberties. One of our civil liberties is the pursuit of happiness, which homosexual people are not allowed to chase. They cannot be married to the person they love and it violates their freedoms. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are experiencing too much discrimination and society should be reprimanding all of those who discriminate, educating the community, and helping to change the culture of the United States to become more accepting of its …show more content…
LGBT people face many forms of discrimination in their everyday lives, whether it be during work, school, or walking down the street. One of the main reasons why teenagers commit suicide is due to the child being bullied at their school as a result of his/her sexual orientation. (“Bullying and LGBT Youth”) The love and acceptance that will come about due to legalizing gay marriage will show teens that they are accepted and respected in society. We need to explain to younger generations that being different is not a social disability, so that they will never feel the need to take their own lives because they are gay. “Gay teens in U.S. schools are often subjected to such intense bullying that they’re unable to receive an adequate education. LGBT youth identified bullying problems as the second most important problem in their lives, after non-accepting families, compared to non-LGBT youth identifying classes/exams/grades.” (“Bullying and LGBT Youth”) It has been proven that LGBT youth who are frequently bullied have lower grade point averages, contrast to those who are bullied less often. (Kerr) …show more content…
However, there is so much more to life than procreation. People believe in procreation to repopulate the world, but are against gay marriage and homosexuals adopting children because they cannot procreate on their own. If this is a standpoint on making or breaking gay marriage then only people who are fertile and want to procreate should be able to get married according to this bias. They believe gay marriage will weaken its institution by leading to high divorce rates. “One reason legislatures are denying gay marriage is because they are fearful that opening the door to allowing gay marriages will open the door to polygamy as well. This would also mean reopening cases about polygamy in the past which they are not willing to do.” (Darong Ma) Others are fearful for children’s futures and they fear being raised by two fathers or by two mothers may compromise children’s mental capacities. If we apply the same logic to couples that are unable to conceive that Leviticus applies to homosexuality, then society should be equally condemning those couples as well as homosexuality. But that means we are condemning people for something that they cannot help. There is no difference from this than there is with what society is doing to homosexuality. The 1st amendment of the Constitution states that a person’s religious beliefs or a lack of thereof must
Currently, only 13 countries offer rights for members of the LGBT community. Within those countries, few offer equal rights such as health care, marriage rights, and adoption to LGBT members. Many people around the globe would agree that these rights, along with all other rights granted to heterosexuals, should not be granted to these members of the LGBT community. One prevalent notion is that being gay, or being included in the LGBT community, is unnatural. This notion is simply incorrect; everyone, no matter their gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation does, in fact, deserve the same liberties as their heterosexual counterparts. Being a member of the LGBT community has no negative effect on the lives of others unless those people view heterosexuality in a negative light, allowing it to bedevil them, and ultimately change the way they live their life. Being gay is completely natural. Though some would argue that homosexuality is unnatural, others would disagree, being that research has been conducted. The conclusion was that the way people think and feel towards others is s...
They also experience prejudice in the work force. Data has shown that it is possible that if members of the LGBT community are open about their sexuality they could be declined a job, or can be judged by their co workers. Discrimination within schools have caused a big issue on bullying which is leading many young people to take drastic measures such as suicide to end the harassments and violence they experience. Studies have concluded that over thirty percent of all suicides are related in way or another to sexu...
Over the past several years, research and advocacy has stressed the urgent nature of youth bullying as a major public health problem. The matter is further emphasized with a quick look through any media source, which is sure to highlight at least one heartfelt and tragic outcome to such bullying. What is often not brought forth, is the disproportionate nature of bullying against youth identifying under the LGBTQ umbrella, and the significantly more drastic consequences. The American Public Health Association, has not only acknowledged this phenomena, but also released a policy statement, Reduction of Bullying to Address Health Disparities Among LGBT Youth, specifically addressing the matter through the lens of public health (The American Public
As a United States citizen who was born in the new millennium, I was brought up with the idea that, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” This statement was one of the main sources of fuel for the Civil Rights Movements in the mid 1950’s/60’s in the United States. Minority groups have often been mistreated in the United States culminating in movements much like that of the women’s suffrage movement, civil rights movements and now a movement toward equality for the LGBTQIA. In the last few decades a new minority group, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and allies, and their struggle to attain their right to the pursuit of happiness. This small makes up roughly 4 percent of the US population. Though many say that gay marriage will weaken the moral foundation of our country, it should be legalized, not only because banning it is unconstitutional, but also because strips people of their human rights
B., Crothers, L. M., Bundick, M. J., Wells, D. S., Buzgon, J., Berbary, C., & ... Senko, K. (2015). Teachers' Perceptions of Bullying of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Students in a Southwestern Pennsylvania Sample. Behavioral Sciences (2076-328X), 5(2), 247-263. doi:10.3390/bs5020247
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young adults aged 15 to 24 and the third leading cause of death among teens aged 10 to 14 (CDC, 2010). The suicide rate for LGBTQ people is so high that there is a need to find a way to prevent these suicides. People in the LGBTQ community are feeling so disconnected and discriminated against they are no longer wanting to live in this world. We must find a way to make it so they do not think suicide is their only way. Katherine Schreiber and Heather Hausenblas Ph.D. state that, “... factors that protect against suicide in youth include having a positive relationship with one or Speaking up for LGBTQ students will help them feel included and connected in school settings lowering their suicide rate.
Currently in today’s society, coming out as gay is easier than admitting to a serious mental problem. This effect puts a burden on teens who suffer from problems and don’t know where to go; which led to the increase of teen suicides as seen in the media. In the average classroom size, about three of the twenty-four students have depression; not mentioning other common disorders such as bipolar disorder, panic disorder, ADHD, conduct disorder, and eating disorders. Without better programs in schools to prevent and inform about mental disorders, the current taboo on them, the bullying of students suffering, and the romanticization of diseases will continue to increase the negative effect mental disorders have on teens.
The mental health of individuals in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered) community is something that is a serious problem. For most of the history of the United States and many different parts of the world LGBT people faced much persecution and in some cases even death. This constant fear of discovery and the pressure that one feels on oneself when “in the closet” can lead to major mental distress. Research has shown that people who identify as LGBT are twice as likely to develop lifetime mood and anxiety disorders (Bostwick 468). This is extremely noticeable the past couple years in the suicides of bullied teens on the basis of sexual identity and expression. The stigma on simply being perceived as LGBT is strong enough to cause a person enough mental stress that they would take their own life. This is always unfortunate, but in the case of young individuals it borders on unthinkable. Older LGBT individuals do not tend to fair much better either seeing as they were raised in generations who were stricter on what was considered proper and morally right. All this being said, even as the culture of the world shifts to more accepting LGBT individuals their mental health is something that is only now being looked at thoroughly.
When is it considered okay to take away someone's rights? A person cannot be defined by one word. Homosexual is only one word. Television and movies have not perfectly portrayed all of Americans since it started. Having two moms or two dads isn't the worst thing that could happen.
While there are opportunities and experiences that were not possible for previous generations (Institute of Medicine, 2011), such as being accepted by family, peers, and society whilst “coming out”, there are also, however, continual risks and disadvantages in the school and family environments. The contrasting distinctions compared to their cisgender peers may become distinct as gender dysphoric youth enter puberty, especially in a “cisnormative” and transphobic society (Horowitz & Itzkowitz, 2011). For example, there are significantly fewer transgender or gender non-conforming role models in the media and in real life than cisgender mentors. Moreover, as physical pubertal changes become noticeable to others, a majority of homophobic and transphobic bullying occurs in early in middle school and onwards to high school (Taylor et al., 2011). Youth who are targets of this harassment generally tend to have lower grades than their peers, as well as having high rates of depression and suicidal thoughts and actions.
There are many opponents of gay people as it is, and they all have their reasons to dislike the idea of permitting them get married. One of the main reasons is that the primary purpose of marriage is procreation. Because gay couples are unable to have children, they should not be allowed to marry (Schiffen 495). Another main argument is that the word marriage means the union of one man and one woman. This is a long-standing theme of most major Western religions. Under a proposed bill known as the Defense of Marriage act, marriage is defined as “a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife.” Furthermore, it defines a spouse as “ a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or wife” (What 1). Under these guidelines, it is quite obvious that gay couples would not be eligible for marriage. People against homosexual marriage also say that it is a person’s choice to be gay. Since the individual chooses to be a homosexual, they should not be given special privileges. Another argument that you hear is that these couples should not get married simply because of the torment and ridicule they would be faced with in their everyday lives. There are news reports from across America telling about how a gay person was beaten or killed just because they were looked at as different. Some of these people would end up the target of verbal abuse and maybe even physical abuse, just because some heterosexual people see them as different.
Throughout the years, bullying has become a significant reason for teenagers to become depressed or even suicidal. It does not matter what the teen is being discriminated against, whether it be their race, what they believe in, or who they love. When it comes to homosexuality, “one in three are under 18 who commit hate crimes” (D...
In conclusion I argue that banning same-sex marriage is discriminatory. It is discriminatory because it denies homosexuals the many benefits received by heterosexual couples. The right to marriage in the United States has little to do with the religious and spiritual meaning of marriage. It has a lot to do with social justice, extending a civil right to a minority group. This is why I argue for same-sex marriage. The freedom to marry regardless of gender preference should be allowed.
Bullying is a devastating issue that threatens the well-being of today’s youth. Those who are most likely at risk are those who; have a learning or physical disability i.g., autism or ADHD, are underweight or overweight, are gay/lesbian/transgendered, or speak a different language. Of course, there are no specific guidelines of who will become victims of bullying. Children who are bullied experience lower self-esteem, greater loneliness, greater anxiety, and more depression in addition to the already stressful adolescent years. The longer the bullying occurs the more profound the symptoms can become. As a low-level, subtle form of violence, bullying creates an unsafe school environment and can lead to more serious types of violence among students (Whitted & Dupper, 2005).
Denying people to get married is a form of discrimination. People are being treated differently because of their sexual orientation and it is morally wrong. Gay marriage has no effect on heterosexuals. So why are so many heterosexuals against it? The arguments against gay marriage are unreasonable. Some believe that being gay is unnatural or influences children to be gay. Studies show that there is no difference between children raised by same sex or straight couples.