Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity

It is obvious that we all have a sexual orientation and a gender identity, and this shared fact means that discrimination against members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community, based on sexual orientation and/ or gender identity, is an issue that transcends that community and affects those within that community. But did the Supreme Court ruling of 2015 really give acceptance to the LGBT community or polarize the nation?

Sexual orientation covers sexual desires, feelings, practices and identification. Sexual orientation can be towards people of the same or different sexes (same-sex, heterosexual or bisexual orientation, pansexual, asexual, ect.). Gender identity refers to the complex relationship between sex and gender, referring

to a person's experience of self-expression in relation to social categories of masculinity or femininity (gender). A person's subjectively felt gender identity may be at variance with their biological sex or physiological characteristics.
Amnesty International and other supporters of LGBT peoples, believe that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, should be able to enjoy their human rights.

Although the Universal Declaration of Human Rights does not explicitly mention sexual orientation or gender identity, evolving conceptions of international human rights law include a broad interpretation to include the rights and the protection of the rights of LGBT people around the world.

However, across the globe, there remain many instances where an individuals' sexual orientation or gender identity can lead them to face execution, imprisonment, torture, violence or discrimination. The range of abuse is limitless and it breaches the fundamental views of international human rights law.

Human rights abuses based on sexual orientation or gender can include violation of the rights of the child; the infliction of torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment (Article 5); arbitrary detention on grounds of identity or beliefs (Article 9); the restriction of freedom of association (Article 20) and the denial of the basic rights of due process.

Examples include:

• Execution by the

state
• Denial of employment, housing or health services
• Loss of custody of children
• Denial of asylum
• Rape and otherwise torture in detention
• Threats for campaigning for LGBT human rights
• Regular subjection to verbal abuse
In many countries, the refusal of governments to address violence committed against LGBT people creates a culture of exemption where such abuses can continue and escalate unmitigated. Often, such abuses are committed by the state authorities themselves, with or without legal sanction.
In a landmark decision, a divided Supreme Court in June ruled that same-sex couples can marry nationwide, establishing a new civil right and handing gay rights advocates a momentous victory. In the 5-4 ruling, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the majority with the four liberal justices.
CNN: "No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice and family," Kennedy wrote.

"In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than they once were."

Many people’s opinion on gay marriage is that same-sex marriage violates the “true” intentions of marriage, which “should” be between a man and a woman, but a more broad definition of marriage would be “(broadly) any of the diverse forms of interpersonal union established in various parts of the world to form a familial bond that is recognized legally, religiously, or socially, granting the participating partners mutual conjugal rights and responsibilities”

Did the Supreme Court ruling of 2015 really give acceptance to the LGBT community or polarize the nation? While the support for the LGBT has been growing strong, polarization and animosity towards the LGBT community are still prominent. Social media is a huge factor, with Twitter claiming the hashtags “#LoveWins”, and “#NationalComingOutDay”. Social media is also factoring in the exposure and coverage of the many hate crimes and murders against identifiers as Gay or

Transgender.
In the antediluvian time same-sex marriage was not deemed illicit and in many cultures,