Introduction
Social movements are an important driver of social change since they help minorities to get lacking rights and liberties. Although much progress has been made in the field of civil rights recently, there are still social movements fighting for the rights of oppressed population groups, and one of them is LGBTQ activism. LGBTQ stands for “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer” (Fox, p. 11). It represents people who do not conform to traditional gender norms. Since they do not comply with standards accepted in society, they are often stigmatized and experience discrimination. LGBTQ activists fight against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, which they are faced with in different environments, ranging from the workplace to entertainment facilities. This paper aims at exploring the background of LGBTQ activism, the oppression that its members experience, the measures they take, and the opposition that hinders their progress. Although homophobic attitudes are still prevalent in society, the LGBTQ community should be understood and accepted since gender and sexual nonconformity does not make people less human and undeserving of equal treatment.
Background of the LGBTQ Activism
Individuals have been engaging in same-sex romantic and sexual relationships since long ago. For example, it is known that in pre-Columbian America, there were individuals who identified themselves as neither female nor male (Gadd). As a rule, they were men dressed in women’s apparel, and they could marry other men in their tribe (Gadd). Spanish and French travelers were puzzled by that behavior and regarded such relationships as homosexual and, therefore, inappropriate (Gadd). Yet, the difference in attitudes toward same-sex relationships is explained by the fact that indigenous American people did not identify such behavior with a person’s identity, but Europeans thought on the contrary (Fox, p. 16). After the colonization, Europeans imposed their views of same-sex relationships on the American inhabitants, and these relationships, as well as wearing clothes appropriate for the opposite sex, became stigmatized and punishable.
Before the nineteenth century, same-sex relationships were most prevalent among men because women were bound to conform to their gender roles and had little freedom. In the late 1800s, as a result of feminist and abolitionist movements, women gained opportunities for economic independence and were involved in a struggle for their rights (Gadd). Some of them chose not to marry and, instead, established long-term relationships with partners of the same sex (Gadd). However, although women’s same-sex relationships were socially accepted in the nineteenth century, public attitudes changed in the twentieth century. Such relationships were considered to prevent American women from childbearing. At the same time, the inflow of immigrants, whose culture encouraged them to have as many children as possible, made Americans anxious about the future of their race (Gadd). Thus, women on par with men began to be oppressed for their engagement in same-sex relationships.
Meanwhile, same-sex attracted individuals, mostly men, were quite prevalent in Europe and the US and formed communities with their own culture. They gathered in hotels, clubs, or cafeterias, but meetings were held mostly in private because police often launched raids against gatherings of such individuals (Gadd). One of the strongholds of same-sex-attracted individuals’ culture was Harlem in New York, where they held various performances, such as masquerade balls and cabarets (Gadd). The guests were allowed to dress in the apparel of the opposite sex, and songs often included lyrics about homosexual desires.
In the middle of the twentieth century, same-sex attracted individuals began to organize themselves in so-called homophile groups. These groups intended to provide a safe social environment for their members by organizing private meetings, where individuals could disclose their nontraditional gender and sexual preferences (Gadd). Homophile groups were held in secret, and their members adhered to commonly accepted dress codes outside group meetings (Gadd). The reason for this was that being identified as homosexual at that time put individuals under serious risks, such as losing a job, home, or children, or having to be subject to psychological treatment (Gadd). Yet, homophile groups are also involved in activities aimed at changing social attitudes toward the LGMTQ community members. They issued newsletters and pamphlets, spoke in public, and all of this was done using pseudonyms and changed appearance to avoid being persecuted for homosexuality (Gadd). These homophile groups can be regarded as the origin of present-day LGBTQ activism, the activity of which has won partial social acceptance for the LGBTQ community and vested its members with specific rights.
Particular attention should be given to the history of the word ‘queer’ with reference to the LGBTQ community. In the late 19th century, ‘queer’ was used to denote homosexual people, and it had a derogatory connotation (Jones 205). Over time, this word began to be used in a more positive context, which is related to improving social attitudes toward the LGBTQ community. Currently, it refers to not only homosexual people but also all those whose identity or behavior differs from conventional gender and sexual norms (Jones, p. 205). It means that all members of the LGBTQ community, including homosexual and bisexual individuals, can be referred to as queer.
Attitudes toward the LGBTQ Community
LGBTQ activism emerged because the dominant culture viewed this group negatively, but public opinion improved lately. In 1973, only about 10% of US citizens stated that they did not consider homosexual relationships to be wrong (Adamczyk and Liao, p. 409). By the year 2000, the share of people who did not oppose same-sex relationships had doubled, and in 2017, it constituted 50% (Adamczyk and Liao, p. 409). Social attitudes regarding the acceptability of hiring a homosexual person for a position of an elementary school teacher, having a homosexual friend, or validating marriage between homosexual individuals also improved over time (Adamczyk and Liao 409). Increased acceptance of same-sex relationships resulted in the Supreme Court decision made in 2015, according to which the prohibition of same-sex marriages was recognized as unconstitutional.
There are some issues with social attitudes toward bisexual individuals. While they experience a certain degree of social stigma imposed on them by people with conventional sexual orientation, they are sometimes considered strangers in the LGBTQ community (Price et al, p. 3). If they have a partner of the same sex, they are viewed as homosexual and are welcomed in the LGBTQ community (Price et al, p. 6). Yet, if they date a person of the opposite sex, they are considered to have a traditional sexual orientation (Price et al, p. 7). Although bisexual individuals’ acceptance by the LGBTQ community has improved recently, they often conceal their bisexuality to avoid social stigma (Price et al, p. 20). For this reason, bisexual people experience more negative effects of social attitudes on their well-being than other members of the LGBTQ group.
Oppression Experienced by the LGBTQ Community
Due to negative attitudes toward gender and sexual nonconformity that were prevalent over a long period of time, the LGBTQ community suffered from considerable oppression. As was mentioned, in the past, disclosing oneself as being homosexual could lead to dismissal from work, eviction from home, termination of parental rights, and commitment to a mental hospital (Gadd). Homosexual individuals were often arrested, and those of them working in educational institutions were forced to quit their jobs (Gadd). Marriages between individuals of the same sex, as well as LGBTQ members’ admission to the military, were also prohibited. Thus, the LGBTQ group suffered from employment discrimination; their right to security was violated, and they had no freedom of expression.
Although LGBTQ activists’ fight against sexuality-based discrimination has improved their situation to some extent, this group still experiences oppression. The LGBTQ community members have gained the possibility to marry people of the same sex, but they have difficulties in case they want to become parents. LGBTQ adults are much more likely to adopt or foster children than heterosexual couples, which makes them valuable for children without families (Goldberg et al, p. 1). However, LGBTQ individuals often face delays and disruptions in the adoption process, caused by discriminatory state laws and agency discrimination (Goldberg et al, p. 8). As a result of this discrimination, LGBTQ individuals are deprived of the opportunity to become parents, and children lose a chance to be raised in a permanent family.
The LGBTQ community is oppressed in other spheres of life as well. For example, according to federal courts’ decisions, refusal to provide equal employment opportunities for people not conforming to traditional gender and sexual norms are regarded as “sex discrimination under Title VII” (Durso et al, p. 5). Yet, there is still no explicit legal protection of LGBTQ individuals in the field of employment, which means that they still can be fired based solely on their gender identity or sexual orientation (Durso et al, p. 5). In schools, LGBTQ students are harassed by their peers and discriminated against by teachers, which is expressed in the prohibition of expressing their gender identity and referring to LGBTQ themes in assignments (Durso et al. 56). LGBTQ people also experience discrimination from healthcare providers; low-income LGBTQ individuals report that they were denied essential medical aid because of their gender or sexual nonconformity (Durso et al, p. 73). Furthermore, same-sex couples and transgender people are more often denied rental housing than individuals and couples conforming to traditional gender norms (Durso et al, p. 77). Thus, the LGBTQ group experiences oppression in the essential fields of life.
Yet, the worst effect of social disapproval of the LGBTQ community is violence against them. In 2016, there was the highest number of transgender people murdered in the US (Durso et al. 1). In the same year, about 50 people, most of them belonging to the LGBTQ group, were slaughtered in Pulse Night Club, a gay club in Orlando, Florida (Durso et al, p. 1). They were murdered solely because their gender identity and sexual orientation did not coincide with that of the majority. Such actions are unthinkable in a civilized society, and LGBTQ activists still have much to do to win justice and equal rights.
The LGBTQ Activists’ Message and its Outcomes
LGBTQ activists began to fight against sexuality-based discrimination in the twentieth century. At that time, they conveyed their message through pamphlets and newsletters, in which they gave advice to LGBTQ people concerned with discrimination in employment, housing, and courts (Gadd). They also spoke to medical and psychological communities, hoping to assure them that they were not much different from heterosexual people and, thus, persuade them to advocate for the LGBTQ group (Gadd). The main purpose of LGBTQ activists at that time was to convince society that nontraditional sexual orientation and gender identity were not a mental disorder, deviation, or offense.
Media has also been a powerful instrument for LGBTQ people to convey their message to the public. In the 1990s, news, TV, and movies began to feature people belonging to the LGBTQ group (Ayoub and Garretson, p. 3). Perhaps, the most prominent example of this is the coming out of Ellen DeGeneres, who played Ellen Morgen in a sitcom Ellen and announced in one of the episodes that she was a lesbian (Ayoub and Garretson, p. 3). Thus, the LGBTQ culture became visible to the public, and people obtained the possibility to familiarize themselves with the LGBTQ community and question the existing prejudice against it.
The LGBTQ group courageously resisted oppression imposed on them by society. LGBTQ activists rioted when the police raided places where they held their meetings. Among such riots, Stonewall is the most memorable, and it is sometimes considered the beginning of the LGBTQ movement. It happened around the Stonewall Inn in New York in 1969 and drew much public attention to the oppression of LGBTQ people. Moreover, in the 1970s, LGBTQ activists started to file lawsuits to protect their rights, and their main argument was that the oppression they experienced was qualified as sex discrimination under Title VII (Simmons-Duffin). Later, they also appealed to justice to gain the right to marry same-sex partners.
As a consequence of all these actions, the LGBTQ community managed to achieve some positive results in their struggle against sexuality-based discrimination. The increased presence of LGBTQ people in various media improved public attitudes toward this group, with more support coming from the younger population (Ayoub and Garretson, p. 20). Particular success was gained as a result of lawsuits filed by LGBTQ activists. For example, in Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins that was heard in 1989, the Supreme Court ruled that refusal to promote Ann Hopkins because she did not look and behave femininely enough was sex discrimination (Simmons-Duffin). In Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services, Inc., the court decided that sexual harassment was qualified as sex discrimination even if a victim was harassed by a person of the same sex (Simmons-Duffin). Yet, the most significant victory of LGBTQ activists was the decision that the Supreme Court made in 2015, according to which same-sex marriages in the US became legalized.
The LGBTQ community has significantly advanced in struggling for their rights during Obama’s presidency. At that time, transgender people were allowed to serve in the military, and LGBTQ students were protected against harassment and were permitted to use bathrooms of their choice (Simmons-Duffin). The Obama administration also protected the rights of LGBTQ workers and enacted regulations prohibiting healthcare professionals, child welfare organizations, and homeless shelters from discriminating against LGBTQ individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity (Simmons-Duffin). It was a notable success for LGBTQ activists; yet, the Trump administration rescinded many pro-LGBTQ regulations, thus reversing the attained progress.
Opposition to LGBTQ
LGBTQ activism has always encountered disapproval from particular groups of society. Although public attitudes toward this community have improved recently, there are still people who oppose the idea that LGBTQ individuals should possess equal rights. In the US, such people belong to the anti-LGBTQ movement, and they perceive the LGBTQ community as threatening to society, children, and public health. Unfortunately for LGBTQ activists, the current president and his administration seem to share the views of the anti-LGBTQ movement.
The Trump administration repealed policies and regulations protecting the LGBTQ community, which were adopted during Obama’s presidency. Officials that are currently in power supported workplace discrimination against LGBTQ individuals and allowed employers to fire workers based on their gender identity and sexual orientation (Acosta). They also prohibited transgender people from serving in the military and appointed judges hostile toward the LGBTQ community (Acosta). Moreover, they repealed the protection of LGBTQ people against discrimination in healthcare and, instead, established an office intended to defend medical professionals refusing to treat LGBTQ individuals (Acosta). In schools, transgender children became non-protected against discrimination based on their gender identity and were obliged to use bathrooms corresponding to their biological sex (Acosta). The current administration allowed homeless service providers to deny access to housing for LGBTQ people (Acosta). Child welfare agencies also got permission to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals and still be financed with federal funds (Acosta). Overall, Trump’s policy seems to aim at erasing LGBTQ people or making them conceal their nontraditional identities.
Trump and his supporters explain their actions by the fact that the existing law does not protect people against sexuality-based discrimination. They claim that the word ‘sex’ in Title VII is not equal to ‘gender identity’ and ‘sexual orientation’ (Simmons-Duffin). Moreover, they blame the Obama administration for having acted unlawfully when it interpreted this word in favor of the LGBTQ community (Simmons-Duffin). In order to fix the situation, the House of Representatives passed the Equality Act intended to amend the Civil Rights Act so that it included the words ‘gender identity’ and ‘sexual orientation’ (Simmons-Duffin). If this bill becomes a law, LGBTQ individuals will be legally protected against discrimination. Yet, since Trump opposes the Equality Act, he may veto the bill, even if the entire House of Representatives votes for it.
As a result of recurrent oppression, LGBTQ activists need help in gaining more public support, and they should bring about the adoption of the Equality Act, which would be the next milestone in their movement. Society should abandon the belief that homosexuality and transsexuality are a deviation. In this regard, Becker stated that “no action, condition, or identity is inherently deviant; it only becomes deviant when it is labeled as such by a society” (qtd. in Fox, p. 12). It means that gender and sexual nonconformity is not inappropriate per se; it is only perceived as inappropriate by the majority of people. Sasha Buchert, a transgender person, working as an attorney in Washington, DC, describes LGBTQ people as follows: “We’re just people … We like dogs. We like ice cream. We’re real people — this is how we were made” (qtd. in Simmons-Duffin). The main idea is that LGBTQ individuals are humans, just as people with traditional sexual orientation are, so they deserve equal treatment and protection against discrimination.
Conclusion
LGBTQ people have been experiencing much oppression in many areas of life. They began fighting for their rights in the twentieth century and managed to improve public attitudes toward themselves and gain certain rights. The greatest progress was made during Obama’s presidency when LGBTQ people were vested with such rights as serving in the military and marrying same-sex partners. However, their achievements have been reversed by the Trump administration, so they need strong support from society to continue struggling against discrimination. The public should become more tolerant of LGBTQ individuals because they are just as human as ordinary people, and their nontraditional sexual behaviors are not actual deviations.
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