4.4 Societal attitudes and discrimination

Societal attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals have varied throughout history, from acceptance to persecution. While progress has been made in many places, discrimination persists. LGBTQ+ people still face challenges in employment, housing, healthcare, and other areas of life.

Discrimination can severely impact LGBTQ+ mental and physical health, leading to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and chronic illnesses. Strategies for inclusion involve legal protections, inclusive policies, education, and support systems to create a more welcoming society for all.

Societal Attitudes towards LGBTQ+ Individuals

Historical Attitudes

Top images from around the web for Historical Attitudes

• 

  Major branches within Christianity | This original file is f… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Overleg:Vroege christendom - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Major branches within Christianity | This original file is f… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Overleg:Vroege christendom - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

Top images from around the web for Historical Attitudes

• 

  Major branches within Christianity | This original file is f… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Overleg:Vroege christendom - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Major branches within Christianity | This original file is f… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Overleg:Vroege christendom - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

• Societal attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals have varied throughout history and across cultures, ranging from acceptance and celebration to stigmatization and persecution
• In many ancient civilizations (ancient Greece and Rome), same-sex relationships were accepted and even celebrated in certain contexts, while in other societies, they were strictly forbidden and punished
• The rise of Christianity and other Abrahamic religions in the Western world led to the widespread condemnation and criminalization of same-sex relationships and gender non-conformity

Contemporary Attitudes

• The medicalization of homosexuality in the late 19th and early 20th centuries further contributed to the stigmatization of LGBTQ+ individuals by classifying it as a mental disorder
• The modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, which began in the mid-20th century, has led to significant progress in terms of legal rights and social acceptance for LGBTQ+ individuals in many parts of the world
  • This includes the decriminalization of homosexuality, the legalization of same-sex marriage, and the passage of anti-discrimination laws in many countries
• Despite this progress, LGBTQ+ individuals continue to face discrimination, violence, and marginalization in many societies, particularly in countries where homosexuality remains criminalized or where conservative religious or cultural attitudes prevail (Saudi Arabia, Uganda)

Discrimination against LGBTQ+ Individuals

Discrimination in Various Aspects of Life

• LGBTQ+ individuals may experience discrimination in various aspects of life, including employment, housing, healthcare, education, and public accommodations
• Employment discrimination can take the form of hiring discrimination, workplace harassment, unequal pay, and wrongful termination based on sexual orientation or gender identity
• Housing discrimination can involve the denial of rental applications, eviction, or harassment by landlords or neighbors based on LGBTQ+ status
• Healthcare discrimination can include the denial of medical services, inadequate or inappropriate care, or the refusal to recognize same-sex partners as legal next of kin
• In educational settings, LGBTQ+ students may face bullying, harassment, or exclusion from school activities and resources

Criminalization and Severe Discrimination

• LGBTQ+ individuals may also experience discrimination in public accommodations, such as being denied service or access to facilities based on their sexual orientation or gender identity (restrooms, locker rooms)
• In some countries, LGBTQ+ individuals face criminalization, imprisonment, or even the death penalty for their sexual orientation or gender identity
  • As of 2021, homosexuality remains criminalized in over 70 countries, with penalties ranging from fines and imprisonment to the death penalty in a handful of countries (Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen)

Impact of Discrimination on LGBTQ+ Well-being

Mental Health Consequences

• Discrimination and stigmatization can have severe negative impacts on the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals
• LGBTQ+ individuals who experience discrimination are at higher risk for developing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation
• Internalized homophobia or transphobia, which occurs when LGBTQ+ individuals internalize negative societal attitudes about their identities, can further contribute to mental health problems
• LGBTQ+ youth who face rejection or lack of support from their families are at particularly high risk for homelessness, substance abuse, and suicide

Physical Health and Social Consequences

• The stress and trauma associated with discrimination can lead to chronic health problems, such as cardiovascular disease and weakened immune function
• Discrimination can also lead to social isolation and loneliness, as LGBTQ+ individuals may feel unsafe or unwelcome in certain social settings or communities
• The cumulative impact of discrimination over a lifetime can lead to significant disparities in mental and physical health outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals compared to their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts
  • Studies have found that LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely to experience chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease, compared to non-LGBTQ+ individuals

Strategies for LGBTQ+ Inclusion

Legal Protections and Inclusive Policies

• Legal protections, such as anti-discrimination laws and hate crime legislation, can help to reduce discrimination and provide recourse for LGBTQ+ individuals who experience mistreatment
• Inclusive policies and practices in workplaces, schools, and other institutions can create a more welcoming and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals
  • Examples include non-discrimination policies, diversity training, and the provision of gender-neutral restrooms and locker rooms
• Education and awareness campaigns can help to reduce stigma and promote understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals among the general public

Support and Allyship

• Positive media representation of LGBTQ+ individuals and their experiences can help to challenge stereotypes and promote more nuanced and accurate understandings of LGBTQ+ identities (TV shows, movies, books)
• Providing support and resources for LGBTQ+ individuals, such as counseling services, support groups, and community centers, can help to mitigate the negative impacts of discrimination and promote resilience
• Encouraging allyship and solidarity among non-LGBTQ+ individuals can help to create a more inclusive and supportive social environment for LGBTQ+ individuals
• Addressing the root causes of discrimination, such as heteronormativity and binary gender norms, through education and cultural change can help to create a more fundamentally inclusive society over time