Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) (Essay Sample)

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT)
Name
Institution
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT)
Identity Development
In essence, lesbians and gays have similar developmental stages as their heterosexual counterparts. By the age of two or three years, children develop a sense of their gender identity where being a girl or boy. The gender roles of being female or male continue to develop into preschool years. The children’s family and peers have a huge influence on behavior and outward presentation. However, the majority of adults who identify themselves as lesbians or gays reveal that they start to feel different from their peers from an early age. Even though some gay adolescents establish that, they knew about their sexual orientations from an early age, studies show that this could be because of same-sex affections and atypical behavior, which is common in children. Notably, girls do not face many challenges when they adopt tomboy character in their early stages; however, boys find it hard to adopt in societies if they start to behave like girls. Nevertheless, studies establish that boys with atypical behavior have higher chances of developing to gays or heterosexuals. Innately, children with gender atypical behaviors face anti-gay bias and open hostility during their development especially from mental health professionals, peers, families. The hostility could be in the form of sexual violence, assaults, insults, teasing, or marginalization. As a result, such children develop feelings of low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and shame because of the sexual attractions (Rosario, Schrimshaw & Hunter, 2011). Such feelings in the end lead to desperate attempts to become heterosexuals later in their lives.
During adolescence, many people experiment sexual activities, and it is common to have same-sex sexual activities from heterosexuals. At the same time, homosexuals could have sexual activities with members of the opposite sex, which is known as sexual experimentation. At this stage, both lesbians and gays experience pressure to adopt the majority behavior to evade social ridicule. Besides, this stage is divided into several phases, which describe how the youth develop their sexuality. The stages include
Awareness of difference
Confusion about the difference
Decision leading to action or
Indecision leading to inaction
Acceptance
Pride
Integration (Rosario, Schrimshaw & Hunter, 2011)
Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
The majority of societies across the world have deeply embedded transphobic and homophobic attitudes that dissuade LGBTs from revealing their sexual identities. Although during adolescent many people know their sexual orientations, the people choose to either come out or practice homosexuality in secret. In practice, gays and lesbians face discrimination in different places, which include social places, workplaces, schools, medical institutions where their human rights are violated. As a result, a society that does not have rules to protect the rights of homosexuals has lower chances of people coming out. In the United States, the human rights of gays and lesbians are respected but in some other countries, LGBT is a criminal offense where it could warrant the death penalty upon conviction (Rosario, Schrimshaw & Hunter, 2011). Therefore, in such countries people have the tendency to hide their sexual orientations from the public for fear of reprisals against them.
B. Coming Out
To Self-As noted earlier, coming out depends on several issues in the society. A person understands his or her sexual orientation during adolescence but first it leads to confusion. In essence, gays are minority groups in any society, which means that accepting one’s status is a huge challenge especially in societies that discriminate gays and lesbians (Rosario, Schrimshaw & Hunter, 2011).
Family- Coming out LGBT depends on a child’s relational bond with his or her parents. In some instances, it could have either negative or positive effects. For example, children who have strong bonds with their parents have higher chances of strengthening love and the bonds. On the other hand, children who have had strained relationship with their parents; the bonds deteriorate or collapse. If parents accept their children after they come out, then they would hold open discussions on relationships and dating. Further, such parents help their children to manage discrimination and make healthy decisions concerning HIV/AIDS. However, in some cases, parents start to suspect their children's sexual orientation from an early age based on their atypical behaviors during childhood (Rosario, Schrimshaw & Hunter, 2011). Nevertheless, fathers have higher chances of reacting better to children’s openness about their sexual orientations than mothers.
Friends- even though it could be hard for some people to disclose their homosexuality to friends, the friends are advised to listen to the live stories of the one who is coming out. However, it is recommended to choose the time to come out wisely. For example, it is unwise to come out during an argument. At the same time, gays and lesbians should allow their friends some time to get used to the information before introducing their partners. During, the introduction, it is essential to show that the partner cares about their feelings. Gays and lesbians ought to accept that acceptance takes time, in this regard; they should not rush the friends to accept the situation at the first time (Center for American Progress, 2015). However, it is essential to explain why one is coming out.
In the workplace- notably, LGBTs continue to face widespread discrimination in the workplace with some losing their jobs because of their sexual orientations. In this regard, approximately, forty-three percent of LGBTs have faced some form of discrimination at the workplace. Therefore, it is imperative to consider the repercussions of coming out to colleagues and managers. The LGBT ought to note the organizational culture and expectations before coming out (Center for American Progress, 2015).
Social Impact- the United States society acceptance of LGBTs is high which means that although such people would be exposed to discrimination by opening up, the law protects their rights to equal treatment. However, one has to learn to face homophobic societies by supporting other LGBTs in the society to achieve equality (Center for American Progress, 2015).
C. Self-Image/Self-Esteem
Homosexuality affects people’s self-esteem and self-image especially when the society does not support their sexual feelings. Therefore, it is important to seek the support of loved ones to feel accepted in the society to improve the chances of self-acceptance (Center for American Progress, 2015). Further, support groups play a critical role in promoting self-esteem among rejected persons.
II. Relationships
Partners
Just like in heterosexual relationships, it is important to have a caring partner who appreciates one's personality. Gays and lesbians should not be in relationships with domestic violence; besides, the relationships should ensure equality of the partners. At the same time, it is necessary to know that homosexuality causes sexually transmitted disease. Therefore, the couple should understand the best ways to protect itself from STD and HIV/AIDS.
Gay friends
Gay Friends should be a source of help when one faces challenges. In essence, gay friends face similar challenges in their everyday lives, which mean that they have solutions to most of the problems that LGBTs face in the society. Therefore, it is imperative to form groups to support one another and help during times of difficult.
Straight Friends
Choosing out straight friends could be challenging because one has to have people who accept his or her sexual orientation. Besides the straight friends should be homophobic because they would always find fault on the LGBTs.
GLBTQ families
GLBTQ families have members from their families who are LGBTs; as such, they offer support to gays and lesbians by sharing their stories. Help could be in the form of acceptance of their children’s sexuality to fighting discrimination in the society. In any case, parents want the best for their children; as a result, they should solutions to challenges that their children face.
E. Finding Mentors or Allies
Mentors of allies are important in LGBTs lives because they encourage living positive lives and reducing the risk of contracting STDs and HIV/AIDS. The mentors do not criticize the LGBTs decisions, which enhance their self-esteem and confidence. At the same time, mentors offer support especially when one faces challenges in the society (Center for American Progress, 2015).
III. Parenting
Challenges of same-sex parenting
Both parents and children of same-sex couples face numerous challenges in the United States despite that fact that more couples have children under the age of eighteen years living in the same neighborhood. Besides prejudice and discrimination at schools and the society, the couples face homophobic medical professionals who believe that gays and lesbians should not have children. In cases where lesbians use donor insemination, the parents worry about their children seeking to know their fathers (Center for American Progress, 2015).
B. Parenting opposite sex children
Raising children of the opposite sex poses challenges because the children would wish to learn more about their sexuality from the same sex parent. However, in lesbian and gay couples, the children do not have same-sex parents, which mean that they have to learn everything from their mothers and fathers. Such situational causes strain in the society as people wonder how the couple manages the opposite sex, children. Some people believ...