Sexuality Discrimination
Discrimination is the consideration or opinion of a person based on their class distinction, race, or group that they identify with. Discrimination can take place in many ways such as race, age, ethnicity, skin color, religion and sexuality. [1]Human sexuality is the way one chooses to express themselves sexually. It can be in direct relation to their reproductive functions, or can be a choice of expressing the gender they experience. It includes sexual orientation, and the way they choose to express their orientation, including their gender identity. As sex is still a controversial subject, sexuality discrimination has become quite prevalent. Sexuality Discrimination can be seen across the boards such as in public spaces, schools, and work environments. Sexual Discrimination can also be seen as having detrimental effects on the individual who undergoes the discrimination.
Sexuality Discrimination in Public Spaces
Sexuality Discrimination in Public spaces can take place in many areas, such as the streets, malls, grocery stores or any place in the publics eye. This is the most broad term in which Sexuality Discrimination can be seen. In general, sexuality does not have a consensus of opinions, thus enforcing discrimination on anything other than what is perceived as the heterosexual norm. Although sexual orientation laws have prohibited laws against discriminating sexuality, they do not provide laws on certain sexual rights, such as displaying public affection[1]. (For more information on LGBT Rights in Vancouver, LGBTQ Rights in British Columbia). Therefore, this law becomes a bit blurry leaving room for sexuality discrimination on the basis of those who display their sexuality in public spaces.
"a key feature of licensing law is that it focuses on spaces and activities (use), meaning that it can reinforce heternormative moralities by supporting a landlord who takes the view that a same-sex kiss is likely disturb the social norms endemic to a specific venue"[1]- Phil Hubbard
Hubbard shows the significance of laws on public spaces and the ambiguousness that it leaves for personal expressions of sexuality, which warrants sexuality as vulnerable to Discrimination in public spaces.
Sexuality Discrimination in School
"It is as if the huge pressures which seek to close down alternative performance and re-instate heteronormative dominance in staffroom, playground and classroom, which often maintain unexamined expectations of heterosexuality, here join teachers and pupils together, and by establishing a scenario of ‘us and them’... "[2]- David Nixon
Sexuality Discrimination in schools can be a form of harassment and bullying, opinions, and exclusion of particular sexual identities. School can be a place that facilitates and encourages heterosexism due to the discriminant discourses created over the years on sexuality. While many schools do encourage policies and programs on non-discrimination against sexuality, many do not. Studies show that it is important for students to have policies and programs on this type of discrimination to prevent discrimination and harassment of students and teachers who don't identify as heterosexual or cisgendered and to create a more inclusive, open school environment. [3]Sexuality Discrimination has no boundaries and manifests itself in schools, classrooms, students and teachers. It creates divides between individuals and norms that carry through later on after schooling is completed.
Sexuality Discrimination in the work place
Sexuality Discrimination is seen in the workplace in a variety of factors. It can be seen between coworkers, managers, in hiring, and income. Just like any other public space, the work place creates an environment filled with opinions and attitudes from other people in the shared work place. This type of discrimination is a part of a broader category, employment discrimination. Heteronormativity can be seen in the work place due to the past hegemonic masculinity discourses on males in the paid labor and women in the kitchen. This discourse supported heteronormative behaviors in the work place by creating gender norms to follow, and anyone who deferred from the norm was therefor grounds for discrimination. Studies show that there are significant differences in income in heterosexual employees versus homosexual employees. Findings showed that those who identify as homosexual make less money than those who identify as cis-gendered heterosexuals[4]. Therefore, sexuality discrimination in the work place claims its dominance over anyone who doesn't follow heteronormative guidelines.
Effects of Sexuality Discrimination
Effects of Sexuality Discrimination include but are not limited to mental health problems, increased risk for substance abuse and self-harm. The 3 are all intertwined within each other but all stem from the outcomes of sexuality discrimination.
Mental health problems
While sexuality is expressed in many different ways, it comes with different social opinions and repercussions that not everyone may agree upon. According to recent studies, the effects of stress from sexual orientation discrimination are associated with reports of higher depressive symptoms [5]. Sexuality discrimination places societal attitudes and beliefs on individuals who express their sexuality in ways that are not perceived as the "norm". By discriminating against sexuality (such as LGBTQ or gender identities that are not perceived as heteronormative), those individuals face constant judgment, are subjects to opinions and can feel increasingly isolated. This discrimination all leads to an increase in stress, and therefore can increase depression in minority sexualities.
Substance abuse
Due to isolation, stress and poor self esteem, sexuality discrimination reinforces the risk of substance abuse in minority sexuality groups. According to recent findings, those in the LGBT community were more likely to vape, smoke, consume alcohol or partake in "heavy episodic drinking" or binge drinking than those who identified as cis-gendered heterosexual [6]. Discrimination increases negative effects such as substance abuse in those who have been harassed or discriminated against due to their sexuality.
Self-harm
Self harm is a self inflicted injury that some individuals take part in for various different reasons. Findings indicate that self harm is sometimes used as a coping mechanism to discrimination. As a result of discrimination and an increase in depressive symptoms, there is also a higher likelihood that LGBTQ people associate self harm with the discrimination of their sexuality. [7] This supports claims that sexuality discrimination has detrimental effects on individuals who don't identify with the perceived heterosexual norm by creating poor attitudes and opinions that encourage the use of self-harm to cope.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hubbard, Phil (September 2012). "Kissing is not a universal right: Sexuality, law and the scales of citizenship" (PDF). Geoforum. 49: 224–232 – via Elsevier.
- ↑ Nixon, David (Summer 2009). "Discrimination, performance and recuperation: How teachers and pupils challenge and recover discourses of sexualities in schools" (PDF). Teaching and Teacher Education. 26: 146–151 – via Elsevier.
- ↑ Chesir-Teran, Daniel; Hughes, Diane (August 2009). "Heterosexism in High School and Victimization Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Questioning Students". Journal of Youth and Adolescence. 38 (7): 963–975 – via ProQuest.
- ↑ Badgett, M.V. Lee (July 1995). "The Wage Effects of Sexual Orientation Discrimination". IRL Review. 48 (4): 726–739 – via JSTOR.
- ↑ Randall, Ashley K.; Chun, Tao; Totenhagen, Casey J.; Walsh, Kelsey J.; Cooper, Ashley N. (December 2016). "Associations Between Sexual Orientation Discrimination and Depression Among Same-Sex Couples: Moderating Effects of Dyadic Coping". Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy Innovations in Clinical and Educational Interventions. 16 (4): 325–345 – via Routledge.
- ↑ Coulter, Robert W.S.; Bersamin, Melina; Russel, Stephen T.; Mair, Christina (June 2018). "The Effects of Gender- and Sexuality-Based Harassment on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Substance Use Disparities". Journal of Adolescent Health. 62 (6): 645–646 – via Elsevier.
- ↑ McDermott, Elizabeth; Roen, Katrina; Piela, Anna (May 2013). "Explaining Self-Harm Youth Cybertalk and Marginalized Sexualities and Genders". Youth & Society. 47 (6): 873–889 – via Sage.