Introduction
Intersectionality is a concept that describes the social experiences of individuals mainly from minority populations. From a definition point of view, this term depicts a theoretical framework in which individuals’ varying social attributes determine their daily experiences (Launius and Holly). As a result, the complex or interlocked system of oppression results in chronic discrimination in multicultural communities. This discussion presents an analysis of the Lesbians, Gay Bisexual Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) members who experience discrimination frequently. Specifically, their intersectionality is further influenced by race and income-earning levels (Hurtado 261). As will be realized, individuals from minority populations who practice same-sex relationships are considered immoral and outcast by conservative individuals. Victims find it difficult to access essential public resources from healthcare, academic, or government agencies such as their neighbors and colleagues (Heard et al. 213). Most importantly, intersectionality constitutes a complex institutionalized practice that socially discriminates against individuals from minority populations who identify as LGBTQ members.
Discussion
Modern communities depict social diversity among their residents with varying cultural and ethnic attributes. Race is a form of identity in which members with similar skin qualities share common ancestral origins. For instance, minority populations in the U.S., such as Black Americans, Hispanic, and Latinos, share similar genetic characteristics leading to specific racial categorization (Wage Gap). Female employees from these minorities encounter wage challenges unlike their male counterparts. Essentially, individuals encounter additional discriminative practices for being members of the LGBTQ society (Heard et al. 214). In essence, this is a community of individuals with coinciding values regarding sexual orientation. For instance, they believe that persons of the same gender can participate in collaborative practices such as wedding ceremonies and parental meetings as husband and wife. This is a contradicting social practice and conservative individuals fail to acknowledge its existence. As a result, individuals from minority populations with gay or lesbian status are morally condemned by both individuals and institutions (Ferlatte et al. 1512). Victims endure varying forms of discrimination for having complex intersectionality in the race and sexual orientation.
The identity introduced above endures distinct oppression practices from fellow neighbors, classmates, colleagues, and state agencies. For instance, LGBTQ members are assaulted physically in dangerous streets for their sexual identity (The Trans Panic Epidemic). African American gays are the most commonly attacked victims by rogue and misinformed public members. In essence, these individuals find social life difficult in public places where people ethically judge others by appearance. Any attributes of same-sex relationships can result in public hate, with individuals attacking without reason or purpose. Additionally, individuals with race and same-sex intersectionality encounter institutionalized oppression from public agencies (Heard et al. 214). For example, access to general medical services is highly restricted by discriminative social practices in healthcare organizations. These victims also encounter community hate in academic institutions such as colleges and universities depicted in social policies and disciplinary mechanisms. Consequently, LGTBQ members from minority communities in the U.S. show a lack of confidence and self-esteem required for interacting in a public domain.
In most cases, individuals with unique sexual identities depict attributes perceived distinctly by other community members. For instance, gays believe in equal rights of marriage as ordinary couples with male and female partners. This perception differs sharply among individuals with conservative perceptions guided by cultural or religious beliefs (Hurtado 264). For instance, both Christians and Muslims condemn same-sex marriages as it defies their moral and cultural values. Similarly, political leaders who depict traditional virtues also display differing perspectives of LGBTQ community members (Heard et al. 215). For instance, the practice is highly discouraged among racial minorities in the U.S. for lacking social ethics of sexual identities, such as giving birth. Ordinary individuals with administrative authority over the public, including police and security agents, also perceive same-sex relationships as outcasts requiring moral condemnation. Common attributes of intersectionality contribute substantially to existing racial discrimination among LGTBQ persons among racial minorities.
Several unique experiences challenge individuals from minority populations practicing same-sex relationships. For instance, many victims are discriminated against in healthcare institutions established to serve all public members (Hurtado 268). In essence, these institutions are critical to the growth of multicultural societies. Sick public members with government funding are referred to state hospitals for treatment by qualified medical practitioners. Individuals access vital diagnoses from experienced doctors who prescribe medication required for treating a condition. In this context, LGBTQ members encounter social discrimination in these institutions limiting access to quality medical care. Their intersectionality causes moral contradiction among professionals with specific religious beliefs regarding same-sex relationships (Ferlatte et al. 1512). This is a unique experience for residents with equal rights as neighbors, colleagues, and friends. As a result, their racial identity and sexual orientation should not form the basis of social hate evidenced in discriminative practices against victims. Most importantly, the unique experience makes LGTBQ members vulnerable to public attack with little intervention from state authorities.
Another unique experience among sufferers of intersectionality includes regressive social policies and strict disciplinary measures in colleges and universities. The individuals encounter frequent hate from classmates with conservative views on same-sex as a form of identity. For example, they are insulted in institutions’ public spaces, including sports or academic functions. Most notably, victims experience stricter measures for ensuring discipline among students than their peers. This experience is imminent during case verdicts where sexual orientation is perceived to be of moral importance. It is worth noting that academic institutions are mandated to provide intellectual knowledge to all public members. Services should be offered without discriminative practices against individuals with unique sexual identities. In this case, intersectionality plays a vital role in determining the quality and level of knowledge relayed to same-sex students (Heard et al. 218). As a result, their limited involvement in educational activities results in reducing interests in gaining academic wisdom.
In addition, members of the LGBTQ community also encounter unique experiences regarding public safety and security. It is the responsibility of state or federal authorities to protect vulnerable populations (Hurtado 269). Police officers are mandated with operational roles of enforcing order which includes protecting individuals with diverse sexual identities. However, it is common to find individuals practicing same-sex marriage complaining of uncoordinated efforts on an insecurity incident. For instance, an administrative official can present inaccurate details for recording an assault case against an African-American gay. Victims complain of discrimination as police tend to laud attackers for causing harm to an LGBTQ member (Ferlatte et al. 1517). From a critical perspective, it is fundamental that security officers offer security to all public members irrespective of their personal beliefs entailing sexual identity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, intersectionality presents a valuable framework for exploring modern oppression based on identity. LGBTQ society represents individuals with specific perceptions concerning sexual orientation. Conservative community members with cultural and religious values condemn these individuals, especially when they are racial minorities. The U.S. has depicted many instances of oppression against same-sex partners. The complex and institutionalized public hate affects equal access to national resources by all general members. Most importantly, institutions offering community services should ensure equality when attending to the needs of public members.
Works Cited
“The Trans Panic Epidemic: The Daily Show.” YouTube, uploaded by the Daily Show with Trevor Noah, 2016, Web.
“Wage Gap: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO).” YouTube, uploaded by LastWeekTonight, 2014. Web.
Ferlatte, Olivier, et al. “Recent Suicide Attempts across Multiple Social Identities among Gay and Bisexual Men: An Intersectionality Analysis.” Journal of Homosexuality vol. 65, no.11, 2018, pp. 1507-1526.
Heard Harvey, Courtney CC, and Richard J. Ricard. “Contextualizing the Concept of Intersectionality: Layered Identities of African American Women and Gay Men in the Black Church.” Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development vol. 46, no.3, 2018, pp. 206-218.
Hurtado, AĂda. “Underground Feminisms: Inocencia’s Story.” Chicana Feminisms. Duke University Press, 2003, pp. 260-291.
Launius, Christie, and Holly Hassel. Threshold Concepts in Women’s and Gender Studies: Ways of Seeing, Thinking, and Knowing. 2nd ed., Routledge, 2018.