Jessica
Hecker
LGBT Community
Those in the LGBT community have a long history of facing oppression, they have dealt with discrimination, hate crimes, and isolation. Unlike today’s much more widely accepting society, it was rare to find members of the LGBT community that effortlessly revealed their sexuality and experienced no hardships. Growing up in a world full of hate where the easiest option was to hide your true self can have major impacts on an individual.
My brother in particular faced many of these adversities, growing up in a family of seven where everyone categorized themselves as heterosexual, it became difficult for him to come to terms with his sexuality. I remember seeing my younger brother, Thomas, at the age of seven waltzing around the house with some of my moms’ lipstick and a yellow shirt he always used to wrap around his head to pose as his “long and luscious hair”. My parents always pushed the idea that my brother could be homosexual to the back of their heads, even when it clearly was right in front of them. Thomas always got teased at a younger age by kids in school and on sports teams that he was too feminine and never knew how to just hang out with “the boys”. As my brother advanced to middle school the taunting increased, he tried to hide his true self by dating other girls, involving himself in sports he hated, and rejecting any type of femininity he had inside. However, my brother could no longer cope with the torture he was inflicting upon himself, and not wanting to face the tormented words of other middle school boys he turned to self-harm. A very common reaction upon middle and high schoolers today that can no longer cope with the isolation, rejection, and differences they face in school. After two long years of seeing a therapist and receiving lots of love and support from his family, he has almost fully recovered and come to terms with his sexuality and who he truly is. Although the battle with Thomas has for the most part ended in school, it continues on in our household. I was fortunately the first to be informed when Thomas “came out of the closet”, following with my mother and stepdad. My other two brothers being too little to comprehend what the turn ‘homosexual’ even meant, there was just my dad left to inform; him being a strict, old-fashioned, conservative man he rejects the idea of anyone having feelings towards one of the same-sex. Unfortunately, my brother has yet to break the news to him, seeming he will be forced out of the house if so…it is something that hinders my brother every day.
The community I would like to be a part of is the LGBT community here at FSU. I first became interested as an ally due to my younger brother. Thomas being a high-spirited, inviting, fourteen-year-old who thrives on helping others, him and I have become extremely close ever since he revealed his sexuality to me; this connection became even more significant due to the fact that it has been shamed upon from my family. My brother came to terms with his true sexuality prior to telling me and struggled with this for a while; however, upon trusting me with this information it has allowed him to become truer to himself and relieve much of the stress he had been dealing with. Along with announcing this information to me I discovered that he not only struggled internally, but socially. Joining this community as not only an ally, but an activist to help promote acceptance and inclusion, as well as fight the number of teen suicides & self-harm from those in the LGBT community will pay tribute to what my brother has endured. Him and I come from a conservative, separated, old-fashioned type of family; fortunately, Thomas recently released his sexuality to my mother, although she is still hesitant and uncomfortable with the situation, my mother has learned to at least accept him for who he really is. The content of my brother’s situation is one that should never be experienced by any other individual, it is a demeaning response to one’s true self. My brother is one of my favorite people in this world, he, like everyone else just would like to be accepted and included while remaining genuine. It is ill-fated that people in today’s society cannot come to terms with others sexuality, feelings, and likings, especially when those people are your own parents. Although my brother has made far advancements in himself, he has progressed to making advancements within the LGBT community. Thomas has begun to create a GSA organization within his own high school and encouraged the school’s administration to administer regular lectures and public service announcements regarding bullying in the student body. I wish to follow in my brother’s footsteps as a supporter of the LGBT society and reduce the harm upon this community, while increasing the amount of inclusion.
The LGBT community at Florida State has flourished in numbers and acceptance throughout the years. Making its’ mark in 1969, the Pride Student Union was created here at Florida State, making it the largest and most prominent LGBT student-run organization on campus (Horton 2014). Their mission is to advocate for, empower and provide community spaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in Tallahassee. Since the beginning of LGBT rights and incorporation there have been monumental strides within the community: pride parades, all-gender restrooms, and same-sex marriages. The purpose of the Pride Union initiated at FSU was not only to make those in the LGBT community feel welcome and safe but to hold a variety of events to educate and inform participants about issues facing society today. It is a wide belief that through education and understanding, a difference can be made. Those in the LGBT community view its’ past and inhumane treatment as a vital part of human rights history, it shall not be forgotten so that it may never be repeated. The terms pride or gay pride are used to express the community’s identity and collective strength.
Born This Way has been the rallying statement for the gay rights movement, a simple slogan cited as the basis for both political change and cultural acceptance (Horton 2014). Gay rights advocates have used this to make the case for legal equality, and allies have declared it when standing in solidarity. The LGBT community has only grown stronger and more united as time has continued, as more allies have contributed their sense of purpose thus far to overcome all obstacles and limitations in their way.
The LGBT community, like many other minorities have suffered discrimination, hate, and oppression. However, similar to other minorities they have thrived beyond this aversion and come out stronger than ever. In today’s society the LGBT community is more supported and united than ever. The LGBT community withholds nearly half of America’s population, greater than ever before, allies within the society feel more comfortable than ever coming out as their true identity. This is not to say that progress cannot still be made. Self-harm and suicide is still a massive issue throughout the community, it has been found that the highest rates of teen suicide belong to those in the LGBT community. While great strides have been made and numerous hurdles have been overcome, there is still something to say about the extensive amount of teen suicides among those in the community. Much of these tragedies results from bullying and discrimination of LGBT youth, much of which is seen on high school and college campuses.
Since this growth in self-harm, more attention has been focused on the issues and underlying causes in efforts to reduce such suicides. The Family Acceptance Project’s research has gone above and beyond in investigating how to prevent such misfortunes. Their research has concluded that parental acceptance, and even neutrality in regard to a child’s sexual orientation can bring down the attempted suicide rate. Contrary to my younger brother’s case, he experienced shame and dismay upon revealing his sexual orientation, which contributed to his decision of self-harm.
Through personal experience, those in the LGBT community are human beings like everyone else and there should never be an objection to that statement. The same way people might fight for the equality of other minorities, those in the LGBT community should receive the same. Allies focus on including and accepting other members but go a step further to educate the rest of society. Knowledge is power and should be used for the greater good to create enhancements in society. Those in the LGBT community want nothing more than to rest on a level playing field, through all of the oppression and suffering they have endured, society has no say in objecting to grant this community the equal rights they deserve.
What those not in the LGBT community cannot comprehend is that these challenges faced every day contribute to the self-destruction faced by those in the community. Although it is much more widely accepted to reveal you are attracted to the same sex, it is still looked down upon by many people and cultures. And those in the LGBT community that still battle with this type of exclusion face it even more upon entering middle and high school, however there comes a different type of transition upon entering college. Recent attention has been paid to the unique ways in which LGBT college students experience and adjust to college. “A study by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (Rankin, 2003) found that over one third of LGBT college students reported experiencing harassment on campus…20% of LGBT students reported fearing for their safety on campus…and over 50% reported hiding their sexual orientation or gender identity to avoid feeling intimidated on campus (Rankin, 2003),” (Schmidt 2011). Such discriminations experienced by members in the LGBT community affects their development, and has associated them with depressive symptoms, psychological distress, and participation in risky sexual behaviors. There is no denying that those in the LGBT community face much more judgement on a college campus, which involuntarily forces them to “band together”. In a recent survey of heterosexual college students “it was found that discrimination based on sexual orientation remains a socially sanctioned form of prejudice and includes traditional heterosex- ism, devaluing the gay and lesbian equality movement, aversion to lesbians and gay men, among other overt and covert hostilities,” (Schmidt 2011).
Not all individuals experience the same discrimination however, and some not at all, in part due to the social factors at play in one’s life. Social support has been the leading factor against negative mental health outcomes related to minority stress faced by LGBT individuals. “Similarly, research has shown that social support may have a moderating effect on the psychological impact of many negative experiences, including discrimination,” (Schmidt 2011), understanding how the perception of discrimination relates to the important development of adjustment to college and society is particularly important as it has been related to a variety of adverse outcomes for those in the LGBT community.
In order to combat such harassments of those in the LGBT community it seems practical to implement inclusive practices in public schools. Safe-school projects have been initiated in multiple schools across the country resulting in significant advances among acceptance and unity, “common prescriptions include enforcing anti-ha-rassment (bullying) policies, encouraging teachers to come out (to serve as role models), offering positive curricular representations of gays and les-bians, and supporting the development of gay- straight alliances” (Talburt 2010). Another approach to minimize bullying and discrimination is to inform heterosexual students to promote tolerance while cultivating self-esteem and countering negative stereotypes to those in the LGBT community.
PFLAG is an interactive support group that promotes the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, copping with an adverse society, education, enlightenment, and advocacy to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights (PFLAG-Tallahassee 2016). It has become an international organization, but my focus has come to a more local subgroup: PFLAG-Tallahassee. Based off of their extensive and informative website I have been given the chance to visualize what an impact inclusion, education, and acceptance can make on a community. Filled with blog posts, educational articles, supportive feedback, and access to contributive donations PFLAG-Tallahassee has given the community the opportunity to better themselves and those around. PFLAG-Tallahassee is an extension of the main website PFLAG, which encompasses most of the helpful information. However, the more local organization focuses on the events and participation of those in the town, keeping their website up to date with meeting dates, pictures, and local news and articles. The local group keeps their website and Facebook group more to a minimum and relies more heavily on the central website to supply more informative and up-to-date items. The main website suffices national news, navigation to other national chapters, media, merchandise, and individual’s stories. For those in the LGBT community in need of help or support can certainly rely on this website as well as those of other chapters to get specific help and guidance in times of need.
Those in the LGBT community have faced a long history of oppression and isolation, one that has never been permissible. Through the use of educational support programs, anti-bullying courses, organizations like PFLAG, as well as friends and family, we can make a difference throughout our society. As no minority group should face discrimination, we should never inflict it upon others. Individuals can use platforms like PFLAG to better direct others and help oneself cope with any relevant issues. Webpages and support groups are intended to benefit those struggling under certain circumstances, as well as enforce the tactic of education to better the surrounding communities. Texts like PFLAG and its’ chapters are vital genres to the LGBT community to ensure individuals that there are people beyond their family and friends that care for their health and well-being. Today’s society has made big strides in the face of acceptance and support, allowing others to freely express themselves, a right that every individual should be given. My younger brother’s experiences have driven me to become so engaged in this welcoming community, embracing that there is never anything wrong with one’s true self. My brother’s ability to overcome his obstacles has proven that with the right amount of support, education, and comfort, we as a society can make major changes in the well-being of others for the better. The LGBT community is ever growing and changing, conquering all hinderances passively. The LGBT representative flag captures all colors of the rainbow, representing that all persons are welcome with open arms, an important lesson that everyone should accept and enforce. Other support groups and communities portray the same message of educating the ill-minded and comforting the oppressed, similar to members and allies of the LGBT community, the significance of passive love and understanding has circulated our society and become the basis for changing our environment. Minorities and other social groups under discrimination and oppression have exercised this belief and are changing our society, making it a more understanding, open-minded, and accepting community.
Works Cited
1. Schmidt, Christa et al. "Perceived Discrimination And Social Support: The Influences On
Career Development And College Adjustment Of LGBT College Students - Christa K. Schmidt, Joseph R. Miles, Anne C. Welsh, 2011". Journals.Sagepub.Com, 2018, http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0894845310372615. Accessed 15 July 2018.
2. Holland, Laurel. "“That's So Gay!” Exploring College Students' Attitudes Toward The
LGBT Population". Tandfonline.Com, 2018, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00918369.2013.760321. Accessed 15 July 2018.
3. McCabe, Paul, and Florence Rubinson. "Committing To Social Justice: The Behavioral
Intention Of School Psychology And Education Trainees To Advocate For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, And Transgendered Youth". Researchgate, 2018, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Paul_Mccabe5/publication/232507162_Committing_to_social_justice_The_behavioral_intention_of_school_psychology_and_education_trainees_to_advocate_for_lesbian_gay_bisexual_and_transgendered_youth/links/54e23c8a0cf2966637962c35.pdf. Accessed 15 July 2018
4. Talburt, Susan. “Constructions of LGBT Youth: Opening Up Subject Positions.” Taylor
& Francis, Theory Into Practice, 24 June 2010, www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15430421tip4302_4.
5. Johnson, R. Bradley, et al. “Suicide Prevention for LGBT Students.” Freshwater
, Wiley/Blackwell (10.1111), 22 Mar. 2013, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ss.20040.
6. Horton, Jonathan, et al. “Celebrating the Spectrum.” Sga.fsu.edu, 2014.
7. PFLAG-Tallahassee. “About Us.” PFLAG-Tallahassee, 2016, www.pflag-tallahassee.org
Annotated Bibliography
1. Schmidt, Christa et al. "Perceived Discrimination And Social Support: The Influences
On Career Development And College Adjustment Of LGBT College Students - Christa K. Schmidt, Joseph R. Miles, Anne C. Welsh, 2011". Journals.Sagepub.Com, 2018, http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0894845310372615. Accessed 15 July 2018.
The experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) college students have been an increasing area of interest in the realm of career development in recent years. Although career theorists have posited the importance of considering context when examining career development, the specific variables related to LGBT individuals' experiences warrant further investigation. The aim of this study was to examine how the perception of discrimination and social support related to career development and college adjustment in an LGBT undergraduate student sample. This article will pertain to my research paper since it deals with adjustments those in the LGBT community must make when entering college and how it has shaped them as a person. The level of social adjustments and support received can change one’s experience, and results from this study can offer guidance on how to make a positive change on my campus.
2. Holland, Laurel. "“That's So Gay!” Exploring College Students' Attitudes Toward
The LGBT Population". Tandfonline.Com, 2018, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00918369.2013.760321. Accessed 15 July 2018.
Traditional students are often introduced to unfamiliar subcultures for the first time on the college campus. Recent high school graduates find themselves transitioning from an atmosphere in which homophobia is likely to be tolerated and possibly even expected to an educational setting in which diversity is promoted. Research shows that the college years are influential in the re-socialization of core values, yet very little work focuses on the ideological shifts that may take place in attitudes toward the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) population. In addition to examining religion, gender, and race—factors that have been correlated in past research with differing levels of tolerance toward the LGBT community—this study adds politics, sexual orientation, academic class standing, and college of major—variables that have received little or no attention in this literature. This article will pertain to my research paper since it deals with adjustments those in the LGBT community must make when entering college and how it has shaped them as a person. The level of social adjustments and support received can change one’s experience, and results from this study can offer guidance on how to make a positive change on my campus.
3. McCabe, Paul, and Florence Rubinson. "Committing To Social Justice: The
Behavioral Intention Of School Psychology And Education Trainees To Advocate For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, And Transgendered Youth". Researchgate, 2018, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Paul_Mccabe5/publication/232507162_Committing_to_social_justice_The_behavioral_intention_of_school_psychology_and_education_trainees_to_advocate_for_lesbian_gay_bisexual_and_transgendered_youth/links/54e23c8a0cf2966637962c35.pdf. Accessed 15 July 2018
The current study explored how graduate students in education, school psychology, and counseling are being prepared to help ensure an equal and safe learning environment for youth identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans- gendered (LGBT). Focus groups were conducted with graduate students in a school of education that has made social justice a cornerstone of its conceptual framework. Focus group questions directed students to reflect on their knowledge and behaviors in addressing social justice issues in schools, and more specifically on issues pertaining to LGBT youth, such as antigay harassment and expression of sexual orientation for youth in schools. This article will pertain to my research paper since it deals with adjustments those in the LGBT community must make when entering college and how it has shaped them as a person. The level of social adjustments and support received can change one’s experience, and results from this study can offer guidance on how to make a positive change on my campus.
4. Talburt, Susan. “Constructions of LGBT Youth: Opening Up Subject
Taylor & Francis, Theory Into Practice, 24 June 2010, www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15430421tip4302_4.
This article questions the effects of forms of knowledge adults create that frame LGBT youth. The author focuses on dominant images of the LGBT youth at-risk and the adolescent who adopts a secure gay identity. She argues that gay identity development models and subcultural theories create a group with defined needs to which adults and school programs should respond. If used unreflectively, these normative constructions, which justify and underlie the premises of school change, can exclude youth and ignore their creativity. The article points to the need to learn from and with youth in expanding inclusive school programs. Considering that the point of my research paper is to continue to implement “safe school programs” into more public schools, providing those in the LGBT community with more comfortability and less hinderance. The perspective that many old-school adults have on the LGBT community is one focus that must be altered, mainly to protect those with denying or critical parents. This article specifically can give others insight on how to better their community and give justice and fair treatment to those in the LGBT community.
5.Johnson, R. Bradley, et al. “Suicide Prevention for LGBT Students.” Freshwater
Wiley/Blackwell (10.1111), 22 Mar. 2013, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ss.20040.
This chapter explores the intersection of mental health concerns and suicide of LGBT college students on campus, including bullying and cyberbullying. One campus's approach to providing support for these students is discussed. This article may be used in my research paper for statistics on the mental health concerns on those in the LGBT community. Although bullying and cyberbullying has become a common problem among teenagers in today’s society, it more profoundly affects in the community of my focus. If this type of information, about the mental health concerns and suicide rates that are enhanced across college campuses, can be broadcasting throughout the student body it may create a major change for others to realize the harm they are subconsciously causing. This article may be used for a various amount of reasons and evidence in multiple other research papers; it may be used for other papers defending the rights of the LGBT community, or it may be used as evidence of the increasing problem of bullying and cyberbullying, specifically across college campuses.
6. Horton, Jonathan, et al. “Celebrating the Spectrum.” Sga.fsu.edu, 2014.
Celebrating the Spectrum is portrayed as a handbook on the SGA FSU webpage to educate and support those in the LGBT community on campus. Highlighted with its’ history with FSU, special events and dates, proper pronouns, influential figures, and progress around campus and throughout the world, this handbook serves its’ purpose to create a more accepting and supportive environment. This information has become extremely helpful to me and my research to better grasp its’ role played on campus and the significance of it. Giving me a better understanding on the stance taken here at FSU for zero tolerance and educational purposed to create more respect throughout the student body. Compiled with various facts, stories, and important references, Celebrating the Spectrum serves its’ purpose to spread awareness and education to FSU students.
7. PFLAG-Tallahassee. “About Us.” PFLAG-Tallahassee, 2016, www.pflag-tallahasse.org
An interactive chapter website based off the main organization PFLAG, this more local webpage gives residents the opportunity to become engaged and learn more about the well-being of those in the LGBT community and their friends and family. Supplied with blog posts, educational articles, support groups, and fundraising, PFLAG-Tallahassee gives the user more than enough support to cope or help cope those in the LGBT community. This website has helped me in my research by giving me insight to what they might do locally to promote and support those who may feel restricted, isolated, or unaccepted. Allied with friends and family, the PFLAG-Tallahassee chapter sole purpose is to help those in the LGBT community to cope with social, mental, or emotional constraints.