Take action on discrimination towards LGB people
What can we do to help promote equality for LGB people?
What’s this all about?
Sexual orientation is basically about who you are attracted to. Usually, a guy likes a girl or vice versa, but sometimes a person will like someone who is the same sex as them. This is completely okay.
Bisexual people are attracted to people of their own sex as well as the opposite sex. Gay people are attracted to their own sex. A homosexual woman is often referred to as a lesbian. A homosexual man is often referred to as gay.
Some Facts:
It is estimated that at least 10% of the Irish population is lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB). Many young lesbian, gay or bisexual people attending secondary school are afraid to tell others about their sexual orientation because they fear they will be bullied. Therefore, many live in fear because of their sexual orientation.
Discussion:
Discrimination towards lesbian, gay and bisexual people is a major problem and has many implications. Many LGB people face exclusion and inequalities because of this. Discrimination impacts all aspects of these people’s lives including employment, education and relationships with family and friends. Gay and lesbian young people also have higher than average suicide and attempted suicide rates.
The LGB community is vulnerable to harassment and violence even at work, school or college. This is sometimes called homophobic bullying*. This is a major problem, which needs to be tackled.
People who work in health services need training so that they have the knowledge, skills and capacity to address the health needs of lesbians, gays and bisexuals. These people have the same rights as heterosexuals. They should not be treated any differently or face harassment. Their health needs should be understood.
The world is starting to stand up and take notice of sexual orientation. Same sex marriage is now even legal in some countries. Hopefully, the discrimination that was directed towards the LGB community in the past is starting to be wiped out. It has not been fully taken care of yet; but it is getting there.
What can we as young people do?
- Find out more about this issue and what work is being done specifically with young people in Ireland at www.belongto.org.
- Call for plans in your school or organisation to prevent and deal with homophobic bullying.
- You and only you decide when you are ready to talk to people about your sexual orientation.
- Talk to people whom you can trust and feel will not judge you.
- Talk about this issue openly with friends.
- Defend the LGB community if anybody makes unpleasant remarks or bad comments.
- Support Gay Pride parades or activities in your area.
Lobby the Minister for Education, local politicians and school educators to:
- Have more sex education classes in schools that look at the issues surrounding people being lesbian, gay or heterosexual.
- Declare they accept people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual and that they want to work towards equality.
*Homophobic bullying is bullying behaviour towards gay people because of fear of or dislike of them
Your Comments
There are no comments for this article yet, please leave one!
Login to leave a comment on this article
Login | Sign Up