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Sexual Orientation and Social Inequality

By on January 16, 2014

Most of our social institutions do not support homosexuals: politics (law: in some states to engage in homosexual conduct is a crime, same-sex marriages are not legal, and benefits to domestic partners is not universal), education (school curriculum usually does not include such diversity, teachers feel that this diversity should be in the curriculum but they do not want to teach it; most of the hate crimes against homosexuals occurs in schools, primarily high school), family (homosexuals often do not have family support; homosexual families not considered a family by a majority of society), religion, military, economics (institutional discrimination in the workplace is experienced by many homosexuals).(Image courtesy of nongpimmy/FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Homophobia is defined as “an intense, irrational fear of homosexuals”. It has also been described as “an excessive fear or intolerance of homosexuality”. Homophobia is a social disease and is not technically a social problem but societal response to it is a social problem. The cure to homophobia is education and tolerance via social learning. 

Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation
Remember that the definition of discrimination is “unfair treatment”. Aside from your specific beliefs on homosexuality the lack of marital rights for homosexuals is technically discrimination. This then acts as a snowball effect as think about all the other rights attached to marital rights that these individuals are denied. Other rights that are violated include: parental rights, housing discrimination, and discrimination in medical care (discrimination towards their loved ones oftentimes).

What Are The Solutions?
• Reduce inequality
• Repeal laws prohibiting gay rights
• Gay advocacy groups
If the law supports homosexual individuals a statement is being made as to how society should view these individuals and that is the first step towards equality.

Want to learn more?

There are several industrialized countries in which gay marriages are legal. Search the web to see which countries allow gay marriages. Search the web on other articles on gay marriages. Look for information on the pro’s and con’s.

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Teaching Sociology is very enjoyable for me. Sociology is like a gateway to a plethora of knowledge and understanding. The subject material is directly applicable to real-world events and situations found in everyday life. The methods and concepts of sociology yield powerful insights into the social processes shaping the contemporary world. The ability to identify and understand these processes is valuable preparation for professional participation in an ever changing and complex society.