The workplace has become perilous for the LGBTQ community. They are facing discrimination and harassment by their colleagues. Despite increasing acceptance and protection, many LGBT individuals still face difficulties at the workplace. It is not easy for someone who suffers mistreatment and harassment just because of their sexual orientation or gender presentation. It is really troubling and disturbing.
According to the social survey, 30% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons have experienced some form of harassment or discrimination at the office. Other than that, transgender employees are losing a promotion because of their sexual orientation. Transgender workers face higher rates of discrimination because of their gender expression. At the moment, women are finally taking steps to stop the sexual harassment that they are facing. The LGBTQ community should also step forward, too.
Types of LGBTQ discrimination:
Offensive terms and stereotyping:
It feels really bad when someone bullies you and passes comments just because of sexual orientation. Many of us have been the victim of derogatory terms in the past. So, this type of similar behavior sometimes happens at the workplace. This is just unacceptable, whether the abusive language is coming from a customer, a co-worker, or a manager.
People use bad words like “Tinkerbell” and “the homo” for the LGBTQ community. There should be rules and policies to protect and safeguard the LGBTQ community. They are also human beings and feel the same as us.
Termination and lack of opportunities:
Some managers and owners take wrong decisions and terminate the LGBTQ workers from working. With this, LGBTQ employees are not allowed the benefits like life insurance and medical benefits. Other examples include the denial of benefits or the loss of a job because of sexual preferences or gender expression.
Sexual assault:
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have become the victims of sexual assault, rape, and mistreatment. They also suffer sexual insults and receive threats at work.
Medical care discrimination:
LGBTQ individuals are not provided with the health benefits that are of their need. Bias and stigma in medical, employment, and other social settings can, in this way, not only have a significant mental and emotional toll but also pose dangers to physical health and wellbeing.
Examples of LGBTQ healthcare discrimination include:
- refusal of care
- promotion of inappropriate treatment interventions
- use of abusive language by a medical provider
- discrimination from fertility and sexual health specialists
Photo by Yan Krukov from Pexels
How Discrimination Affects LGBTQ Individuals?
Discrimination is something that kills a person from the inside. So, being bullied and harassed cannot be easily forgettable. It just disturbs the mental piece of a person. Just think, how difficult this is for LGBTQ person to face this in every place. Anti-LGBT discrimination increases the risks of poor mental and physical health for LGBT people, including depression, anxiety, suicidality, PTSD, substance use, and cardiovascular disease. Discrimination is linked to health harms even for those who are not directly exposed to it because the presence of discrimination, stigma, and prejudice creates a hostile social climate that taxes individuals’ coping resources and contributes to minority stress.
The impact of discrimination in the LGBTQ community may include effects on:
- physical health
- mental and psychological health
- education
- employment
- housing status
- treatment in public and social settings
- economic security
Conclusion:
If anyone of you is facing bigotry or molestation then you must put your feet after. Every LGBTQ must know their rights but if you experience such problems at your workplace, speak to your manager or HR office, or seek legal counsel if you feel your concerns are not being addressed. As an employer and co-worker, we must support LGBTQ members.
