An Ongoing Journey For Equality.
By Emily Maciel
Introduction
What defines equality?
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, equality is defined as, "The right of different groups of people to have a similar social position and receive the same treatment" no matter sex or race. This means that individuals of the LGBTQ+ community should receive the same treatment, protection, support, and respect from not only the government but other communities and individuals.
"You don't have to be gay to be a supporter- you just have to be a Human." - Daniel Radcliffe
The Transformation of the Pink Triangle
From Shame to Pride
When the Nazi Party rose to power in 1933, they began to use harsh and cruel methods of discrimination. In their attempt to “purify” Germany, many LGBTQ+ individuals experienced cruel treatment that would further separate them from other individuals. Gay men were not only forced to identify with individuals who were convicted of incest and pedophilia but also wear an inverted pink triangle on their clothing which caused them to be shunned by other prisoners and receive the worst levels of treatment in the camps. As a result, the inverted pink triangle became a symbol of shame and guilt for many individuals. However, the 1970s created a turning point for a once shameful symbol. In 1972, The Men with the Pink Triangle was published. This autobiography gave insight into the life of brutality for a gay concentration camp prisoner. Additionally, this writing exposed several brutal experiences that Heinz Heger had experienced while incarcerated. In 1986, the AIDs crisis created a negative narrative against gay individuals. Because gay men were the main group contracting this virus, people targeted them with threats and more degradation. Thus, several LGBTQ+ circles began joining together and calling for a need to act and advocate. Many individuals began to wear the pink triangle as a symbol of self-identification, pride, and power. Today, it not only serves to empower LGBTQ+ individuals but it is also as a reminder of the past and the injustices the LGBTQ + community still faces today.
The Beginning of the Journey
The Stonewall Rebellion
Until the 1960s, previous years had been very difficult for LGBTQ+ individuals. Many US citizens were heavily discriminated against and were forced to only attend gay bars, clubs, or known safe locations. One of these locations was Stonewall Inn: a gay bar where anyone from drag queens to homeless gay youths could attend. This bar became popular not only because it was safer, but also because it allowed gays to have more freedom within. Although this bar was more exclusive, the police would still come and harass individuals. However, on the morning of June 28, 1969, the police raided the Stonewall Inn and arrested 13 people. This included employees and people who were in violation of the gender-appropriate clothing statute. Unlike previous times, the bar attendees did not flee. As an officer hit a lesbian with much force, the growing crowd began throwing objects at the police. This group grew much larger, to hundreds of people, as they attempted to burn down the building where the police had barricaded. As a result of this event, a new force pushing for LBGTQ+ activism was created. Several gay rights organizations were created, which not only allowed individuals to become more involved in a community but also to advocate for their rights. In following years, thousands of people would march, announcing, “Say it loud, gay is proud” on the anniversary of this turning point event.
Steps Forward:
Begining of Social Change
- December 15, 1973, served as an important date for the growing LGBTQ+ community. By a difference of about 2,000 votes, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the list of Mental Disorders. This seemingly small step exposed other individuals to much broader and different beliefs regarding homosexuality. Additionally, outside individuals began to gain new positive perspectives on same-sex relations. As a result, individuals from the LGBTQ+ community were able to run for election and form further connections with their community and family.
- October 14, 1979, was the day of the first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. This event drew in about 75,000 – 125,000 people who all marched for LGBTQ+ rights. This event was significant for the attention it brought regarding LGBTQ+ rights and a drive to create social change regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sex, religion, or disabilities.
A Personal Perspective from the First National March on Washington
“That day, for a moment, it almost seemed that we stood on a height, and could see our inheritance; perhaps we could make the kingdom real; perhaps the beloved community would not forever remain the dream one dreamed in agony." - James Baldwin
Steps Backward:
Hardships were Faced and Overcame
- AIDS: When AIDS had an outbreak in the US, tension was created between the LGBTQ+ community and other citizens. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, five homosexual men who were previously healthy had become infected with AIDS. As the virus spread, most individuals contracting the virus had been gay men, intravenous drug users, immigrants, and racial minorities. As a result, there were high levels of backlash towards gay men. Many accused them of being the reason for the spread of the virus, causing discrimination toward many individuals.
- On September 21, 1996, President Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act. The signing of this act declared that marriage would be recognized as the uniting of a man and woman; states were given the power to reject same-sex marriages. This act directly violated the fifth amendment of US citizens. Although this act was later ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2013, in the Windsor v. United States case, for a period of almost 20 years, the LGBTQ+ community experienced another level of discrimination from the government.
Recently:
In 2020, the LGBTQ+ community is still pushing for equality and change.
In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled to protect LGBTQ+ employees under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In the case, Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, the Court ruled that employers could not fire an employee because of their identification, whether gay, lesbian, or transgender. This landmark decision allows all employees to be protected by federal law regardless of their gender or sexual identity. While this is not the last major achievement for the LGBTQ+ community, this is a crucial step to reaching equality in the workforce. As a result of this ruling, all workers now have the ability to file complaints for discrimination, allowing workers to protect themselves.
