✊🏼Issues of Race and Gender Unit 6 – LGBTQ+ Rights and Queer Theory

Historical Context

• LGBTQ+ rights movement emerged in the late 1960s following the Stonewall Riots in New York City (1969) which sparked protests against police harassment and discrimination
• Early activism focused on decriminalizing homosexuality, combating discrimination, and increasing visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals
  • Homophile movement of the 1950s and 1960s laid the groundwork for later activism (Mattachine Society, Daughters of Bilitis)
• AIDS crisis in the 1980s devastated the gay community and led to increased activism and visibility (ACT UP, Queer Nation)
• Gradual shift towards mainstream acceptance and legal protections in the late 20th and early 21st centuries (marriage equality, anti-discrimination laws)
• Historical figures such as Harvey Milk, Marsha P. Johnson, and Sylvia Rivera played key roles in advancing LGBTQ+ rights
• Stonewall Riots are commemorated annually during Pride Month celebrations worldwide

Key Concepts in Queer Theory

• Queer theory emerged in the early 1990s as an academic discipline that challenges traditional notions of gender and sexuality
• Judith Butler's concept of gender performativity argues that gender is not innate but rather a socially constructed performance
• Heteronormativity refers to the assumption that heterosexuality is the default or "normal" sexual orientation
  • Queer theory seeks to disrupt and challenge heteronormative assumptions and binary gender categories
• Intersectionality, coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, examines how multiple marginalized identities (race, gender, sexuality, class) interact and shape individual experiences
• Queer theory emphasizes the fluidity and diversity of gender and sexual identities, rejecting fixed categories and binaries
• Foucault's analysis of power and discourse has influenced queer theorists' understanding of how sexuality is regulated and controlled
• Homonormativity critiques the assimilation of LGBTQ+ individuals into mainstream heteronormative culture and institutions

LGBTQ+ Identities and Terminology

• LGBTQ+ is an acronym that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and others (+)
  • Acronym has expanded over time to include additional identities (LGBTQIA+, LGBTQ2S+)
• Sexual orientation refers to an individual's emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to others (gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual)
• Gender identity is an individual's internal sense of their own gender, which may or may not align with their sex assigned at birth (cisgender, transgender, non-binary, genderfluid)
  • Gender expression refers to how an individual presents their gender through appearance, behavior, and other external characteristics
• Queer is a reclaimed umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of non-normative gender and sexual identities
• Intersex refers to individuals born with sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies
• Two-Spirit is a term used by some Indigenous North American communities to describe individuals who embody both masculine and feminine spirits
• It is important to respect individual self-identification and use preferred pronouns (she/her, he/him, they/them)

Legal Milestones in LGBTQ+ Rights

• Decriminalization of homosexuality began in the mid-20th century (UK 1967, US 2003 with Lawrence v. Texas)
• Stonewall Riots (1969) catalyzed the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement and led to the formation of activist organizations (Gay Liberation Front, Gay Activists Alliance)
• Removal of homosexuality as a mental disorder from the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) in 1973
• Passage of anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals in employment, housing, and public accommodations (US Civil Rights Act of 1964, US Fair Housing Act)
  • US Supreme Court ruled in Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects LGBTQ+ individuals from employment discrimination
• Legalization of same-sex marriage in various countries (Netherlands 2001, US 2015 with Obergefell v. Hodges)
• Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the US military (2011) allowing openly LGBTQ+ individuals to serve
• Increasing legal recognition and protections for transgender individuals (gender identity laws, bathroom bills)

Intersectionality and LGBTQ+ Experiences

• Intersectionality highlights how LGBTQ+ individuals with multiple marginalized identities face compounded discrimination and unique challenges
  • For example, LGBTQ+ people of color may experience racism within the LGBTQ+ community and homophobia/transphobia within their racial/ethnic communities
• Black transgender women face disproportionately high rates of violence, poverty, and discrimination
• LGBTQ+ immigrants, particularly those who are undocumented, navigate complex intersections of sexuality, gender identity, race, and citizenship status
• Socioeconomic class shapes access to resources, healthcare, and support systems for LGBTQ+ individuals
• LGBTQ+ people with disabilities encounter ableism and accessibility barriers in addition to heterosexism and cissexism
• Intersectional approaches are crucial for understanding and addressing the diverse needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ communities

Queer Representation in Media and Culture

• Historically, LGBTQ+ characters in media were often stereotyped, tokenized, or depicted as tragic figures (Bury Your Gays trope)
• Increasing visibility and positive representation of LGBTQ+ characters in film, television, and literature (Will & Grace, Brokeback Mountain, Orange is the New Black)
  • GLAAD Media Awards recognize fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of the LGBTQ+ community in media
• Queerbaiting refers to the practice of hinting at LGBTQ+ relationships or characters to attract viewers without providing substantive representation
• Queer coding involves subtextually implying a character's LGBTQ+ identity through stereotypes, mannerisms, or other signifiers
• LGBTQ+ media representation is important for increasing visibility, challenging stereotypes, and providing role models for LGBTQ+ youth
• Queer art, literature, and performance (drag, ballroom culture) have long been sites of resistance, creativity, and community-building
• Social media and online platforms have enabled LGBTQ+ individuals to connect, share experiences, and create content

Current Challenges and Activism

• Ongoing violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender women of color
  • Hate crimes, homelessness, and suicide rates remain disproportionately high among LGBTQ+ populations
• Lack of federal non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in the US (Equality Act)
• Transgender rights, including access to healthcare, identification documents, and participation in sports
  • "Bathroom bills" and other legislation seek to restrict transgender individuals' access to public facilities
• Conversion therapy, which attempts to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, is still legal in many countries and US states
• Intersectional activism and organizations address the specific needs and experiences of marginalized LGBTQ+ communities (Black Lives Matter, Sylvia Rivera Law Project)
• HIV/AIDS activism and advocacy continues, focusing on access to prevention, testing, and treatment
• LGBTQ+ youth face challenges such as bullying, family rejection, and lack of support in schools
  • Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) and LGBTQ+-inclusive curricula aim to create safer and more inclusive educational environments

Global Perspectives on LGBTQ+ Rights

• LGBTQ+ rights vary widely across the world, with some countries offering legal protections and recognition while others criminalize same-sex relationships
• Countries such as Canada, Australia, and various European nations have enacted comprehensive LGBTQ+ rights legislation
  • In 2017, Germany legalized same-sex marriage and adoption
• Homosexuality remains criminalized in over 70 countries, with penalties ranging from imprisonment to the death penalty
  • Brunei faced international backlash in 2019 for implementing laws that punished same-sex activity with death by stoning
• LGBTQ+ activists and organizations work to advance rights and protections in their respective countries and regions (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association - ILGA)
• Yogyakarta Principles (2006) outline the application of international human rights law to sexual orientation and gender identity
• Refugee and asylum programs provide support for LGBTQ+ individuals fleeing persecution in their home countries
• Pride events and marches are held worldwide to celebrate LGBTQ+ identities, increase visibility, and advocate for rights
  • In some countries, Pride events face violence, opposition, or government bans