What pressures do LGBTQIA+people face?
1. Social discrimination and prejudice
At the family level: Many LGBTQIA+individuals may face incomprehension, rejection, and even abuse from their family members after coming out to them. For example, some parents may consider their child's sexual orientation or gender identity as a "shame" and attempt to intervene by forcing them to change, undergoing so-called "corrective treatment," or cutting off economic support. This kind of denial from the family has a huge psychological impact on them, which may lead them into feelings of self doubt, depression, and anxiety.
On a social level: In social interactions, they may face discriminatory language, strange looks, and malicious speculation from others. For example, in public places, a same-sex couple holding hands may receive sarcastic or insulting comments from passersby. They may also become targets of bullying or exclusion in schools or workplaces, which can affect their normal learning, work, and social activities.
Religious and cultural aspects: Certain religious doctrines and traditional cultural beliefs hold a negative attitude towards the LGBTQIA+community. In some religious groups, they may be seen as entities that violate doctrine and are condemned by religious figures. In some areas with strong cultural traditions, social customs may limit their way of life, making it difficult for them to freely express their identity.
2. Insufficient protection of legal rights and interests
In many countries and regions, the LGBTQIA+community still faces significant inequalities in terms of legal rights. For example, same-sex marriage has not yet been legalized globally, which means that same-sex partners cannot enjoy the same marriage rights as heterosexual partners, such as restricted rights in property inheritance, medical decision-making, adoption of children, and so on. They may also face discrimination in areas such as employment, housing, and public services due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, and lack effective legal protection. For example, some employers may refuse to hire LGBTQIA+individuals, or take unfair treatment such as demotion or dismissal after discovering an employee's sexual orientation or gender identity.
3. Psychological health issues
Long term social pressure and discrimination can lead to various mental health problems among the LGBTQIA+population. They have a relatively high proportion of psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal tendencies. The confusion of self-identity is also an important source of stress. For those who are still exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity, they may struggle between social expectations and their true inner feelings, leading to strong internal conflicts. For example, a bisexual person may feel confused about their emotions due to fear of being labeled as "disloyal" or "chaotic," and this self doubt can affect their mental health and normal life.
4. Healthcare challenges
In the medical field, they may face some special challenges. Some healthcare providers may lack sufficient understanding of LGBTQIA+health issues, such as being unfamiliar with gender confirmation surgery, hormone therapy, and other related knowledge when providing medical services to transgender individuals, or ignoring their special needs when providing routine medical services. Moreover, LGBTQIA+individuals may also encounter some psychologists or counselors who do not understand them when seeking mental health support, resulting in poor treatment outcomes. In addition, they may also encounter issues with medical insurance coverage, such as some insurance policies not covering treatment costs related to gender confirmation.
If you are facing these pressures and have nowhere to vent, you can consider joining the LesPark community to discuss with everyone. LesPark is a pure female user with over 30 million like-minded individuals from more than 30 countries and regions around the world. Everyone can share their own culture, lifestyle, interests, and hobbies, promoting the exchange and integration of diverse cultures. Come and learn about the diverse lives of women around the world.
