Homosexuality remains to be one of the most provocative issues across the globe, especially in the recent past. There has been a lot of activism against this group of people, especially in African and Asian countries. This has led to the gradual increase in the discrimination of gays and lesbians in workplaces, educational institutions, and other social places. Recent research indicates that the level of tolerance towards homosexuals varies across regions. The United States continues to register the high level of tolerance as compared to countries in South America, Asia, and Africa. On the other hand, human rights activists have not been ignoring this issue. They have made various attempts to lobby publicly for the rights of homosexuals. In essence, homosexual discrimination is a serious social problem that can be solved through education and legislations.
Homosexuals Discrimination As A Social Problem
Discrimination against homosexuals has proved to be a problematic issue because its societal implications. For instance, in many workplaces especially in regions where there is low tolerance, it has been very difficult for a known or alleged homosexual to get a job (B oyle 2015: 17) . For those who are lucky to get a job, it has been difficult for them to mingle with other workers because they are usually treated with stigma on this account. The same aspect of discrimination and intolerance is also typical in the political world where civilians find it difficult to accommodate homosexual aspirants. Academic institutions are not also left behind in propagating this discrimination. However, academic institutions exhibit low levels of intolerance as compared to other institutions. This low-level of intolerance is propagated by the fact that many academic institutions are colonized by young people. Most of the young people tend to be more open-minded, and they view most cultural issues with relativism.
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In various leisure and recreational places across the world, homosexuals have had a rough time facing the intolerance accorded to them. Many people do not want to talk or share a table with a known homosexual, especially in social places. Most religions also strongly condemn homosexuality. This is why Christians, for instance, are the biggest opponents of homosexuality as a practice. They are also in the frontline of disapproving legislations that are drafted in favor of homosexuals. Based on the instances provided above, it is evident that social beliefs have led to increased levels of homosexual discrimination and intolerance. Therefore, homosexuals feel segregated by the community. Being citizens just like other persons, homosexuals have been openly advocating for fair treatment by both the government and the society. However, achieving this fair treatment is another problem by itself. This is based on the fact that almost all religions support heterosexual practices. Culture has also been a major hindrance towards tolerating homosexuals. For instance, most of the African countries are deeply rooted in cultures that view homosexuals as outcasts.
Evaluation of Evidence
The issue of homosexual discrimination requires a critical evaluation in order to come up with a viable solution to this social problem. To begin with, the religious view of homosexuality is perhaps the most justified basis against this practice. Almost all major religions believe that sexual intimacy is an affair that is supposed to be conducted by people of opposite sex ( DeYoung 2015: 56) . Sexual relationships are initiated with the goal of procreation. Therefore, homosexual relationships are not accepted according to many religions because they are not for procreation purposes. This has proved to be a great barrier towards homosexual tolerance across various societies. Religious precepts are considered to be the major premises of homosexual intolerance.
The next important aspect of evaluating homosexual discrimination is based on culture. In many cultures, especially those of Africa, homosexuality is viewed as a demonic behavior and mentioning it is a taboo. Countries like Uganda, Sudan, and Mali have illegalized homosexuality in their laws. In these countries, any person who is caught conducting homosexuality is subjected to death. Like religion, most of the cultures in these countries believe that sexual relationships must be between two people of opposite gender. The value of sexual relationship as a way of procreation is similar to that of religious beliefs. However, it is vital to acknowledge that this account is moderately justified because it is only valid in some parts of the world. Some cultures, especially in western countries, support homosexuality, and culture is not seen as the major hindrance to the tolerance of homosexuality. Countries like Canada, Norway, and Spain have already legalized homosexuality.
The scenario of homosexuality intolerance is also high in academic institutions although most of these institutions are colonized by young and educated people. According to Mikulsky (2005), a research that was carried in American schools indicated that many young people do not support the issue of homosexuality. Despite the increased levels of knowledge, many students and institutional staffs are engrossed in religions and cultures that do not enhance mutual tolerance in their institutions. Many people might expect the young people to be more tolerant than older people in the society. Nevertheless, this is not the situation in many institutions, especially in the Asian and African countries. It has been documented that many students and staffs in academic institutions do not handle homosexuality issues with considerable levels of relativism as expected by the society. Therefore, the society cannot expect the academic institutions to show considerable tolerance of homosexuals. Research has also indicated that many young gays and lesbians tend to perform their acts in hiding because they fear their parents and teachers. Stereotyping of homosexuals in the education sector has been contributed by lack of diversity in many education institutions (Mikulsky 2005a: 2).
Solutions
Based on the evidence that is provided above, homosexual discrimination is a problem that calls for practical solutions in order to promote tolerance and diversity in the society. One of the basic strategies that can be embraced to address the issue of homosexual discrimination is education. The education curriculum should be used as the tool that provides information that relates to vast diversities, and at the same time enhance tolerance and across the human race. Though homosexuality is not a justified practice in many cultures, education should be embraced to teach civilians the importance of tolerance, especially on homosexual issues that are hard to teach in other platforms. Education acts as a considerably way of alleviating the degree of discrimination and intolerance against this practice.
Another strategy that would help reduce this problem is a proper follow-up of legislations that have been passed to protect homosexuals. These legislations should be regularly considered, especially in workplaces and other social places that are prone to intolerance of homosexuals (Leong 2014: 45). Human right activists and non-governmental organizations must collaborate and push for the establishment of legislations that recognize homosexuality in hostile countries such as Uganda, Iran, Mali, India, and Sudan. With such legislations, this discrimination would be solved to some extent especially in the formal sectors.
Conclusion
From the foregoing, it is evident that homosexual intolerance is a sensitive problem, and it is likely to grow unless something is done. While I do not personally take sides on this issue, I believe that we should be able to interact freely with the human race. Therefore, it is necessary that policies are continuously drafted in various institutions to curb this problem. Education has proved to be a prime strategy in solving this problem right from childhood. With adequate legislations and education as previously mentioned, this intolerance will have been solved to a reasonable level.
References
Boyle, David .2015. Scandal: How homosexuality became a crime . S.l.: Book baby.
DeYoung, Kevin. 2015. What does the Bible really teach about homosexuality? Wheaton: Crossway.
Leong, Russel. 2014. Addressing the needs of LGBTs: A critical approach . New York: Routledge
Mikulsky, Jacqueline. 2005. “Silencing (Homo)Sexualities in School ... A Very Bad Idea” Journal of Media and Culture 8 (1). Retrieved May 4, 2016 (http://journal.media-culture.org.au/0502/06-mikulsky.php)
