Acceptance of LGBT+ people over time has generally been on the rise. Advancements in psychology have helped to better emphasise with each other, whereas improvements in technology have allowed us to easily communicate with each other regardless of location. The current generation has grown up in an era where prejudice towards sexual minorities is gradually decreasing. For a quick definition, the term LGBT exists to unify the community under a single umbrella term, representing the multiple identities within the LGBT+ population.
Furthermore, the LGBT+ acronym is used as a means to introduce an individual into the community, rather than just identifying them as LGBT+ themselves. As such, the LGBT+ community uses the term LGBT+ as a sign of belonging, not merely as a means to describe their sexuality.
A survey that I recently carried out on social media was completed by 252 participants. Of the LGBT+ participants, 73% had come out to their family and friends, with 27% not having done so yet. The reasons for not coming out mostly included fear of rejection or poor education on LGBT+ topics, leading to a lack of support from family and friends.
When asked about discrimination, the majority (92.9%) of participants agreed that LGBT+ people suffer more discrimination than their cisgender or straight counterparts. Also, 89.6% believed that general education on LGBT+ issues is poor and should be improved.
When asked if they believed that a person's sexuality could make them more likely to be a victim of crime, 89.3% agreed.
“I have been threatened with physical violence for simply existing. Only coming out to a few extremely select people saves me from physical/emotional harm.”
So, what can be done about this discrimination? Diversity in media is crucial in aiding the acceptance of LGBT+ people in society. According to many recent studies, representation of LGBT+ people in the media reduces the chance that people harbour negative attitudes towards them.
Positive and faithful representation in media significantly reduces feelings of isolation and low self-esteem by dispelling harmful stereotypes that had been perpetuated in the past, as the media can provide a source of information and education about what it means to be LGBT+. By portraying LGBT+ characters in a positive light, the media can help to normalise their experiences and to break down harmful stereotypes that may have been associated with this community in the past. This can help to create a more accepting environment and can help to reduce instances of discrimination.
