DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION
~ Riddhi Singhvi
INTRODUCTION
"Discrimination" - the word that have been serving as a prejudicial treatment of different categories of people either on the grounds of age, caste or sex. Around the world today, people are under stress for who they love, how they dress, and ultimately for who they are. This discrimination could be based on sexual orientation (who you’re attracted to); gender identity (how you define yourself, irrespective of your biological sex), gender expression (how you express your gender through your clothing, hair or make-up), or sex characteristics (for example, your genitals, chromosomes, reproductive organs, or hormone levels.)
Discrimination on the basis of sexuality is basically the unjust treatment on the basis of sexual orientation or sexuality. The term "sexuality" defines your preference of being sexually attracted to someone, it can be of your sex (i.e., gay or lesbian) or opposite sex (i.e., heterosexual) or both same sex and opposite sex (i.e., bisexual).
There are cases where LGBTQ people are being harassed in the streets, beaten up and sometimes being killed simply because of who they are. A spate of violence against trans people has taken the lives of not less than 369 individuals from October 2017 to September 2018.
CATEGORY OF DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION
The categorization of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation can be either direct or indirect. Also, it can take the form of victimization too.
In the direct discrimination, the less favors are granted to the person, because of their sexual preference, than others in some circumstances. Abuse and harassment because of sexual orientation are forms of direct discrimination.
Whereas on the other hand, Indirect discrimination - there are set of rules, policies or practices which someone of a particular sexual orientation is less likely to be able to withstand, and this places them at a disadvantage of a being of a different sexual orientation.
In victimization, if you raise your voice against discrimination, you should not be victimized that is you should not be treated unjustly just because you have raised your voice. Raising your voice means standing up for your rights in any way either seeking help from court or going to employment tribunal.
WHY RIGHTS FOR LGBTQ COMMUNITY ARE NECESSARY?
Even after getting legal recognition by laws, there are majority of LGBTQ people who face discrimination, harassment and what not by the society. The society has welcomed the laws but not acceptance completely.
So, these rights work as a shield to the community if someone infringes their rights. Everyone should be able to feel proud of who they are and who they love. Thus, each one of us have right to express freely. Also most of the LGBTQ people, especially transgender and gender non-conforming people, are often at risk of economic and social exclusion. These rights safeguard them from all the discriminations and harassment at any point of time or at any place.
CONCLUSION
Being "different" from the people of the society is like facing discrimination in your day to day life. It is so obvious for communities like LGBTQ to face discrimination in the society for not being likewise the society. Even after law being in favor of LGBTQ community, there are many people who see them as untouchables. The pressure of the society has made the lives of LGBTQ people - a lie as they have failed to love themselves and feel proud about who they are, they have failed to come up with their head high and live a life with dignity. This is the sad truth of the society that it pretends to be the support system for its people but miserably fails to stand for its people. The society have been so cruel that it degraded even those who try to come up for what they are.
The society is made up of its people and the happiness of the people should be the only priority. Love is the most powerful medicine to all the problems. Life is short and no-one deserves hatred. Spread love and get love in return.
Picture: ohchr.org