Heterosexism
The system that supports bigotry, prejudice, and unfavorable sentiments toward the LGBT population is heterosexism. There is institutional favoritism for heterosexual and opposite-sex partnerships in a heterosexist culture. Lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender people experience institutionalized prejudice and oppression. These people are perceived as existing outside of the binary roles of the feminine and the masculine. Society seems to impose rules and behaviors that fit the stereotypical role, and it will not permit any conduct that appears to deviate from this since it is not accepted. LGBT people are perceived as second-class individuals unfit to be a part of mainstream society.
Homophobia
A broad term used to describe various opposing views about homosexuality is homophobia. It is an irrational dread of being homosexual. Indeed, this means homosexuals are reluctant to come out because they are afraid to be homosexuals. For some, the phrase conjures up feelings of dread or hostility toward LGBT people. The individuals regarded or labeled as part of the LGBT community or the idea of homosexuality are the targets of negative attitudes and feelings (lesbians, gay people, bisexuals, and transgender). Surfaces here include hostility, aversion, prejudice, hatred, or disdain. Homophobia is seen in hostile actions like prejudice and hate based on non-heterosexual sexual activities.
The Political History of the Gay and Lesbian Movement
The political movement established to fight for the rights of gay and lesbian people originates in a French homosexual rights organization. The group opposed to end the World Health Organization’s classification of homosexuality as a mental illness, provide compensation for gay people who were victims of Nazism, provide asylum for those who had been harmed because of their sexual orientation, and bring attention to the violence committed against gay people around the world.