A reflection on LGBT discrimination

Unlike my fellow group members Yen and Jialing, I have grown up and spent my whole life within the UK.

Britain, particularly in comparison to China and Malaysia, is hailed for its open democracy and its tolerance. Accordingly, my views and my experiences are wholly different to theirs. I have never been taught that homosexuality is wrong, indeed I can recall my school specifically teaching us the opposite. My Brother's godfather is gay, as are several of my friends. I do not believe this is anymore a defining characteristic than where they live or what they do.

'LGBT' has become a label, a stigma that some find it difficult to look beyond. Thus how 'open' and 'tolerant' is Britain truely? Why should, for example, racism or sexism have such profound connotations when homopohobia still remains, to an extent, almost accepted by our so called 'tolerant' society. Susanne Wilkinson's attitude towards Micheal Black and John Morgan is undeniable evidence of this. For such behaviour to be condoned by Chris Grayling is a worringly reflection of the installed backwards-thinking of those we have trusted to place in power. This response would have unequivocally been deemed outrageous had the couple been black or disabled, thus why should homosexuality strike a different chord?

Perhaps it is a case of people being afraid of what they don't understand, a note that has rung true for many cases of discrimination. Yet what I find particularly poignant is that the phenomenon of 'homophobia' can, at times, be very much restricted to the male gender. I don't know how many boys I know who have urged female friends to kiss, or who have sought out that kind of explicit material on the internet. Yet should the same behaviour come from two men, a polar opposite and extremely hostile reaction is incited. Have lesbians become more socially acceptable, in a manner purely to satisfy heterosexual men's fantasies? Perhaps the question should be put, had Mrs Wilkinson been presented with two women would her reaction have been the same? Indeed had it been a man running that Bed and Breakfast, would he not have accepted those two women with pleasure?

These are just speculations, based on my own experiences of perceived notions of homosexuality. I look forward to expanding such experience and knowledge throughout this project, and have thus far found it extremely illuminating. The chance to talk to the Green Party, especially in light of the pre-General Election political fray that is ongoing currently, is one I believe will lend particular insight. It can only be deemed as my own ignorance, but before reading the Green Party's Manifesto, and exploring the subject further I was relatively unaware that such LGBT discrimination could, and still does take place to such a worrying degree. I relish the chance to find out more, and perhaps in our own minor way, try to make a difference.