Understanding Issues Facing LGBT Americans
People who are unfamiliar with how current laws and social stigma affect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans often have a simple question—what is it that LGBT Americans want? The answer is just as simple: LGBT Americans want the same chance as everyone else to earn a living, pursue health and happiness, take care of the ones they love, be safe in their communities, and serve their country (see Figure 1). Unfortunately, unfair laws, lack of legal protections, institutional barriers, and stigma stand in the way of these very basic goals. This report provides a high-level overview of the burdens facing LGBT Americans as a result of this stigma and discrimination, as well as a look at what organizations and individuals are doing to make sure all Americans are treated equally and fairly.
Despite the fact that LGBT people have higher levels of education, research finds that LGBT Americans, particularly LGBT families with children and LGBT families of color, have higher rates of poverty. LGBT Americans report a lower overall sense of well-being than non-LGBT people, with LGBT Americans reporting an average wellbeing score of 58 compared to 62 for non-LGBT people (see Figure 2). This index rates well-being along five axes: financial, physical, social, community, and purpose.
Understanding the Terminology
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender The terms “lesbian,” “gay,” and “bisexual” describe a person’s sexual orientation and collectively include women and men who are predominantly or sometimes attracted to individuals of the same sex. The term “transgender” is independent of sexual orientation and describes individuals whose gender identity (the sense of gender that every person feels inside) and/or gender expression (their behavior, clothing, haircut, voice, and body characteristics) is different from the sex assigned to them at birth. At some point in their lives, many transgender people decide they must live their lives as the gender they have always known themselves to be, and often transition to living as that gender.
by LGBTMAP