How difficult is it to be gay in society compared to.......?

Question

being disabled?
Black?
Jewish?
or even Mormon or Jehovah's Witness?

Answer 1

Depends on what point of view you're looking at. Physically? Disabled, I would think, especially if your disability isn't one that is typically accommodated (deafness, blindness, etc.). I don't think gays are even comparable on that scale. Societally (i.e. in jobs, official capacities, etc.)- probably blacks, I would think. They still face quite a bit of racism and other prejudices and problems. Not to say that gays don't as well, but there is a sort of solidarity there that I don't see in the somewhat splintered black community that needs to address a lot (violence, gangs, absent fathers, etc.). Psychologically, however, I think gays take the cake. Depending on where you live and the attitude of those around you, being gay can be the most difficult thing to do (for example, there's a big difference between being gay in San Francisco and being gay in rural Iowa). My main reason for saying this is that the disabled and the blacks are both born that way (or if they were disabled later in life, we generally look on it with pity and sympathy- still not a choice, but something that happened to them). Though there are people who say being gay isn't a choice, there is a debate raging on, with people even saying that even if it isn't a choice, gays should abstain, stay celibate, do what they can to turn the situation around. There is the religious factor, which says homosexuality is a sin. And there is rampant homophobia that scares straight people at the touch of anything that "seems gay" even when they are talking about things that are not truly gay (the only truly gay thing is gay sex, everyone!). The disabled may be teased and snickered at, especially by children, but nobody views their lifestyle as wrong. No one (that I know of) would beat or kill someone disabled just for being that way. And while blacks are often beaten, sometimes killed, and have suffered tremendous injustices, we've come to the point in life, I think, where there is little actual violence perpetrated against blacks for being black- instead it is violence done to black stereotypes (i.e. white police beating a 'black thug'). I know that the Jews have suffered tremendously as well, and that Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses get teased, misunderstood, etc., but perhaps I am just not close enough to such communities. I feel that today there is a great deal of religious tolerance and even respect, so while someone might chuckle and dismiss your religion as silly, there is no malintent the way there is with the gay lifestyle. But again, I don't know much about them. Overall, I'd say that compared to those you listed, it is very difficult to be gay in society, from a psyschological/emotional standpoint that takes so much abuse and hatred. I still, believe, though, that the hardest thing to be in society is a transgender or transsexual individual.

Answer 2

What a bizarre question.

Bizarre, becaue all those labels are so incomplete: they really don't give any insight whatsoever into a person's status in society.

And an individuals status is heavily, perhaps crucially, determined by their own attitudes; so that a disabled individual may indeed profit from his disability and gain esteem through his efforts in overcoming the challenges he has faced.

And it also assumes that the dislike a group faces is unrelated to its conduct. But, for example, Jehovahs Witnesses are often bores, and inconsiderate bores at that, disturbing people at home and asking them personal questions. If they object to being disliked then they might behave more considerately.

And the Mormon's are bossy, preventing a whole city from easily enjoying the odd harmless beer without going to a good deal of nuisance.

This sort of "score chart" of discriminations is therefore quite absurd.

Answer 3

Being a Jehovahs Witness or being Gay have similar difficulties, but with both you can always pretend not be one to make life easier.

Coming out as a Gay and leaving Jehovahs Witnesses when finding out it is based on falsehood is also very similar. In both situations you risk being shunned and looked down on by family and friends. The Watchtower tells its members to hate anyone that leaves the religion.

Watchtower 1993 October 1 p.19 True Christians share Jehovah's feelings toward such apostates; they are not curious about apostate ideas. On the contrary, they "feel a loathing" toward those who have made themselves God's enemies, but they leave it to Jehovah to execute vengeance."

They are both very difficult steps to take and require great courage on the part of the individual.

Answer 4

I am not disabled, black, Jewish, Mormon, or Jehovah's Witness. I am a plain old WASP lesbian. I have no trouble at all. No inaccessibility, bigotry, or hate in my life. I think comparing my sexuality to the above mentioned religions, races or unfortunate debilitations is like comparing apples and rutabagas.

Answer 5

1 is hardest, 5 is easiest.

1) Being disabled
2) Gay (although it is becoming very acceptable for the most part lately)
3) Mormon / JW
4) Black
5) Jewish

Answer 6

I'm white and queer but I can easily pass as straight if I'm around bigoted people.

My straight black friend can't 'appear' white to avoid having to deal with the bigots. (NO! I am NOT saying she wants to be white, or would be better off white, or anything like that.)

I'm just saying (and yes I know it can be a copout) that I can sometimes avoid the ignorant shite people toss out there when I want to. Harder for people who are visibly gay, or visibly disabled, or beautifully black.

So in at least one way, it's not harder.

In other ways though.....it's been a long time since the Bible was used venomously by the masses to attack blacks.....whereas we queers get assaulted by Christians all the time (and I AM a Christian! But, they tell me I 'must' be wrong about that...)

Answer 7

I understand this question, all are outcasted, and discriminated against in todays society. Good question.

Being gay and black and female I have three things against me. And it is hard, especially being a mother. That's why I keep my head up and my mind focused on the goals I pursue because im better than all the criticism and mockery

Answer 8

Disabled people are not faced with the question "Should I tell this person I am disabled?" and African Americans are not faced with the question "Should I tell this person that I am black?".
Also, it is widely viewed as unacceptable to discriminate against someone due to their religion, while many accept discrimination against gay people.
Due to this, is is more difficult to be gay than almost every other minority.

Answer 9

I have compared it to other people who have been punished for being a "minority" of any kind. It really doesn't matter, just because it is something or another for everyone. Even the bigot must suffer on the inside, ya know??

Answer 10

it is very diffucult to gay in our society. all those other groups have protection under most governments and laws. in the USA they are all protected against discrimination and hate crimes. in the USA all those people are allowed to be married to the spouse of their choice(if they are straight). in the USA all those people are allowed to leave their signifigant others everything when they die and they are allowed to adopt. for all those people they don't have to worry about being beat to death by angry homophobes and left tied to a fence post. all those people don't have the homophobes screaming and chanting and carrying signs saying that we are an abomination of god and that we are going to burn in hell or that god is punishing us by giving us AIDS. those people don't have to worry about their family and friends turning their back on them. those people don't have to worry when they are around kids that they're parents are going rip the kids away and tell them you are a pervert child molester just because you are gay . but even after all of this i have seen or been through myself i still wouldn't change being gay or coming out to everyone i know. if they cannot accept me then it is their loss not mine and it is their problem not mine. i have to worry about about me because if i wait on someone else to do it, it will never happen. don't get me wrong i give everyone i meet a chance and sometimes it works out great and sometimes i have been burnt but that is all a part of life. life is taking chances.