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272 LGBT Essay Topics & Examples

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• Gay in the military To do this, an employees’ profile is required, which should have a full image of their workforce and the way diversity has been reflected especially in the main occupations.
• Gay Marriage Legalization From this paper, it can be authoritatively stated that the denial of marriage rights for same-sex couples is unjustifiable and as such, the government should overturn this discriminative policy.
• Social Justice and Gay Rights This perception of gays was radically reformed thanks to the efforts of gay rights movements which trace their roots to the 1960s and the Stonewall Riots of 1969 which marked the birth of the gay […]
• Philadelphia: Prejudice About Homosexuality Philadelphia is the movie that touches upon numerous themes, and one of them is the development of the relations between two men with absolutely different interests and principles: one of them is Andrew Beckett, who […]
• Gay marriage and homosexuality Much as this form of homosexuality has come out in many civilizations in the course of time, not until in recent times has the term ‘lesbian’ referred to a set of individuals Towards the end […]
• The Pros and Cons of Gay Marriage Counteracting the argument that prohibition of gay marriage appears similar to discrimination is the idea that marriage, in the traditional understanding of the word, is the union of necessarily different sexes, a man and a […]
• Why Gay Marriage Should Not Be Legal Therefore, because marriage is a consecrated unification of a male and a female, ready to sacrifice all that is at their disposal for the continuation of the human species and societal values, I believe all […]
• A Critical Evaluation of Historical & Scientific Standpoints on Homosexuality Religion and heritage are two historical perspectives that have contributed immensely towards the development of a worldview that homosexuals are evaluated in society especially in regard to sexual behaviors.
• Gay Marriage in the U.S. In this case the Supreme Court judges ruled that States that wished to continue banning gay marriages “must show compelling interest in prohibiting same-sex marriages” thereby shifting the burden of proof to the State and […]
• Should Homosexuals be Allowed to Legally Marry? Traditionally, the family is made of a man and a woman and children and is the foundation on which any society is based.
• Must gay marriage to be legal? The importance of legal recognition of marriages is to establish secular means of supporting a culture that relates to support of life like the religious setting.
• Adopted Children With Gay Parents Have Better Chances of Succeeding Consequently, gay parents taking care of adopted children tend to build a strong attachment with their children and other adoptive and heterosexual parents who are sharing the same experience and vision for their children.
• Media and Homosexuality Homosexuality has a huge role in the way society defines gender roles and this outlines the framework to this study because it defines the impact homosexuality and the media has on our understanding of gender.
• Castro Gay Village’ Gentrification in San Francisco However, these days, the process of urban gentrification which, affects the lives of people and enhances the property values, raises fears among the gay leaders concerning the preservation of their gay community.
• Homosexuals Should Not Be Allowed to Adopt Children Therefore, considering the significance of the traditional marriages in providing children with the necessary developmental support, it is important for societies to ban the concept of homosexuals adopting children.
• Should We Allow Gay Marriages as Civil Unions? Traditionally, the marriage institution consisted of only heterosexual unions but things have changed and with modernity and civilisation the issue of what constitutes a marriage has been questioned as more people strive to have the […]
• Gay Marriages: Why Not Legalize Them? The purpose of the essays is to cast light on the essence of the gay marriages and provide evidences that same-sex marriages have right to be legalized.
• Should Homosexuality be Legalized? This is because homosexuality is inborn and hence cannot be reversed, it is just like any other expression of love and interest and finally, it cannot be discouraged by law.
• Young Opinion on Homosexuality The Role of Religion: although homosexuality has gained a lot of publicity in the recent past, Young argued that the practice is not new to humanity.
• Gender Studies: Gays and Lesbians Issues in 1940’s and 1950’s Due to the commotion that had arisen because of the struggle between the police and the gay members who were resisting arrest, other people gathered and helped the gay community in fighting against the police.
• Position of the Christian Church on Homosexuality The aim of the paper is to prove that the church in general does not have any reason to bar homosexuals from the church since no relevant scriptures oppose the practice.
• Arguments for Gay Marriages This is also supplemented by the fact that these people have weighed the pros and the cons of their decisions and have come to the conclusion that their decisions are the best.
• Gay Denied their ‘Rights’ in Australia Therefore, it is extremely correct for the gay couples to be denied the right to marriage because it is illegal and violation of religious rights.
• Gay Marriage and Decision Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court He insinuates that the acts of crime and chaotic life experienced in today’s world, are a result of broken homes which are largely contributed to by same sex marriages.
• BEAR Magazine: Lifestyle Entertainment for Gay Men Gay culture of bears was born in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the U.S.as a response to traditional public stereotyping of homosexuals and showing them as effeminate men.”If most gay people felt isolated, […]
• Reasons of the High Homosexual Marriage Rate On the hand, allowing gay and homosexual marriage is believed to be a major challenge that affects the marriage institution today.”By allowing homosexual marriage, it would do and have noticeable long-term social harm” to the […]
• Gays in the Military Since it is not the military that introduced the DOD policy, it is the role of the military to ensure that every person who is working in there obeys al the laws that are enacted […]
• Arguments for and against Homosexuality: A Civil rights & Liberties Perspective In many countries globally, the convention of civil rights and liberties demands that each individual is entitled certain fundamental and inalienable rights and freedoms under the Constitution, such as the right to life, right to […]
• Gay Couples Should Not to Marry In this argument, “the marriage between a man and woman” is appropriate and the only correct lawful relationship that exists in the human culture to.
• Gender Studies: Gay Rights The second article, is ‘Gay Rights: A World of Inequality,’ penned by Zoe Williams and published in “The Guardian” on the 13th of September, 2011, uses statistics to show that a greater part of the […]
• Should Gay Marriages Be Allowed? However, there has been increased advocacy for the definition of marriage to include same-sex unions due to the prevalence of homosexual relationships in the society as well as the overwhelming acceptance of gay relationships in […]
• Argument for Gay Marriages Enacting laws that recognize gay marriages would be beneficial to the society in the sense that it promotes equal rights among members of the society.
• Gay Marriage and Parenting Despite these difficulties, same-sex partners deserve the right to get married and legitimize their relationships for the benefit of their children.
• Gay Marriage as a Civil Rights Issue The gay civil rights movement has been particularly fuelled by the fact that there has been inequality between the property rights of heterosexually married couples and people in gay unions.
• Why Gay Marriages Should Not Be Legalized? Bush who acknowledged the importance of the traditional marriage institute for the welfare of the children and the stability of society.
• The Homosexual Lifestyle Issues Many organizations, like the Focus on the Family Canada, uphold high morals for the family and the institution of marriage. However, this should not be done in a manner to destroy the very foundations of […]
• Suicides Among Male Teen Homosexuals: Harassment, Shame or Stigma? Culling authoritative surveys from the 1970s to the early 1990s about the sexual mores and behavior of teenagers, Braverman and Strasburger report that from five to eight percent of 11th and 12th grade boys and […]
• Gay Marriages in New York Thus, the passing of the New York legislation that supports marriages between people of the same sex is contrary to the teaching of the bible and wrong.
• Homosexuality in the Contemporary Society Most of the people receive the news with feelings of abhorrence and indignation and they are not hesitant to express their feelings even if it means beating the hell out of a gay person.
• Gay Marriage: Culture, Religion, and Society To them, gay marriage is completely out of context and they cannot even imagine that people of the same sex can marry.
• Concepts of Gay Marriage Gay marriage is an institution of marriage where people of the same sex cohabit together. These benefits are the one that make people to defend gay marriage in a court of law.
• “The New Gay Teenager” by Ritch Savin Williams He explores how the concept of being gay is slowly changing as a result of pop culture influences brought about by the media which in effect has created a whole new generation of gays completely […]
• Setting the Parameters for Regarding Homosexuality: To Whose Doors Should One Lay the Blame To? Because of the fact that the opinion of the majority still plays a great part in the life of most people, the life of sexual minorities is shaped according to the principles of the heterosexual […]
• Relation of Gay Marriage to the Definition of Marriage The authorities should be aware of existence of marriage so that to solve the problems of inheritance in case of uncertainties such as divorce and death of a spouse.
• Defending Gay Marriage This means that they should be given the same credit and faith that they possessed in the same courts or states that they were created.
• Homosexuality: Why only some intimacies are labeled as homosexuality This shows how much the majority in society prohibit male homosexuals as compared to those that prohibit female homosexuals. Use of the term homosexuality has been utilized mainly when referring to male homosexuals.
• Discrimination, Social Exclusion and Violence among the LGBT Community The worst of the discrimination is violence or the gay killings that are found in many cities. Amongst the females, the main forms of violence and discrimination relate to their sexuality where 20% of males […]
• Gay Couples’ Right to Marriage Normal couples are not discriminated upon in relation to their marital status and this should be extended to gay marriages as a right that they are entitled to.
• Clinton Homosexual Discrimination Policy In the case of Clinton, when announcing the Executive Order, he had studied the relationship and the situation at the military and opted to have an order that would be of the good to the […]
• Homosexuality Criticism Rates Society and religion Many people from different society levels have different views on homosexuality with religious leaders and followers arguing that the practice is disrespect to God and immoral assault to the society.
• Gay Marriage, Same-Sex Parenting, And America’s Children The key concept of this reflective treatise is an explicit analysis of same sex marriage and parenting in order to establish possible reasons for their increasing number in the modern society and how the same […]
• The Article “Against Gay Marriage” by William J. Bennett The legalization of gay marriage in any society leads to social damage and the destruction of the normal structure of the family.
• Legalizing Gay Marriage Same sex marriage should not hurt anyone or the society since marriage is a union and a relationship between two people who love each other. If gay marriage is legalized in the society, it will […]
• Views of Young Australian and Chinese Adults on Homosexuality The study shows that the increasing rate of homosexuality among the young adults in China is attributed to foreign movies and pornographic literature. The results from the interview further reveal that the perception of the […]
• The Issue of Gay Marriages: Meaning, Importance and Cons Importantly, the definition of marriage is essential in understanding the importance of marriage and why gay people are getting accepted in the world today.
• Gay Marriages and US Constitution 37 % of voters in the United States of America are of the opinion that gays and lesbians should be allowed to marry legally.
• Is Homosexuality a Psychological Condition? Romantic attractions as well as sexual acts are usually categorized as heterosexuals or homosexuals and depending on the biological sex of the individual; the person may classified as gay or lesbian.
• Problems Experienced by Children of Homosexual Parents The study intends to employ descriptive survey technique to collect data that will assist the researcher fulfill the objective of the study, namely to determine the problems and challenges facing children from homosexual family backgrounds.
• Transgender issues in “The Crying Game” and “M. Butterfly” The acceptance of the phenomenon of transgender status in contrast to widely spread stereotypes on it is one of the central themes and moral messages of the 1992 movie The Crying Game and the 1993 […]
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Sexuality in the Hispanic Culture Men are the breadwinners of the family, a duty that requires men to play the father figure role in the family.
• Transgender Students on Colleges: Needs and Challenges In order to accommodate all the involved groups of people, there is no attributed definition of transgender due to the diversity of the subject.
• LGBT Labor and Employment Issues From this perspective, the research paper focuses on comparing experiences of lesbian and gay workers in public versus private sector, and then analyzes the policies of different organizations regarding gay and lesbian workers, both in […]
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Labor and Employment Issues The relevance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered labor and employment issues is conspicuous in contributing to organizational success by considering the evidence of discrimination from the perspectives of sexual and gender orientation of the […]
• Homosexuals’ Right to Marry From the religious perspective, marriage is the foundation of a family This unit is supposed to bear children and bring them up in the belief that they will adopt the same moral principles as their […]
• Why Homosexuality Should Be Illegal The decline of the Roman Empire saw more tolerance of the people and the authorities for homosexuality except the church and Visigothic Spain.
• Homosexuality, Religion and Atheism The debate in this work is whether the act of the same sex marriage and other related sexual orientation is acceptable in the society or not.
• Gay Marriage: Debating the Ethics, Religion, and Culture Analytical Critics of gay marriages in the United States point out that the practice is morally wrong because the purpose of a marriage is to portray a relationship between a man and a woman and the […]
• Is homosexuality an Innate or an Acquired Trait? From the biological view of things, any trait in an individual comes because of the interaction of genes and the cells embed in the body.
• Gay Marriage in The UK The proposed law in UK will permit one to have equal access to civil marriages for same-sex couples instead of civil partnership as is available now.
• Members of the LGBT Community The momentous variances in type of religious family upbringing and LGBT community are critical in reflecting on the underlying factors that promote the way social beliefs influence how this population is viewed.
• Gay Marriage’s Social and Religious Debates However, whether one is for or against gay marriages, the paper argues that, depending on the angle from which one would look at same sex marriages, he/she needs to do a careful scrutiny of the […]
• Globalization and Gay Tourism: Learning to Be Tolerant Comprising the experience of different nations and creating a peculiar fusion of traditions and customs, globalization has touched upon one of the most controversial issues of the XX and XXI century, namely, the question of […]
• Homosexuality in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley However, at the same time, these breaks from the traditions incited a response reaction in favor of more traditional social roles in other areas, such as the refutation of male sexual relationships to the extent […]
• Dating Sites: Gay Latino Men and Women in Los Angeles Also, men are interested in the appearance of the women they want to date more than women are when looking for a man.
• “””Gay Marriages”” by Michael Nava and Robert Dawidoff” The authors assert that the upbringing and socialization of Americans creates the same concept of the reverence and respectability of marriage among both heterosexuals and homosexual.
• Queer Activism Influences on the Social Development of LGBT The strength of the research question is that it shows a different direction to the queer movement as a social movement and its effect on identity creation of the LGBT community.
• Xaniths as a Transgender in Omani Culture The Xaniths are the third gender within the Omani social system. The Xaniths represents the transsexuals and homosexuals within the Omani society.
• The Evolution of the LGBT Rights The paper will focus on the socio-political and religious implications facing the world due to the legalization of the LGBT rights.
• Legalizing Gay Marriage in the US If anything is to go by, the foundations of gay marriage uphold the belief that couples who have shown the purpose for their commitment should take to the aisle and commit their pledge before the […]
• Gay and Lesbian Relationships’ Nature This is the case because the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community is opposed to the ideals and norms supported by the contemporary society.
• Defining Characteristic of LGBTQ Community In addition to this, the LGBTQ is a community since it is made up of a relatively small segment of the society.
• Homosexuality Issues in the Film “Milk” by Van Sant In its turn, this confirms the validity of the idea that, contrary to what the advocates of political correctness would like people to believe, the notion of gender is not merely a social construct.
• Relations Between Homosexuality and Indian Culture Lesbianism is a relatively silent practice in India as opposed to gay practice and even the organizations for women do not really advocate for or promote it.
• Gay Judge’s Ruling Should Be Thrown Out The opponents of single sex marriage must show due respect to the court by not putting the judge in a position that would compromise his integrity.
• Homosexual Students and Bullying Specifically, the section addresses the prevalence of bullying in schools and the level of bullying in bisexuals, gay males, and lesbians.
• Homosexual Discrimination in Our Society: Causes and Effects The rejection of homosexuality by different communities portrays that people want to keep their traditions, and they consider homosexuality as a threat to their stability and survival.
• Korean LGBTQ Films: The King and the Clown and Hello My Love Despite the general critics of the movie saying that The King and the Clown is a ‘gay movie’, it is not typical for the modern Western society.
• LGBTQ Issues in Korean Film Industry The drama The King and the Clown reflects the relationships to gays in the society. The film is about the connection between the jester and the king.
• Challenges for Educators: Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Families Most of the class readings have examined the challenges faced by educators and parents in the country. The article by James Sears offers some of the best theories and concepts to address the problems faced […]
• Parenting: Learning that an Adolescent is Gay or Lesbian On the parents’ end, Saltzburg notes that feelings of shame, loss, guilt, cognitive and emotional dissonance are some of the major forces that have, so far, been reported to regulate the lives of parents in […]
• Homosexual Marriage: Causes of Debates This question can be discussed with the help of scholarly sources that throw light on various peculiarities of same-sex marriage. On the whole, this research may show that there are no valid reasons to prohibit […]
• United States v. Windsor – Homosexual Rights The main reason as to why Windsor filed this lawsuit was to compel the government to change the definition of a marriage in order for her to receive the refund of the money paid as […]
• Sexual Strangers: LGBT Politics in United States By considering the concepts of citizenship and cosmopolitanism, the two works explain why inclusion, participation, and perception of the LGBTQ community in the United States is problematic.
• Age Bias, Disability, Gay Rights in the Workplace The article emphasises on the importance of paying attention to the language people use in the workplace and the effects that the misuse of language may have on the company.
• Homosexuals and Heterosexual Brain Structure Differences The brain of a homosexual contains double the number of cells as compared to the heterosexual counterpart in the suprachiasmastic nucleus-an area within the hypothalamus.
• British vs. Japanese Homosexuality Criminal Laws Nowadays, it is used in most of the countries that want to emphasize the diversity of the issue. It was not until the 1960s that the prominence of liberalisation of sex activity started to be […]
• Amy Zimmerman: It Ain’t Easy Being Bisexual on TV Some experts also point out the importance of the good evidence that is related to the core thesis of the paper and supports the ideas’ persuasiveness; this criterion was, likewise, included in the list.
• Homosexuality in Natural Law Theory The aim of this paper is to explore the concept of homosexuality from a philosophical context. According to the conventional natural-law argument on homosexuality, homosexuality involves a misuse of one’s sexual organs.
• Transgender Inclusivity in Higher Education The individuals and organizations opposing trans inclusion in higher education stress that one of the main purposes of all-female colleges is to ensure the safety of the female students.
• Transgender People in the USA The statistics are impressive and, no matter how unpleasant it is to some of us, we have to face the reality that quite a large number of people in our society can be classified as […]
• “LGBT Literature: “”The Picture of Dorian Gray””” The chosen book is Oscar Wilde’s 1891 classic: The Picture of Dorian Gray; a story carefully fashioned to affirm the tilt youths have toward beauty, and the extent most could go to retain that unique […]
• Gay Marriage and Its Social Acceptance in the US It is due to this greater level of social acceptance as well as government support of gay marriage that Clinton changed his position in 2013 regarding his support of the Defense of Marriage Act by […]
• Women and Homosexuality in “Pariah” by Dee Rees The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the image of women and homosexuality in modern cinema by analyzing the film titled “Pariah” by Dee Rees and compare it with the standard staples of […]
• Women in Sports: Policy for Transgender Players Drawing from this elucidation, the proposed policy statement on transgender participation in mixed leagues will not require transgender athletes to prove their gender identity through the testimony of professional experts and psychologists; on the contrary, […]
• Transgender Bathroom Rights and Needed Policy In both articles, the subject of the study is the right of transgenders to access bathrooms according to the preferences of these people.
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender at Life Stages In general, all people are claimed to be equal in the USA, however, there is a high possibility to lose a job or fail to be applied to it if one is a representative of […]
• Transgender Issues in Modern Society The legalization of gay marriage in many countries did not lead to the eradication of homophobia, protection of women’s rights did not eliminate sexism and gender inequality present in many aspects of life, and the […]
• Gay Society and Challenges in “Gay” by Anna Quindlen It explains that they have to accept the profound sexual differences that arise between them and their children. It has also disclosed the fact that men find it difficult to accept their gay children since […]
• Homosexuality in “Laura” and “Brokeback Mountain” 1 It may seem that the representation of Waldo embodies the features of sexual perversion and decadence, as expressed by the sexual intercourse of the young men with the older man along with the unusual […]
• Cancer Screening in Lesbians, Gays, Transgenders Moreover, one of the diseases that are the burden of American society as a whole and the LGBT population, in particular, is cancer.
• The Problem of Discrimination Against the LGBT Community Subsequent stages of work in this direction can include the following steps: Making a presentation on the topic of the equality of people regardless of their religious, racial, and sexual background.
• Gay and Lesbian Adoption Issues The end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century are prominent in the evolution and empowerment of the LGBTQ movement.
• Homosexuals and Their Personal Culture Unique culture generally refers to a set of beliefs, values, or generally the way of life of an individual irrespective of the way of life of people in the larger society.
• Children in Gay and Lesbian Couples These techniques of getting children not only provide gay and lesbian couples with an ethical method to have children, but they also provide them with a chance to raise children for the donors.
• Gender Issues and Sexuality: Social Perspective and Distinction It is rather interesting to note that society today has such a well-established preconception regarding genders that when presented with alternatives to such established norms the result has been subject to confusion, disdain, at times […]
• “An Asian Lesbian’s Struggle” by C. Allyson Lee In the end, the author confesses that she has finally come to terms with herself, and she is proud of being an Asian lesbian.
• Sociological Imagination of Homosexuality This is due to the commonality of problems that we may have as members of a given society. I did not know whether the signs I was exhibiting were that of a homosexual or it […]
• Homosexual Religious and Legal Rights Another recommendation is that the legal structures that govern the issue of homosexuality should be coherent and considerate. Conclusively, it is evident that legal and religious provisions differ remarkably on their stands regarding the matters […]
• Gender Studies: Lesbian Sadomasochism She insists critics of sadomasochism only see pain and humiliation yet the people involved consent to it because of the strong connection they feel.
• Open Homosexuals’ Effects on Military Morale Britton and Williams start by noting that when President Clinton announced his intention to lift the ban that restricted homosexuals from participating in the military service, a debate emerged in which the performance of lesbians […]
• Indians in the 19th Century vs. Gay’s Struggle Today The plight of American Indians in 19thcentury The present plight of the gay struggle for acceptance Legislations The Dewes Severalty Act of 1887 was passed on February 8th, 1887, with an intention to allot lands to individuals (Nichols 125). It was perceived that by allocating lands to Native Americans, the government would not have to […]
• Philosophy: “The Gay Science” by Friedrich Nietzsche Darwin gave the world his famous book On the Origin of Species, in which he tried to trace the genealogy of some species and which made a revolution in the world of science.
• Vladimir Putin’s Government: Controversial Anti-Gay Law The aim of this essay is to analyze the news of the Russian government under Vladimir Putin passing the controversial anti-gay law.
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Subculture The pioneers of such campaigns disagree with the ideas and behaviors associated with the LGBT Subculture. These celebrations “have also made it easier for different members of the subculture to network and exchange their views”.
• Homosexual Relationships: Ethical Reflection That is why it is useless to hope that the discovery of some genomes, which could be taken as the sign that the preferences of these people are the result of physical development, can improve […]
• Racism in Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders Instead of supporting one another as members of a minority group, these people arrange internal arguments within the society of LGBT that leads to the increased feeling of depression and psychological pressure on behalf of […]
• The Discovery of the ‘Biological Marker’ of Homosexuality The discovery of the specific biological cause of homosexuality in one sex, but not the other, will most likely result in the following set of effects on people’s understanding of gender, sex and sexuality: The […]
• Health Care for Transgender Individuals However, the medicalization of transsexualism made it more difficult to receive the treatment as individuals have to prove that they have such problems, and it is not just a temperate state of their mind that […]
• Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and LGBTQ Suicide Awareness Concerning the format, the design of the poster is good and the words are readable. The colors and contrasts enhance the readability of the content and stress the key points, such as AN indicators, risk […]
• Transgender Bathroom Rights and Legal Reforms One of the themes that deserve discussion is the possibility of creating transgender baths and the rights that can be given to this category of the population.
• Gay Marriage: Societal Suicide While Colson and Morse cannot neglect the need to oppose gay marriage because it destroys human society, the tone, references to the law, and the language chosen for the article help the reader understand the […]
• Growing Up Transgender: Malisa’s Story on NBC News It is essential to develop a better understanding of the concept of gender in relation to children and their development to ensure the protection of the interests of all people and, thus, improve their lives.
• Ethical Issues of the Transgender Rights One of the most significant burdens transgender people experience is the recognition of their identity. Therefore, to increase the chances for transgender adults’ health care, it is important to pay thorough attention to any signs […]
• Durable Inequalities in Relation to the LGBT Community in the United States The purpose of this paper is to discuss the phenomenon of durable inequalities with reference to the LGBT community in the US society to understand how four aspects of this concept are reflected in LGBT […]
• Feminism: Liberal, Black, Radical, and Lesbian 2 In the 1960s and the 1970s, liberal feminism focused on working women’s issues and the impact of experiences that females of any race could have.
• Gay Culture’s Influence on Hip Hop Fashion Gay men have the influence of female fashion design due to the fact that most of the designers of female clothes are men and most of them are homosexual.
• Ethnography of Homosexuals Analysis According to Wikipedia LGBT is an acronym referring collectively to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender/Transsexual people and relates to the diversity of gay culture.
• Homosexual Stereotypes in Film and TV Homosexuals are feeling more comfortable and open with their sexuality mainly due to the rise of new shows on American television that feature gay individuals and this exposure has resulted in a deep awareness of […]
• Discrimination Against Gays in the Military This information shows that the problem of gay men and lesbian in the military is a part of politics which supports discrimination and inequalities.
• Being Gay in Canada: Faced Problems and Difficulties It has encouraged immigration of Canada from all corners of the world and the homosexuals are making plans to move to this part of the globe to secure their rights and enjoy their life in […]
• Transgender in Jewish Religion Transsexual people identify as or desire to live and be accepted as a member of the gender opposite to that assigned at birth.
• The Idea of Gay Parenting First of all, there have not been any studies done and proved that children of gay or lesbian parents are disadvantaged in any significant respect relative to children of heterosexual parents.
• Homophobia in Social Workers: Gay Affirmative Practice Scale The obvious limitation of the study is the extremely low response rate. The sample size is the key strength of the study.
• Homosexuality: Explanations of Origins and Causes Seen from the perspective of sexual orientation, homosexuality is “a lasting pattern of or inclination to encounter sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions predominantly to people of the same sex; it also relates to an individual’s […]
• Women Reactions to Bisexual Husbands The paper will rely heavily on sociological perspectives of heterosexuality and bisexuality and the arguments that are likely to guide the women’s reaction to their husband’s bisexual nature.
• Gay Beaty Contests Question Issue For gays, beauty contests are regarded as celebratory events or ‘happenings’ and are best expressive of what is for many, particularly younger gays, seen to be one of the defining characteristics of gay life, that […]
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Ideation, Correlations With ‘Suicidality’ In addition, experience of verbal ill-treatment and physical assault intensified feeling suicidal for both heterosexual and gay or bisexual men, not just for homosexual men alone as contained in many research findings, and that social […]
• Homosexuality Aspects in Nazi Germany Dominating such a household would be quite easy for the German authorities because all they had to do was to convert the husband and the rest of the family would follow without question.
• Harassment of Young Adults Who Are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning According to the professional code of ethics, it is the duty of a social worker to help people in need and with problems.
• Homosexuality in Renaissance Italy As we begin to read the history of art in Italy one finds some examples of homosexuality among the notables of the time.
• Gay Marriage: Evaluation Argument The basic theme of the article was to present advocacy of gay marriage and a thorough presentation of arguments in favor of the legalization of gay marriages.
• Heterosexuality, Homosexuality and the Law In this respect the paper deals with the aspect of sociological research on the problem of heterosexuality and a lack of constructive data as for the sociological survey on the issue.
• Kant`s View on Homosexuality Kant says that homosexuality is not merely an inclination, which a human feels towards another, but it is the preference for another person’s sexuality.
• How Views of Homosexuality Have Changed Homosexuality is the attraction and sexual acts performed with people of the same sex, between men and men and women and women.
• Homosexuality and Conversion Therapy In order for conversion to occur in humans, there has to be a mental approach to facilitate the switch. This is attributed to the lack of a clear definition of sexual orientation.
• Gay Marriage and Bible: Differences From Heterosexual Practice When respected the bonds of marriage leads to the good not only of the couple and their children, but also to the good of society as a whole.
• “What Is a Homosexual?” by Andrew Sullivan According to Sullivan’s essay What is a Homosexual, homosexuality is the isolation from the rest of the society and a diversity of human sexuality; however, it is not a factor which people are guided by […]
• Homosexuality – Nature or Nurture? In a letter to The Wall Street Journal, members of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, a coalition of therapists who argue that they can cure homosexuality, stated that “many of the […]
• Historical and Scientific Perspectives on Homosexuality From the context above, it is clear that historical and scientific perspectives on homosexuality contribute immensely to shaping how gay people view themselves.
• Parental Rejection Effects on Homosexuals Society needs to come to terms that it has to include the homosexuals among and as one of them and attend to their needs as effectively as for the rest of it.
• Why Homosexuality Among Females Is Overlooked vs. Males?
• Re-Thinking Homosexual Marriage in Rational and Ethical Fashion
• The Case Against Gay Marriage
• Societal Attitudes Toward Homosexuality
• The Seed That Grew: Homosexuality
• Democracy: Forms, Requirements and Homosexuality
• The Debate Over Gay Rights in American Politics
• ”Refugees From Amerika: A Gay Manifesto” Context Review
• The Gay Community’s Activism Events
• Lesbian Motherhood: Identity Issues
• Sexuality, Marriage, Gay Rights
• The Opinion of Americans on Whether Gay Marriage Should Be Allowed or Not
• Bullying of LGBTQ Students in American Schools
• Social Work With Disabled Representatives of LGBT Community
• LGBTQ Rights: Sexual Minority Members Discrimination
• Attitude to the LGBTQ Rights in the Political System
• Medical and Social Stances on Homosexuality
• HIV Intervention in Gay Community
• Homicides Associated With Homosexual Lifestyle
• The Houston Gay Community’s Health Nursing
• The Gay Marriages: Ethical and Economic Perspectives
• Gay Couples as Vulnerable Population and Self-Awareness
• HIV Transmission From Homosexual Men Receiving Cure
• The Gay Gene: Understanding Human Sexuality
• Nursing: Caring for a Pregnant Lesbian
• Kahiu’s Rafiki Movie: Stereotypes Regarding Homosexuality
• LGBTQ: Personal Characteristics in Health Promotion
• Abuse in the Queer (LGBTQ) Community
• Teaching Strategies for LGBTQ (Queer) Community
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• The Article “The Transgender Threat to Women’s Sports” by Abigail Shrier
• The Advantages of Transgender Women Are a Barrier to Women’s Sports
• Transgender Women in Sports: Is the Threat Real?
• The Issue of Transgender in Sporting Activities
• Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Analysis
• An Interest Group: The Rights of the LGBT
• LGBTQ Members: Discrimination and Stigmatization
• LGBTQ+ Families: Discrimination and Challenges
• Nursing: HIV Among Queer (LGBT) Community
• The Transgender Teens Policy Issues
• Nurses’ Care of LGBTQ (Queer) Patients
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• LGBTQ (Queer) Community’s Challenges in Healthcare
• The Perception of the LGBT (Queer) Community
• The Gay Teen Suicide & Bullying
• LGBT+ (Queer) Status and Employment Opportunities
• Transgender Bathroom Policies in Schools
• What Does LGBT Mean?
• How LGBT Live in Russia?
• Why Should the LGBT Community Serve Openly?
• How LGBT Live in India?
• How Can I Be More Inclusive With LGBT?
• Are LGBT People Discriminated Against in the Hiring Process?
• Why Should the LGBT Community Have Equal Rights?
• What were Cracker Barrels’ reasons for Firing Their LGBT Employees?
• How Does LGBT Culture Fall in Our Society Today?
• How Happy Could LGBT People Be in a Homophobic Society Such as Ours?
• Why LGBT Color Is Rainbow?
• Why LGBT Teachers May Make Exceptional School Leaders?
• How does Stress Affect the LGBT Community?
• Why Are LGBT Students Committing Suicide More Than Non?
• Does LGBT Inclusion Promote National Innovative Capacity?
• How Can I Be Kind to LGBT?
• Are LGBT People Born This Way?
• Does LGBT Marriage Threaten the Family?
• How Are LGBT People Represented on TV?
• How Virginia Woolf’s Orlando Subverted Censorship and Revolutionized the Politics of LGBT Love in 1928?
• What Are the Different Flags for LGBT?
• How LGBT Live in the USA?
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• Are You Born LGBT Person?
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• Chicago (N-B)
• Chicago (A-D)

IvyPanda. (2023, October 26). 272 LGBT Essay Topics & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/lgbt-essay-topics/

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1. IvyPanda . "272 LGBT Essay Topics & Examples." October 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/lgbt-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

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IvyPanda . 2023. "272 LGBT Essay Topics & Examples." October 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/lgbt-essay-topics/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '272 LGBT Essay Topics & Examples'. 26 October.

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Tips for Applying to College as a Trans Student

Choosing where to apply and applying to college is hard enough, but when you’re trans, non-binary, genderfluid, or genderqueer, the college admissions experience can be especially tough. If you or someone you love is in one of those groups, you know that these students face additional challenges at home and at school – and that certainly extends to college admissions as well. I’m not only an admissions professional, but also a mother of three children. My middle child is trans, and I’ve learned a lot by watching and supporting her as she has navigated transition and her law school applications and experiences. (She is currently a student at Berkeley Law!)

In honor of Transgender Visibility Day today, here are some tips for our trans, non-binary, genderqueer, and genderfluid friends on applying to college.

Four Things to Consider When Applying to College As a Trans Student:

When and how to use your preferred name.

Many colleges ask for your preferred name on applications. Starting in 2021-2022, the Common App now provides the option for students to:

• Share their preferred first name.
• Select multiple pronouns or add a new one.
• Report their “legal sex” instead of “sex”

If your name hasn’t been legally changed yet, you might need to use it on some parts of your applications though, including test-score submissions, transcripts and on any financial aid forms. This can ensure that all your paperwork and files don't get lost or disorganized. If you mark your preferred name in the application, it’s most likely fine to use it in your essays, letters of recommendation, and other more personal parts of the application, but as with all things college admissions, check with the colleges where you’re applying to confirm so your paperwork doesn’t get discombobulated..

State Laws in the States You’re Applying

I got this amazing advice from a fellow mom of a nonbinary child: “It’s worth checking the state laws where the college is located—the most supportive campus in the world can’t help your student if the state doesn’t guarantee access to health care, makes name/marker change incredibly difficult, etc.” If you are moving to a new state for college, consider choosing a state with a trans-friendly environment, and laws that reflect that.

Ask Specific Questions During the Admissions Process

Be sure to ask colleges specific questions when doing your research or reaching out or on tours/visits/info sessions. The more specific your questions, the more you’ll be able to get a sense of how inclusive and welcoming the environment is for trans students. Write down your questions before attending information sessions. If you’d prefer to ask these questions in private, reach out to admissions to set up a time to talk to an admissions officer one-on-one. You may want to ask:

• What options are there for gender-inclusive housing?
• What is the nondiscrimination policy for trans/queer students?
• Are students allowed to change their names on campus records/ ID cards?
• What resources and opportunities do they have to support trans/queer students?
• Do the schools' health clinics and health plans cover trans medical care – if that’s something you are interested in?

College Essays: To Come Out or Not to Come Out?

You don’t have to write about being transgender in your essays, but you certainly can if it’s a story you want to tell. But coming out is a lifelong and personal process , and it’s up to you to decide what you share, when, and with who. If there is another topic you’d rather write about, you should not feel like you don’t have the space to share about other things that are important to you. Also, if you choose not to write about your transition in your personal essay, but you’d like to address your journey, you can use the Additional Info section to write about your experiences with transitioning there. Essays may not be your only chance to discuss your gender identity. Both the Common App and the Coalition App provide space for students to describe their own gender identity. In 2020-2021, almost 70,000 students provided clarifying information in this box in the Common App box, which was one of the reasons they decided to add more space for students to share pronouns and other gender information the following year.

If you’re worried that being trans might hurt you in admissions, ask yourself this question: Do I want to attend a college that would deny me because of who I am? There are many colleges that are known for being trans-friendly environments; view a list here.

"Your lives matter. Your voice matters. Your stories matter." ~ Laverne Cox

Take care. Be yourself. Love who you are.

For more information, check out these helpful resources:

• MIT's Blog: Applying While Transgender
• FAQ About Transgender Students at Colleges and Universities
• Campus Pride Trans Policy Clearinghouse
• Supporting Transgender Transitioning Students in the College Application Process
• Recordings from NJCAC LGBTQ+ College Fair and Info Sessions
• LGBTQ+ Youth - HRC - Human Rights Campaign

Looking for college suggestions?

View the college collection a created for a list of colleges that are known for having trans-friendly environments:

Colleges with Trans-Friendly Environments

Carolyn allison caplan (she/her).

Carolyn Allison Caplan (aka AdmissionsMom) is an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) focused on using mindfulness in the college admissions journey. She is also a mother of three college graduates ( Vanderbilt , Harvard , and Tufts ) and a sought-after voice on topics related to the college admissions process. She earned a College Counseling Certificate (w/Distinction) from UCLA and is a member of HECA | IECA | TACAC | NACAC.

Admissions Journey  |  AdmissionsMom

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Queer students, take heart.

College is not like high school. Even if you went to a high school that was accepting of your sexuality or gender identity, college is a whole new ballgame.

At many colleges, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ) community is a visible and valued part of campus life. Students who are questioning or in the closet often find that it's easier to explore and be open about their identity in college. You'll probably meet a lot of people who have struggled with similar issues. You're also likely to find more activities, services, and, at most schools, LGBTQ resource centers. Many colleges offer a major or minor in LGBTQ Studies. You may even find decide to tell your story in your college essay —if you can explain how your sexuality or gender identity has helped shape who you are.

That said, college is still part of the real world—you may encounter homophobia at some point during your four years. And not all colleges are as accepting of LGBTQ students. It's important to do your research , discuss your priorities with your college counselor ,  visit campuses , and pick a school where you'll be comfortable.

A Note About Language

We recognize that it is not possible to write in a way that is inclusive of all identities, relationships and life experiences.

We use the term "queer" to refer to the collective community of LGBTQ students. In the past, the term "queer" has been used in a derogatory manner, but today many in the LGBTQ community have reclaimed it as a term of empowerment and inclusiveness.

Read More: College Rankings

Additional Resources for LGBTQ Students

The Princeton Review's Gay and Lesbian Guide to College Life features advice from students and administrators at more than seventy colleges, and each year we publish an annual ranking list of the nation’s most and least LGBT-friendly campuses. The list identifies colleges whose students give their communities high ratings when its comes to equal treatment.

Many organizations offer scholarships specifically for LGBTQ students.

• Campus Pride offers resources, programs and services to support LGBT and ally students on college campuses across the United States.
• Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) has plenty of resources for your parents—and you.
• Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. 

Check out Rob Franek's Huffington Post blog for more tips for LGBTQ college applicants .

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College Nut

The Importance of Authenticity in Writing College Essays for LGBT Applicants

Understanding the Unique Challenges LGBT Students Face in College Admissions

College admissions can be a daunting process for any student, but for those who identify as LGBT, the journey can be particularly challenging. As an expert in this field, I know that LGBT students must often navigate a complex set of circumstances, including societal stigmas, discrimination, and a lack of understanding from those around them. These factors can make it challenging to craft an authentic and compelling college essay that accurately represents their experiences and aspirations.

The Pressure to Conform

One of the most significant issues LGBT students face when writing essays is the pressure to conform. Many students choose to conceal their identities to avoid discrimination or judgment from others, even when doing so runs counter to their values or experiences. This self-censorship can make it challenging to write a strong essay that accurately represents who they are and what they hope to achieve.

The Need for Representation

Another challenge that LGBT students face when writing essays is the lack of representation in the media and in college admissions materials. This lack of visibility can leave students feeling isolated and unsure of how to present themselves in their essays. Without positive role models or examples to follow, LGBT students may struggle to find their voice and express themselves authentically.

The Importance of Authenticity

Despite the challenges, it is essential for LGBT students to remain true to themselves when writing their college essays. Admissions officers value authenticity and want to see applicants who are genuine and honest about their experiences and aspirations. A strong essay that accurately represents an applicant’s unique perspective can set them apart from other applicants and increase their chances of acceptance.

Tips for Writing Authentic College Essays as an LGBT Student

As an expert in this field, I have compiled a list of tips that can help LGBT students write powerful and authentic college essays:

1. Lean Into Your Identity

Instead of trying to hide or downplay your identity, lean into it. Your experiences and perspectives are unique and valuable, and sharing them can help admissions officers understand you better as a person.

2. Be Honest

Honesty is always the best policy, and this is especially true when writing college essays. Share your thoughts, experiences, and aspirations openly and honestly.

3. Highlight Your Accomplishments

As an LGBT student, you may have overcome significant challenges to get to where you are today. Don’t be afraid to highlight these accomplishments in your essay, as they can demonstrate your resilience and determination.

4. Use Your Voice

Your essay is your opportunity to speak directly to admissions officers. Use your voice and your writing style to convey your message and stand out from other applicants.

5. Seek Feedback

Finally, it’s essential to seek feedback from trusted sources, such as teachers, mentors, or family members who are supportive of your identity. Their input can help you refine your essay and ensure that it accurately represents your experiences and aspirations.

In conclusion, writing a college essay as an LGBT student can be a challenge, but it’s essential to remain true to yourself and share your unique perspectives and experiences. By leaning into your identity, being honest, highlighting your accomplishments, using your voice, and seeking feedback, you can write an authentic and powerful essay that increases your chances of acceptance. Remember, your voice matters, and the world needs to hear it.

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© 2023 College Nut

College Experience Guide for LGBTQ+ Students

Editor, Reviewer & Writer

• LGBTQ+ students face personal, social, and societal challenges navigating college.
• Choosing an inclusive campus requires doing some homework, but it's worth it.
• Conferences and events hosted by LGBTQ+ organizations offer additional support and education.
• LGBTQ+ college students are deeply impacted by the pandemic and fights for racial justice.

A February 2023 Gallup poll February 2023 Gallup poll indicates that 7.2% of U.S. adults identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community — a notable increase from 2017 data (4.5%). Furthermore, millennials and Generation Z are more likely to identify as LGBTQ+ than previous age groups, meaning incoming college classes will likely include more LGBTQ+ students than ever before. Where an LGBTQ+ student chooses to attend college can have lifelong implications on their future. As a result, campus culture and resources are integral to the college experience for LGBTQ+ students.

Schools that aren't committed to gender justice and sexual liberation may expose LGBTQ+ students to additional stress and academic disruptions, which can impact their mental health and wellbeing. LGBTQ+ students deserve to study in educational environments that empower them, support their personal growth, and invest in change that improves their lives.

The following guide offers a brief overview of the varying experiences and challenges LGBTQ+ students may face on campus, important issues LGBTQ+ learners should consider when navigating college life, and resources for additional education, awareness, and support.

Common Challenges for LGBTQ+ College Students

Impacts of the pandemic.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has amplified preexisting challenges for LGBTQ+ college students , such as financial stress, health disparities, housing insecurity, home/family conditions that aren't fully supportive, and a sense of isolation and disconnection from communities and support systems. Understanding this context is essential to recognizing the hurdles these students were already experiencing prior to the pandemic, and it informs the unique support LGBTQ+ college students need moving forward.

Fighting for Racial Justice

Efforts to combat racism and anti-Blackness are playing out on college campuses and deeply affect student life. Students who activate in response to injustices against Black and Brown communities are faced with choices about balancing school work with fighting for justice. LGBTQ+ students of color are also concurrently impacted by the dynamics of racism, homophobia, and transphobia . College learners need programs and support services that follow intersectional approaches and honor the identities and experiences of all students.

Surge of Anti-Trans Legislation

Policy proposals intended to restrict transgender and nonbinary people's lives are not new, but recently there's been a significant increase in anti-trans legislation . This legislation reduces trans people's access to healthcare, participation in sports, and safety in public spaces on and off campus. Colleges that comply with transphobic laws damage the mental health of trans, nonbinary, and intersex students, which also creates more work for support staff. These proposed policies are harmful and negatively impact how trans people are perceived and treated, even if they aren't voted into law.

Not Feeling [Insert Identity] Enough

Sharing space with other LGBTQ+ people can be empowering, but it can also cause students to compare themselves to others in ways that impact their self-worth and confidence. This can spur feelings of not being queer/trans enough. This is a valid experience, which can be mitigated by supportive community-centered spaces that assure students of their progress and honor the worth of their journeys.

Finding Community and Relationships

Establishing meaningful relationships is an important aspect of LGBTQ+ students' college experiences and overall well-being. However, finding community can be difficult if LGBTQ+ students don't have access to welcoming spaces based on shared interests beyond having similar identities, such as hobbies or academic programs. Both in-person and online spaces can provide opportunities for LGBTQ+ students to make connections. Digital spaces can allow students to explore their identities in ways that are safer and more comfortable than doing so in person.

• Collapse All

From your perspective, what are the challenges facing LGBTQ+ students today?

I think that many college campuses are more aware and inclusive of LGBTQ+ students these days, but there are still quite a few challenges. A lot of these challenges are similar to those in our society generally, but they manifest in specific ways on college campuses.

For example, many colleges still don't have gender-neutral bathrooms and locker room facilities. Or if they do, they are few and far between. At most colleges, it can still be very difficult to update one's sex marker with the registrar's office.

Another challenge has to do with professors and administrators educating themselves about the letters in LGBTQ+ and what they mean. Why have some letters been dropped, and others added? What does the "+" mean? We often hear references to "the LGBTQ+ community" or "LGBTQ+ people," but it's really important to understand that this umbrella covers a very wide range of identities, experiences, and expressions.

5 Important Questions LGBTQ+ Students Should Consider

Do you see yourself represented at the university?

While skimming websites and brochures, if there aren't signs that a university is thinking about LGBTQ+ students, that could be a red flag. The same goes for campus tours and college visits. The buildings may not be plastered with rainbows, but there should be some cues that LGBTQ+ people exist on campus.

What types of programs and initiatives are taking place on campus?

While Pride Month campaigns and National Coming Out Day luncheons are celebratory events that can bring visibility to LGBTQ+ communities, it's also important for campuses to have ongoing initiatives that aim to improve LGBTQ+ students' lives. For example, schools should have gender-inclusive housing and restrooms, educational workshops, and anti-discrimination policies.

Is there a center or designated staff member providing LGBTQ+ student support?

Many campuses have physical spaces for LGBTQ+ students to gather, study, or access resources and staff whose primary job is supporting LGBTQ+ students. Those spaces and designated staff can indicate that a school is intentionally focusing on meeting LGBTQ+ students' needs.

Is there an LGBTQ+ student organization or other student-led space?

Getting involved in a student organization can connect LGBTQ+ students to new friends, provide educational opportunities not available in a classroom, and give them an outlet for expressing themselves . Spaces run by students may also teach valuable skills related to program planning, budgeting, fundraising, and leadership.

Have many anti-LGBTQ+ incidents occurred at the university?

Your safety at college is paramount. However, even if there have been homophobic incidents on a college's campus it the past, it can be informative to research how university administrators have responded to them. Quick action, policy change, and collaboration with LGBTQ+ students and staff are promising signs that the university is responsive and committed to combating anti-LGBTQ+ behavior.

What factors should students consider when choosing a college that supports LGBTQ+ learners?

I think it's important to do your homework on campus culture to get a sense of whether and to what extent a campus is welcoming and inclusive of LGBTQ+ students and their allies. You can get some sense of this by looking at college websites and seeing where, if at all, they mention LGBTQ+ identities.

I recommend taking a look at a college's mission statement, as well as seeing whether LGBTQ+ identities are mentioned in the college's diversity, equity, and inclusion statement. That will give you a sense of where a college's leadership stands on issues impacting LGBTQ+ students.

Also, check to see if there's a gender, sexuality, and women's studies program. While you might not choose to major or minor in the subject, the existence of such a program will can you a sense of whether LGBTQ+ courses and research are valued. Typically, these programs also hold events and meetups that may be of interest to you.

National LGBTQ+ Organizations and Conferences You Should Know

This volunteer-driven nonprofit develops student leaders and offers resources to create positive change on college campuses.

This member-based organization works to support LGBTQ+ people in higher education through a racial justice framework.

Members of this movement work to achieve the collective liberation of trans, queer, and gender-nonconforming Latino/a people through local and national organizing.

This group aims to end racism and homophobia through policy changes, coalition building, and racial justice.

This organization provides scholarship, mentoring, and leadership opportunities as a way to help LGBTQ+ students overcome barriers to accessing college.

There are many national, regional, and state-based conferences for LGBTQ+ college students. Here is a short list of annual events:

• Big 12 LGBTQIA and Allies Summit hosted by Texas Tech University
• Creating Change hosted by the National LGBTQ Task Force
• Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Asexual College Conference hosted by the Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity
• National Conference on Race and Ethnicity hosted by the University of Oklahoma
• Queer Asian Conference hosted by the University of California, Berkeley

Explore LGBTQ+ Resources

Frequently asked questions about lgbtq+ college life, how do i address my lgbtq+ identity in college applications.

Share what feels most comfortable and safe. Be aware that what's submitted through an application, such as your preferred name or pronouns, isn't guaranteed to reach other offices on campus. LGBTQ+ students might end up having to re-share this information later.

Are there any confidential resources for LGBTQ+ students on campus?

A staff member at a college's LGBTQ+ center should keep discussions about your identity and personal life confidential. They are not required to provide the information you discuss to anyone else. However, it's a good idea to ask staff (including student staff) if they're a "mandated reporter" before disclosing certain information — these indivuals are required to report certain crimes, such as sexual assault or harrassment.

Where should I look to find LGBTQ+ student organizations at my college?

Student involvement or campus life offices usually oversee all student organizations and would have information about LGBTQ+ student groups. An LGBTQ+ student center may also be housed within a school's diversity and inclusion office.

How can I start an LGBTQ+ organization if there are none on my campus?

Contact your student or campus life office and ask about the process. Typically, you'll need to find 3-4 other students willing to help start the group. You'll also need to find an advisor and register your organization.

R.B. Brooks, M.S. Ed.

R.B. Brooks (they/them) is an educator and writer with a radical imagination. Their work focuses on queer and trans college students, Midwest culture, conference planning, and social change. R.B. received their master's in higher education administration from the University of Kansas and their bachelor's in creative writing and journalism from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

They are Director of Programs for the Midwest Institute for Sexuality & Gender Diversity and program coordinator for the Sexuality and Gender Equity Initiatives at the University of Minnesota Duluth. R.B. also serves on the executive board for the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals.

Heath Fogg Davis

Heath Fogg Davis is a Professor of Political Science and the Director of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies at Temple University. His book "Beyond Trans: Does Gender Matter?" questions our need for gender policies, and offers practical strategies to help organizations design and implement policies that are both trans-inclusive and better for all of us.

He consults on diversity and inclusion with businesses, schools, and nonprofits, and was an appointed member of the Mayor's Commission on LGBT Affairs in Philadelphia. His commentary on transgender and gender nonconforming political and legal issues has appeared in BuzzFeed, Sports Illustrated, The Washington Post, the Christian Science Monitor, Women's Health Magazine, Glassdoor, Aeon Magazine, and the Philadelphia Inquirer, as well as on CNN.com, MSNBC, NPR, and Sex Out Loud.

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College Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Students

LGBT - Free Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

Among cultural and ethical impacts, a special community in the society of the United States society has been pressed for its sexual orientation. Many people blame them for being who they are. Such a community is called LGBT, which incorporates lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. If this theme is close to you and you are aware of specific issues these people face, you can embark on writing argumentative essays about LGBTQ. There is much to write about their rights, relationship, societal acceptance, or discrimination. Also, there is a place to argue about the government’s attitude toward the LGBTQ community. So, there are enough issues to raise and discuss in your essay.

To make your research easier, we recommend you study available essay examples on LGBT. This will help you direct your thoughts and problems you want to argue in your research paper. Make sure you start with an outline where you point out the introduction, main body, and conclusion to bring up a quality paper. If you don’t feel confident with your topic about gender equality, you can always come to our LGBT essay topics section. Once you define a theme for your paper, ensure to define an interesting thesis statement.

Discrimination of the LGBTQ Community

Since the beginning of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community, it has been one of the most discriminated against groups in the world as they are denied the basic rights that most people get to enjoy. Today, it is still legal to discriminate someone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity in thirty states. The following pages will inform readers on discrimination of the LGBTQ community by the general public, in schools, and in the workplace. […]

The LGBT Subculture – Same-Sex Attraction

The LGBT subculture refers the same-sex attraction. Individuals who belong in this subculture include Lesbians (females attracted to other females), Gays (males attracted to other males), Bisexuals (people attracted to both same and opposite sexes), and Transgenders (people who have undergone sex change). The LGBT subculture is among the minorities within society due to discrimination from individuals who are against the LGBT society. Individuals who belong to the LGBT subculture are vulnerable as they face the risk of being attacked […]

Gender Identity & Sexual Orientation Essay

Gender identity is how someone feels inside, which could be expressed in many ways, for example, by clothing, appearance, and behavior. There are a few gender identities other than the common two, female and male. When it comes to both terms, people tend to confuse the two, and although they may seem similar, it is two completely different things like being a masculine female or a feminine male, transgender and gender fluid. Some may not feel female or male and […]

Substance Abuse Among LGBT

Dating as far back as the 1920's the gay rights movement has slowly fought for the rights and changes that have made the United States what it is today. Beginning from the stonewall riots, to enacting laws against sexual orientation discrimination, as well as the ""Don't ask don't tell policy"" and the landmark supreme court decision Obergefell v. Hodges, that extended the right for same sex couples to marry nationwide. All of these are just some of the most progressive […]

Anti LGBT Discrimination

Anti LGBT Discrimination The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population has long fought for their right to equal treatment with some progress made. As society's values change and adjust to become more accepting of this marginalized community, the more our policies and lawmakers include them. Anti-LGBT policy is at risk. Under the Trump administration, the federal civil rights law, Title IX, that bans sex discrimination, would enact that sex only include female, or male orientation and is strictly determined […]

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What is Discrimination?

Discrimination is well known in all societies. It is treating some people unequally that is treating people differently. Discrimination can be unlawful or legal. Legal discrimination is whereby you discriminate against a person for being who he or she is. However, if you treat a person in an unjust manner due to their race, religion, age, nationality ethical background or gender is said to be unlawful. In businesses, for instance, where an employer may decide to mistreat his or her […]

LGBT Tolerance in the Netherlands

Introduction Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is frequently called the "gay capital" of the world. The Netherlands was the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001, eliminating any distinction between heterosexual and homosexual marriages. Following suit, other countries began emulating this law (Taylor), proving the Dutch as pioneering forces in LGBT rights for decades. The acronym LGBT represents lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. The first three letters are related to sexual orientation, which are collectively considered homosexuality. Homosexuals […]

Mentoring LGBT Youth

Abstract Mentoring LGBT youth is especially important due to the incredibly high rate of suicide in the LGBT community. According to the Human Rights Campaign around twenty-six percent of LGBT youth stated that they “always feel safe in their school classrooms” which is nearly a quarter of all LGBT reported youth. It was only five percent that stated that they felt that “all of their teachers and school staff are supportive of LGBT individuals” (hrc.org). Moving on to the home […]

Transgender Bathroom Bill: Support it or against It?

The Transgender Bathroom Bill is one of the hot topics that has been going around the news and media, especially in Texas and North Carolina. This topic has been around since 2016 and it has only grown more and more ever since then. The Transgender Bathroom Bill stems from transgender rights. The bill was created to define the rights and access to public toilets for transgender people. The current arguments circling around this bill is that transgender individuals should be […]

LZ Granderson and Issues LGBT Community

I already knew the LGBT were discriminated against. What was startling to me were the maps Granderson pulled up, giving visual to the states that have laws protecting LGBT people, more importantly, that most states do not. I guess I never thought about the fact that without specific laws protecting LGBT American's, there is no protection against being fired, evicted from housing, and being disqualified to adopt. I think I based LGBT issues on what is reported in media, which […]

Types of Discrimination Exists in the Diverse LGBTQ Community

In the past few years, people in the United States of America who identify as being a part of the LGBTQ community are progressively encouraged each day to publicly announce their desired sexual orientation due to recent strides in equality. When looking back into history of America, there were countless events where individuals who came out as homosexuals in the past were viewed as 'disturbing' and 'inappropriate' and were severely punished for doing so. This resulted into the tragic reality […]

LGBD Community in the United States

Undoubtedly, the United States has a significant amount of its population who identify themselves as being lesbian, gay or bisexual (Fredriksen-Goldsen et al., 2012). Moreover, as the population keeps aging, the need for more frequent health care accompanies the phenomenon. Although the number of older adults who are part of the LGB community tends to keep growing, this group still find themselves receiving different treatments from heterosexual older adults, and one of the areas in which they still have not […]

LGBT+ Rights Movement between 1960-1980

This secondary source depicts the very first LGBT+ Sit-In in 1965. This source gives crucial information that connects the methods of protests of the LGBT+ Rights Movement to other Humanitarian Movements such as the Civil Rights Movement. These types of connections may suggest a reasoning for the quick successes of the LGBT+ Rights Movement quick acheivements with the legalization of same-sex marriage only decades later after the start of the movement, while other movements took almost hundreds of years to […]

Sexual Prejudice Towards LGBTQ and Gender Differences

Sexual Prejudice Towards LGBTQ and Gender Differences: Literature Review Social Psychology Ana Esther Paulino Sanchez SUNY Geneseo Abstract There is a difference between the prejudice and attitude towards LGBTQ according to gender. Studies like Gregory M. Hereck (2000), Sarlo and Buodo (2017), Glotfelter and Anderson (2012), and Kiebel et al (2017) further explore these differences. In each study, the difference in sexual prejudice according to gender is analyzed differently. All of the results came to a similar conclusion that men […]

Gay Bullying: Bullying in LGBTQ Students

In the past ten years an overwhelming amount of students have come out to say that they are some form of LGBTQ. According to the center of disease control roughly 1.3 million high school students identify as LGBTQ. These students face turmoil and outright discrimination in school. The widely used acronym stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender etc. While repetitive bullying has occasionally lead to self mutilation or suicide, bullying in LGBTQ teens make both of these occurrences significantly more […]

How are LGBT+ People Portrayed in the Media?

How gay men and lesbians are presented in the media has been one of the most abundant areas of analysis and research within homosexual studies as well as a queer theory since the 1970s (Gudelunas). Although in a relatively recent area of study, this work is considered essential for a better understanding of how a modern gay and lesbian identity was shaped, reflected, and at times ignored by mainstream media (Hoffman). In the United States and soon to be everywhere […]

Self Esteem Among the LGBT

Abstract This study observed how self-esteem is seen among those who are a part of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community. At times it will be referred to as LGBTQ which includes queer as well. Data from multiple studies on each part of the LGBT was studied to see if self-esteem is affected. Minority stress scales, self-esteem scales, mindfulness acceptance, and family and friends were looked at to see if any of those might influence stress. Self-esteem is […]

LGBTQ Representation in Media

The representation of LGBTQ people in mainstream media in recent years has been questioned for some time now. In a 2017 InStyle article Alim Kheraj unfolds the findings of GLAAD Studio Responsibility Index- GLAAD being a media monitoring organization with the mission of holding media outlets accountable for their representation of LGBTQ people. Kheraj points out that major productions studios, who reach massive audiences globally, fail to represent queer people, especially those who don’t identify as lesbian or gay as […]

LGBT Employment Discrimination

Abstract Diversity at workplace has been an important agenda to be achieved by most of the organizations. Legally India has taken many steps in this area to identify the rights of LGBT community. Discrimination and the fear of discrimination is an important concern among the minorities at workplace. They get ignored and ill-treated by the other employees for their sexual preference. Nevertheless progress have been made in this sector and organizations have developed many policies to protect the rights of […]

Depiction of Discrimination in to Kill a Mockingbird

"Our generation has had no Great war, no Great Depression. Out war is spiritual. Our depression is our lives" (Chuck Palahniuk). Discrimination was most common in the 1930's and was performed by prejudice people against others. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, discrimination is one of the main conflicts in the story. Till this day, people still face discrimination and injustice. Throughout the novel, sexism, classism, and racism are prominent in the lives of the characters. […]

Inequality and Discrimination LGBTQ Face

Hugo Lopez SOCI 1306 April 7, 2019 M. Laurel-Wilson Inequality and Discrimination LGBTQ Individuals Face Ever since early ages, LGBTQ individuals have been coping with discrimination. The severity of the issue varies from lynching to even avoiding sitting right next to them. These issues can also vary from public spaces (train station, school, bus), to even their workplace, and even at home where they do not get support from their family. Having to face this discrimination daily is why so […]

Inclusive Sex Education for Lgbt in Schools

As a person of color and sister of two gay brothers, I have been deeply concerned of the topic of inclusion of all type of minority groups, especially those in the LGBT community. For many years they have been treated as outsiders of societal standards and living with constant fear that they will be next in line to being stoned to death. We hear and see in the news of LGBT individuals who have been physically attacked or killed for […]

LGBT Adoption Rights

The LGBT community in America has come a long way in recent years. In June of 2015, President Barack Obama announced to the public that The United States Supreme Court struck down all state laws banning same-sex marriage. A similar law was passed that prohibited businesses from discriminating against potential or current employees due to their sexual or romantic orientation. It was a huge step forward for the LGBT community. More americans were able to express their true selves, without […]

LGBTQ Rights and the Labeling Theory

Hello Katie. Thank you for sharing your post. I like how you incorporated Greek cultures concept of sexuality. In fact history and culture have been very influential in how human sexuality is perceived. I like how your post talks about "The Label Theory" you state in your post "There is a theory called the "Label Theory" and it basically states that "people come to identify and behave in ways that reflect how others label them". This is definitely a challenge for […]

Oppression in the LGBTQ Community

The LGBTQ community in America has been faced with discrimination for decades. This discrimination is called heterosexism. The LGBTQ community has a long history of being attacked both physically and verbally by heterosexual communities that want to oppress their rights. The oppression of the LGBTQ community has been going on for several decades, and there is still very apparent hatred towards the group and its allies. The LGBTQ community and their allies have faced discrimination in their everyday lives, even […]

Stereotyping Genders in the LGBT Community over Television

Ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause has been known as propaganda (“Propaganda.”). Propaganda can be used in many different ways to influence the public. For instance homosexuals use propaganda to influence people that attend LGBT community movements. During these movements most people that come to rally are a part of the LGBT community, which includes people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (What). Although homosexuals have been viewed in […]

Oppression and Discrimination Among LGBT Community

Historical Aspects of LGBT’s Lesbian, gays, bi-sexual and transgender individuals are no new discovery and have been present for many years in modern American history. But the same unresolved issues are sending the LGBT community into oppression. With the LGBT community expanding all over the world and becoming more publicly known and forced to be sought as normal; it has initiated controversy because LGBT individuals feel that America should welcome their reality; while others believe LGBT Acts are unruly. The […]

All Religion View LGBTQ Life Styles Negatively

The Relationship between religion and LGBTQ community is different from time and place, and different religions. Countless religions in the world view LGBTQ negatively. This Negativity can range from explicitly forbidding to discouraging same sex sexual practices, and sexual reassignment, but liberals and progressive voices actively push social acceptance of the LGBTQ Identities. Most of the LGBTQ have been raised in many different organized religions many cherish their community’s faith but many are being forced to leave those communities’ behind […]

The Fight for Rights of the LGBTQ Community

Homosexuality has been a controversial topic throughout history and the world for many years. A person who is homosexual is attracted to people of their own gender. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer social movements fight for LGBTQ people in today’s society. Social reform movements may focus on equal rights, such as the twenty first century movement for basic rights such as marriage equality, or they may focus on liberation, as in the gay salvation movement of the 1960s and […]

LGBTQ Policies

LGBTQ+ Students and the School Policies and Practices that Affect Achievement and Well-Being Samantha Avery Austin Peay State University EDUC 5520-W1 Abstract This paper explores several school policies and practices that affect LGBTQ+ students and how they affect student achievement. The articles examined discuss the importance of safe learning environments and cover some of the different programs that schools are implementing in order to create inclusive learning environments. By expanding anti-bullying policies and creating safe spaces, states and individual school […]

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Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — LGBT — The Importance of Accepting the LGBT

The Importance of Accepting The LGBT

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Related Essays on LGBT

Dworkin, S. H. (Ed.). (2019). The Wiley Blackwell encyclopedia of gender and sexuality studies. Wiley Blackwell.Meyer, I. H. (Ed.). (2017). The Wiley Handbook of LGBTQ Psychology. Wiley Blackwell.Herek, G. M. (2009). Hate crimes [...]

Sports have always played a significant role in society, serving as a platform for competition, entertainment, and personal growth. In recent years, the question of whether transgender athletes should compete in sports has [...]

Burns, C. (n.d.). Gay and Transgender People Face High Rates of Workplace Discrimination and Harassment. Center for American Progress. [...]

The issue of gay marriage has been a topic of extensive debate, sparking discussions on both sides of the spectrum. This essay aims to delve into the arguments for and against gay marriage, exploring how they are wielded in the [...]

In this last month, I’ve been reading Redefining Realness by Janet Mock. It is a book where the author tells us with great detail her journey as a trans woman. She mentions the obstacles, problems, and changes she had to go [...]

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a movie based on the novel written by Stephen Chbosky. It features a socially awkward boy named Charlie trying his best to fit in at high school, after a traumatic childhood. Perks is a [...]

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LGBT Essay Examples

Racism is known to be serious trouble in the LGBT community of the USA. Its influence is increasing with time and the inability to stop the tendency causes direct dependence with the inequalities in the social, professional, economic and entertainment spheres. According to Owen (2016), an astonishing 80% of black...

656 words 3 page(s)

In the mid 1990’s, Subaru was struggling quite badly. Other big car companies such as Ford and Toyota were destroying them, and Subaru looked on its way out. However, one crucial decision not only saved the company but also paved the way for gay and lesbian marketing. After Subaru fired...

1008 words 4 page(s)

Gay marriage is one of the most prominent social issues of our time, deeply affecting how we think about one of our foundational social institutions, that of the family. Those against gay marriage suggest that legalizing homosexuals to wed erodes the family foundation, plunging the stability of this social form...

422 words 2 page(s)

Not Sure You Can Handle Your "LGBT" Essay? Hire Our Experts!

As the prevalence of gender dysphoria raises and as the reported quality of life of women who have gender dysphoria is significantly lower compared to the general population’s quality of life, mental health professionals are challenged with finding out ways to improve the perceived quality of life for gender dysphoric...

399 words 2 page(s)

Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) community have been openly fighting for equal rights under the law since the 1960s in the United States, and have made a great deal of progress toward equality over the last two decades. Homosexual couples are now able to marry...

1009 words 4 page(s)

The LGBT rights movement in this country has come a very long way over the course of the past several decades. The movement had successfully managed to inspire legislative, cultural, and societal change to a degree that would have likely been unimaginable at the time of the 1969 Stonewall riots...

721 words 3 page(s)

It oftentimes happens that feminist activists seek things which simply do not exist, and having not found them, they still continue to look for such. It seems to be the case with De Beauvoir. At least this is what comes to mind after reading her most widely known text ....

790 words 3 page(s)

Introduction The debate surrounding the difference between sex and gender has manifested itself for quite some time. Some scholars have premised the difference in terms of culture while others have had in mind other forms of determinisms. Some medics have even gone to the extent of conducting research on the...

1056 words 4 page(s)

The differences between same sex couples and man and woman experience could involve the fact that, the latter can experience unplanned pregnancy while same sex couples may not experience societal pressure on having children. Lesbians and gay men married mostly both the desire and intention of becoming parents. Lesbians and...

349 words 2 page(s)

Research by J. M. Carrier on the cross-cultural perspective of homosexual behavior has emphasized the absence of uniformity in the global attitude toward homosexuality. In some of the countries, it is tolerated and causes no condemnation, whereas in the other nations it is severely punished. The justification for such variations...

689 words 3 page(s)

Balter, M. (2015). Can epigenetics explain homosexuality puzzle? Science, 350(6257), 148. This article details the findings of a new study which suggests that “epigenetic effects - chemical modifications of the human genome that alter gene activity without changing the DNA sequence-- may sometimes influence sexual orientation” (Balter, 2015, p. 148)....

363 words 2 page(s)

Changes in modern times have traversed politics, religion, the economy as well as society, where positive attitudes involving the acceptance, not only of overt homosexuality but also gay marriages, have increased despite strong sentiments and debates against the trend. While writing his article back in 1993, Eskridge Jr. (1420-3) asserted...

977 words 4 page(s)

In the touching film “The Times of Harvey Milk”, a story of an openly gay politician Harvey Milk, many different people played important roles. One of these important roles was that of Jim Elliot, an auto mechanist that organized and led a union that came together with other union delegates...

616 words 3 page(s)

When Harvey Milk was murdered in late 1978 just a few short months after being sworn in as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, some felt that America had experienced a high-water mark for anti-gay intimidation. Milk, of course, was an icon in the gay community, becoming...

982 words 4 page(s)

The following sets of demographic differences were selected: one stay-at-home parent/dual career and secular/religious. In the case where one of the parents is a stay-at-home parent the following issues may need to be addressed: how the stay-at-home parents feels; potential lack of self-actualization for the stay-at-home parents; financial issues and...

392 words 2 page(s)

Homosexuality has become a much-debated topic. Though the issue isn’t a new one – after all, homosexuality has been around for a very long time – but the world is on the cusp of actually changing things for homosexual people. (Time Magazine Online). After all, the U.S. now has a...

583 words 2 page(s)

The subject of gay rights is one of the most important and controversial issues which contemporary politicians find themselves faced with. Many people argue that gay people should be afforded the same legal and civil rights as those who are heterosexual and that this should be particularly manifested in the...

998 words 4 page(s)

The following paper compares and contrasts some of the similarities and differences between gay marriage and homosexual marriage. This issue has become increasing prominent over the last five years internationally as many countries have for the first time allowed gay marriage. To these ends the following paper will be divided...

The LGBQT (lesbian, gay, bi, questioning, transgender) community is currently going through the same civil rights movement that blacks and women have gone through. While the right to vote is not being debated, other rights are being taken away. Lawmakers are trying to make it illegal for people in this...

601 words 3 page(s)

In the essay “Why are Gay Men So Feared?” Dennis Altman argues that homophobia is based on fears and sexual hang-ups that damage the entire society, not just gay people. Altman argues that the violent reaction to gay men comes from the fact they threaten the gender roles that are...

692 words 3 page(s)

In a very real sense, it is inescapable that the gay liberation movement would have strong parallels with other social and civil rights causes of the 1960s and 1970s. The “Stonewall Uprising” documentary makes this clear, and the similarities are expressed by more than one gay person recalling the riots;...

1213 words 5 page(s)

We are lucky to be young in the country of opportunities where we can pursue every dream, every desire, and every crazy idea that might cross our minds and have a real chance of being rewarded with money, success, and social recognition for doing what we love and what we...

537 words 2 page(s)

Our way of living and social norms are changing constantly, and as we move forward, we become more accepting understanding, and compassionate towards the fellow human beings even if they chose to live lives we would not choose for ourselves. As Christians, we are responsible for offering love, acceptance, and...

580 words 2 page(s)

During the early to mid-70s, gay rights advanced more quickly than it had during the prior two decades combined; in many states, sodomy laws were repealed, and in many cities in the United States, civil rights protections for gay people were adopted. In addition, for the first time lesbians and...

983 words 4 page(s)

I. Introduction A. The United States Constitution protects gay marriage because of its commitment to liberty and equality for all. B. Gay marriage can assist in increasing finances in local, state, and federal governments. C. Since legal marriage is a secular institution, it should not be prevented due to religious...

343 words 2 page(s)

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Transgender College Essays Samples For Students

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Do you feel the need to check out some previously written College Essays on Transgender before you begin writing an own piece? In this free directory of Transgender College Essay examples, you are provided with an exciting opportunity to discover meaningful topics, content structuring techniques, text flow, formatting styles, and other academically acclaimed writing practices. Adopting them while crafting your own Transgender College Essay will surely allow you to complete the piece faster.

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Example Of How Different Sexual Cultures Can Operate To Reproduce Or Challenge Heteronormativity Essay

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The transgender policy was created through a comprehensive and inclusive process involving the leadership of all armed services, members of transgender services, medical experts, advocacy groups, and the Rand Corporation (Defense.gov, 2017). It was to serve members openly so that they may no longer be discharged, and isolated from the military because of being transgender people. Moreover, the policies were to be implemented in stages by addressing the needs of the present service members, commanders as well as the whole force, and ultimately, the forces were to recruit based on transgender.

Transgender Safety In Public Restrooms Essay Template For Faster Writing

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Targeting Transgender Children, South Dakota Passes Transphobic School Bathroom Bill

Guest Presenters: Chase Strangio, staff attorney, ACLU- LGBT & HIV Project. The show debates a bill likely to be passed by the South Dakota that prevents transgender students in public schools from using bathrooms that do not correspond to their own gender identity. Chase Santiago, Staff attorney for American Civil Liberties Union is the guest presenter and discuss with Amy Goodman as to how the passage of the bill would mean more persecution for the transgender children.

Write By Example Of This LGBT Rights In The United States Essay

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Gender Fluidity is Sound

Transgender Dilemma: Example Essay By An Expert Writer To Follow

Lgbt parenting essay.

GLBT refers to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals in the society who have the zeal to undertake parenthood responsibilities. In this regard, people who are engrossed in LGBT parenting would have a preference of parenting one or more children. It is important to note as Mallon (269) has done that GLBT parents have got the same reasons behind parenting as heterosexual people. He furthers this idea explaining why a significant number of GLBT parents get into parenthood when they are single with an intention of creating a family.

Example Of Transgender Essay

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Making a decision to undergo Sex reassignment surgery takes a lot of courage and commitment. Besides, the patient usually has a lot of expectations now that the very part of the body is changed permanently. During the various stages of transition, the patient experiences numerous psychological and physical challenges. If not addressed efficiently, these challenges may have a critical impact on the life of the patient after the transgender surgical procedure.

Challenges before SRS – Pre-operative stage

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In this discussion two articles have been selected for reflection. They are ‘Prisons for our Bodies: Closets for our Minds by Patricia Hill Collins (2004) and Keeping Sex in Bounds by Abby Ferber (2004). First a summary of both articles will be presented. Afterwards an interpretive analysis of gender and intersections will be explained. Thirdly, my personal reflections will be offered and finally an evaluation of how both articles articulate contemporary gender issues will be highlighted.

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After hearing such negative sexist talk directed towards a colleague, I would take several measures aimed at ensuring that the perpetrators of the act know that their actions are wrong and should not be repeated. I would also put effort in supporting Jim, who in this case is the victim, encouraging him and urging him to stay strong in a bid to make sure that he comes out a much stronger individual. The best means of communicating would be face-to-face communication as it is a rich channel that enables instant feedback and suitable for personal conversations (Cameron, p.68).

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Free The Relationship Between Gender And Sexuality. Essay Example

Good essay about employment law and gender equality.

(Institution Name) The state chosen where there exists effective legislation for the protection of rights of people belonging to all sexual orientations from discrimination is Illinois. In the state, sexual orientation and freedom of practice of same-sex marriage was legal since 1962 till 1996 when it was finally banned. In November 2013, same-sex marriage once again regained legal recognition.

Free Psychodynamic Psychology Essay Example

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How to Come Out as LGBT in Your College Essay

Note: it takes a lot of courage and bravery to write your college essay about being gay, lesbian, bi, or trans (LGBT). Any form of coming out or personal experience about sexuality in your college essay is not easy to write. And, there are a lot of misconceptions regarding the topic. Thus, we’ve taken good care to be understanding of this topic and tread it with care.

Okay, we’re going to start this article guns blazing here.

First of all. Yes, you can certainly write your college essay about gender, coming out about your sexuality, and all other LGBT topics.

Yes. It CAN be much harder to write about these topics compared to other more “safe” topics.

Yes. It is often MUCH BETTER to write about “risky” topics such as anything regarding LGBT content (so long as you approach it correctly).

And, last but not least…

Yes. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND you work with at least one private college admissions consultant or advisor who is well-versed in LGBT content and experiences (or has worked with many in the past.)

With difficult topics, students seldom have the time or mental stamina to articulate complex experiences into the best college essays possible. It’s just rarely feasible with school, extracurriculars, and AP tests.

So, if there’s one thing you could get out of this article, it’s this.

“Risky” topics like LGBT experiences often have the BEST potential. So, we highly recommend speaking with a college admissions consultant ASAP for the right guidance.

In this article, we’re going to discuss how to come out as LGBT in your college essay, how to write about sexuality in general in college apps, and an example of a college essay about being gay that worked.

Table of Contents

• 2 Brains is Better Than One.
• Take Your Time Articulating Your Feelings and Emotions.
• It’s the Small Details That Often Hide a Lot of Meaning.
• The Essay is About You and Your Growth Over Time. It’s NOT for Garnering Sympathy.

Example College Essay About Being Gay That Worked.

• Anything Left-Leaning is an Auto-Admit.
• You Should Lie About Being LGBT for a Higher Acceptance Rate.
• All College Essay Topics Regarding LGBT and Coming Out Experiences are Harder Than Other Topics.
• My Counselors/Advisors/Teachers/Peers Recommended I Take a “Safe” Topic.

Professional College Application Help.

Contact us. we'll get to you within 24 hours. , how to come out as lgbt in your college essay..

1. 2 Brains is Better Than One.

Let’s be frank.

The college admissions essay writing process is brutal. And, when you’re writing about difficult topics that can be filled with contention and misunderstanding, you’ll have to put in more work than most other students.

It’s like the Red Queen’s dictum : you have to do everything and more just to stay in the same space.

But, as we mentioned previously, it’s often difficult topics that many consider “risky” that make for the best essay topics.

So, it’s worth it!

What we recommend is having a college admissions consultant or advisor work with you throughout the writing process. If you’re writing your college essay about coming out as LGBT, you’re going to need the expert guidance and experience a professional has in crafting the perfect narrative.

Preferably, you’d want an empathetic consultant who has experience working with LGBT students in the past.

This is not always possible. In fact, much of the college admissions community can get quite flustered, and even many of the tutors, prep instructors, and advisors in the industry can be quite opinionated about what you’re allowed to write about and what you’re not.

We often recommend students writing about difficult topics look for these 5 attributes in their advisors.

• Is willing to pay attention to what you’re saying.
• Is slow. That is, they take their time.
• Is flexible and capable of bending rules to help you create an unconventional and competitive college essay.
• Has experience working with other LGBT students in the past.
• Does NOT use fear to motivate you to buy services.

The last idea is a very, very important aspect.

It is very common for college admissions consultants and consulting firms to use fear as a marketing tactic. In fact, they will scare students into thinking their GPAs, SATs/ACTs, essay topics, extracurriculars, etc are not good enough. And, they will push students into purchasing services to make up for this.

This cannot be stated enough. If your college consultant or advisor is trying to scare you into buying more services, DON’T work with them. They just want your money.

Other than that, if your consultant has all 5 of the above elements, they are most probably good enough to work with!

2. Take Your Time Articulating Your Feelings and Emotions.

If you’re planning on coming out as LGBT in your college essay, or plan to write about LGBT topics, you need to take your time articulating your feelings.

Sure, you may know yourself better than anyone else. That’s for sure.

But, even you may not know EVERYTHING there is to know about you. Chances are, if you’ve had a difficult or complex experience with being LGBT, as most students have had, there are deeper unconscious feelings that you have yet to articulate and conceptualize into sophisticated understanding.

So, let’s say you feel upset about the experience of coming out.

Sure, you may know what your own feelings are like; but, it’s hard to express that feeling to other people who may not understand your thoughts from your perspective.

What even is the experience of coming out? How can you communicate that to others? Were you feeling JUST angry? Or, were you feeling like an imposter in your own home and therefore always in a constant state of stress that never seems to go away? Were you feeling dreadful in that you were afraid of being “found out?” Did it make you want to control the outcomes of how other people see you, and thereby unconsciously train your personality to be more controlling of others as a result?

These are all very complex and sophisticated ideas that most students have a hard time putting into words.

In short: students writing their college essays about LGBT ideas struggle to articulate in 2 weeks what takes 18 years of oppression, complexity, and trauma to understand.

That’s why students who are writing their college essays about LGBT topics should start their essays early EVEN IF they are working with a consultant who is editing and brainstorming alongside them.

Got it? Great!

On to the next point!

3. It’s the Small Details That Often Hide a Lot of Meaning.

This is a cool trick.

If you’re trying to analyze and deconstruct the complex ideas behind your experiences as an LGBT student, you may find A LOT of value in the smaller details.

It’s a general literary analysis dictum: the small, inconspicuous details often hide great meaning.

It’s where we get the whole “Why were the curtains blue” joke. The point is not that the curtains are blue in some silly way; rather, it’s about how those small details carry with them major symbolisms, ironies, and other literary significances full of meaning.

Let’s take an example.

Let’s say you want to discuss just how difficult it was for you to come out of the closet in your college essay.

For neurotypical students, they may imagine the “closet” analogy as just that: an analogy for someone “coming out” as gay just as easily as someone just opens a door. Within this analogy is binary thinking that coming out is as easy as someone just “turning the doorknob.” But, in your experience, you may find this closet analogy ridiculous.

In fact, the process of coming out comes in the form of dropping subtle hints for years and years to those around you, careful not to make the hints neither too subtle nor severe. So, you’d paint your nails or dress more against your biological sex from common gender norms; but, this is nonetheless still very different from the closet analogy.

Therefore, your college essay could even focus on the very difficulty of the “coming out of the closet” analogy itself. This is a fantastic way for admissions officers to see exactly what your experience is like without having to be too broad.

You can zero in on a minor detail as small as a common analogy and derive from it a lot of meaning.

4. The Essay is About You and Your Growth Over Time. It’s NOT for Garnering Sympathy.

This is a common problem a lot of our students here at PenningPapers struggle with.

Many of our students fall under two camps:

• They think the college essay about LGBT topics is a moment to garner sympathy from admissions officers.
• They think the college essay is not an appropriate time to come out as LGBT.

Both of these perspectives are incorrect. But, since we’ve covered the second already, we’re just going to discuss the first.

The college essay is a moment for you to open up to the admissions officers about what makes you special, your unique qualities, and any personal experiences that demonstrate qualities about you that your transcript may otherwise not show.

In other words: it’s the best chance for you to show your struggles and growth over time.

Upon writing your college essay on being LGBT, you’ll more often than not have a lot of adversities and struggles to choose from as topics. Don’t use this as a time to make a sob story. The focus isn’t for admissions officers to feel sorry for you and give you acceptance out of pity.

Instead, your job is to show them what your experience was like in your shoes; then, demonstrate how you grew from your adversities.

Here’s a hint: try to think about how your adversities unconsciously lead to growth or strength. Most students write about how their struggles have actually made them more mentally resilient and verbally sharp.

For instance: let’s say that you’ve been verbally abused for coming out as a lesbian in your school. During such verbal abuse, you could have endured much mental strain and struggle over time. But, you may have also pondered and therefore created many comebacks, techniques, and linguistic tricks that can get you out of sticky situations.

As a result, your ability to verbally articulate yourself in a manner that protects yourself and others is a skill you plan to carry on for the rest of your life. And, it can help you protect those who are disadvantaged and prone to such verbal abuse wheresoever you plan to attend.

Please do not copy and paste this into any of your college applications. This example of a college essay about being gay is only a sample. It’s meant for students to use as inspiration for ideas on how to write their own college essays on LGBT topics.

In addition, most universities can and will check your submitted essays for plagiarism.

“The point of an arrow before the string’s release. The dog’s bark before a bite. The buzz before a sting. There are many names for the feeling of despair before impending doom. The beating of the heart or the sinking feeling or the thought that something —a terrible thing— is behind you. They’re all valid, all true. They’re all terrifying. And, they’re exactly what coming out as lesbian is like. During my Sophomore year, I had a sudden outburst of openness. I’ve always felt “different” from fellow peers in that I never quite felt the same butterflies in my stomach that they did upon seeing other boys. I opened up about this difference in attraction to my brother, who, unfortunately, slipped this information to his friends and acquaintances, and their friends and acquaintances, and so on and so forth. I hold no ill will against my brother. After all, he most probably didn’t know the gravity of the secrets I was bestowing unto him. What is done is done. Yet, the struggle of having one’s secret revealed and released unto the world is certainly not a pleasant one. In fact, I believe a lot of my peers, friends, teachers and family have quite the misconception about what the process is like. It’s the bark before a bite, the point of an arrow before release. It’s the feeling that something bad is going to happen when nothing quite has yet. Well, okay; that’s not true. Something bad has happened. I was constantly harassed by classmates who had discovered this secret and pushed against my will. But, it happens intermittently. Unlike common misconception, the struggles of coming out don’t happen as one event. It’s more like multiple unfortunate events that prick and pry at your weaknesses at every turn. Death by a million cuts. Death by attrition. But, there are two things I’ve learned about this oppression. Just because I open up about my honest self does not mean the world will accept me with open arms. People can be cruel; and, unless I’m willing to accept that truth, I’ll be disappointed by unrealistic expectations. No matter how mired in oppression and bigotry my community and environment can be, I am actually more resilient than I once thought I was. Sure. I was a bit of a silly little girl. I had faith in others I shouldn’t have had. I discovered a malevolence in peers and classmates I didn’t quite know was possible. But, when the bullying came, when the bigotry unfolded, and when the barking stopped and the biting started, I realized I was… still alive. I didn’t die. And, I had a courage inside of me I never quite knew I was capable of until I fought back against those who tried to denigrate me for my sexuality for the first time. I was strong this whole time. And, at “x” University, I will continue to be strong for myself and hopefully for others who’ve yet to discover their inner strength.” Example College Essay About Being Gay That Worked –PenningPapers

Common Misconceptions

1. Anything Left-Leaning is an Auto-Admit.

We actually get this comment very often from families in the SoCal region.

“If colleges and universities prefer to lean left politically, wouldn’t it be smarter for my child to say that they’re LGBT or any other left-leaning and liberal-friendly identity for the college admissions advantages? And, if so, is this an auto-admit?”

And, well, no.

Most universities explicitly have a non-discrimination policy that they must follow for their application process.

For instance, see Lawrence University’s policy.

“Lawrence University is committed to providing equal access and opportunity to qualified individuals of all backgrounds. In accordance with this policy and with applicable federal and state law, the University prohibits discrimination in admissions, its programs and activities, employment and advancement on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, military service, protected veteran status, political affiliation, arrest record or conviction record.” Lawrence University Discrimination Policy

Now, this can get a little bit complicated.

Some universities are in fact obligated to some degree to pursue classes that have an equal distribution of genders. For instance, USC pursues a 50/50 gender ratio for its Viterbi School of Engineering. And, they’re quite proud of it!

Now, this can be infinitely more complicated given that some people do not and prefer not to subscribe to binary gender roles.

But, roughly speaking, some schools are going to put more emphasis on certain elements of gender and race equality in the application process. And, being LGBT MAY help in some regard depending on the university’s need.

However, it’s difficult for students to lie about their experience being LGBT if they’ve never been a part of the identity. This is especially true for the application essay section, which is where we get to the next point.

2. You Should Lie About Being LGBT for a Higher Acceptance Rate.

Please don’t do this.

There’s a moral reason you shouldn’t lie about being LGBT in your college essays which is obvious: it’s unethical to take space away from otherwise legitimately LGBT people.

But, there’s also a practical reason not to lie.

Let’s start with some terminology.

There are two classes the college admissions factors fall into: qualitative and quantitative.

Quantitative is, well, quantitative in that it involves numbers and metrics. So, your GPA and SAT/ACT score fall under this category.

Qualitative traits judge things outside of numbers. So, your personality, temperament, and fit in campus culture fall under this. Being LGBT falls under this too.

But, here’s the catch: colleges CAN’T judge your qualitative traits on just check boxes. The college essay is one of the only parts of the application process where students can have their qualitative traits properly assessed.

If you want your LGBT traits to truly be worth anything significant in the application process, you’ll most probably want to write an LGBT college essay.

Okay, let’s say you wanted to write your college essay about being gay. But, you’re lying and not actually gay. You’re just trying to do it for the brownie points.

Can you get away with it?

The likelihood you, as an outsider, can write about an oppressed minority group’s experiences in a way that is accurate, believable, and strong enough to convince admissions officers is slim to none.

In short, you shouldn’t lie on a college essay because it’s nearly impossible to articulate something you don’t know or haven’t lived through.

We’ve even seen people who are genuinely LGBT struggle with writing their college essays about being gay. And, that’s fair! It’s a hard subject full of nuance and difficulty. So, if you’re one of those who struggle to articulate their experience of being LGBT, consider speaking with a college admissions expert who can hold your hand throughout the process.

3. All College Essay Topics Regarding LGBT and Coming Out Experiences are Harder Than Other Topics.

There’s actually a bit of truth to this one.

Any college essay about being gay, lesbian, bi, trans, etc is often going to be more difficult to write than other topics. This is because the background, history, and experiences regarding LGBT topics are often nuanced, and complicated, and require a delicate hand in articulating.

Of course, this is not always the case. But, it’s safe to say writing a college essay about being gay despite living in a homophobic household is likely going to carry more nuances and challenges than a generic topic.

Now, that brings up another question…

Is it worth it to write a college essay about being LGBT? Or, is it better to write about a more safe topic to avoid the possibility of offending admissions officers?

There are a lot of factors that can come into play here.

For one, this depends on whether you’re going to be working with a professional college admissions advisor. And, even then, what their personal opinion on the matter is and how averse they are to risk.

Then, you’ve got time.

How much time do you have to write a college essay about being gay? Even if you have a super great experience to write about that would “wow” the admissions office, do you even have the time to conjure such essays before the deadline?

Are you going to be shotgunning to multiple schools?

Does your topic inexorably cover other details that you would prefer to keep private?

These are all just a few points to consider when you’re writing an LGBT college essay.

Nonetheless, there still is a general rule of thumb when it comes to whether writing about LGBT topics is really “worth it” or not in the grand scheme of things. We’ll get to this in the next section below.

4. My Counselors/Advisors/Teachers/Peers Recommended I Take a “Safe” Topic.

Long story short: yes. It’s worth it to write your college essay about being gay, LGBT, or other “risky” topics.

It’s quite common for college counselors, advisors, school teachers, and peers in class to recommend students take on a safe topic. In fact, even online communities like Reddit’s A2C sub and the popular College Confidential often have commenters and forum regulars who recommend students take on the safe route.

Although this is sound advice, we’ve found that “risky topics” usually work best in the long run for most students.

For starters, most students have enough time to brainstorm, draft, and revise a college essay about being gay far earlier than the deadline. So, this gives them enough time to conjure new ideas to experiment or revise their original content to make it stronger than the previous versions. This also gives them enough time to cover up some of their red flags or mishaps.

Other than the gratuitous amount of time students have before their admissions deadlines, the advantage of a “risky topic” in a college essay is just how easy it is to have a unique topic that stands out from the rest.

We find that students who write their college essays about being gay or any other LGBT topics have an easier time finding a large pool of topics to address. With such a nuanced topic complete with the utility to pivot, it’s much easier to show parts of your personality and character that other topics often can’t cover as well.

So, although writing your college essay about being gay or LGBT may be harder than talking about more generic and safe topics, the yields are ultimately much better in the long run.

If you have any other questions about LGBT essays or are looking to receive help on writing your college essay about being gay, don’t hesitate to speak with us. Schedule a free consultation with one of our college essay experts , and we will get back to you within 24 hours. We’ll help you craft a solid essay that expertly weaves in the right words that will maximize your chances of acceptance into some of the most prestigious universities in the nation including all those in the UC and IVY system.

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'We're not hiding': Gay and lesbian Russians say a cultural shift is underway

When Lisa Androshina threw her first lesbian party in Moscow in 2017, she had low expectations. 

“We wanted to just gather with our friends and just listen to cool music,” Androshina, 34, told NBC News. “We didn’t plan to do anything serious.” 

She booked a bar that she said was often empty and invited her friends and some DJs. After a few parties, her event, called LVBZ, grew in popularity.

Androshina, who lives in Moscow, said about 500 people now attend the quarterly LVBZ nighttime dance, which features DJs from around the world. 

Despite the government’s anti-gay restrictions and the country’s conservative views on LGBTQ issues, some lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Russians, like Androshina, are publicly sharing their identities and forming community, particularly in the country’s largest cities. This has spawned a cultural shift, albeit a small and partially underground one. 

“We’re not hiding,” Androshina said. “We’re openly speaking about who we are now.” 

‘Tired of being targeted’

In 2013, Russia passed a law that bans distributing information on LGBTQ issues and relationships to minors. Known as the “ gay propaganda law ,” the legislation states that any act or event that authorities deem to promote homosexuality to those under 18 is a finable offense. 

The legislation has had a far more sinister impact than just a financial one: After it passed, anti-LGBTQ violence in the country increased, according to a 2018 report from the international rights group Human Rights Watch . A 2019 poll from the Russian LGBT Network, a Russian queer advocacy group, found 56 percent of LGBTQ respondents reported experiencing psychological abuse, and disturbing reports have emerged in recent years of the state-sanctioned detention and torture of gay and bisexual men in Chechnya, a semiautonomous Russian region. Just last year, a survey found that nearly 1 in 5 Russians reported wanting to “eliminate” gay and lesbian people from society .

“I don’t think Russian society is homophobic on its own,” Svetlana Zakharova, a boardmember of the St.  Petersburg-based Russian LGBT Network, said. “The law’s inspiring homophobic hatred.” 

Zakharova said younger residents are less trusting of the Russian government and are more accepting of LGBTQ people. She said that despite the “gay propaganda law,” more people from across the country are attending public, LGBTQ-focused events.   

“Many people are tired of being targeted constantly, and they want to change something,” she said. 

Creating ‘beautiful things’ amid fear

News articles, TV segments and documentary films about LGBTQ life in Russia tend to chronicle the challenging, and at times violent, experiences of the queer people that live there. This media narrative, even if accurate, contributes to the difficulty of being LGBTQ in Russia, according to Nikita Andriyanov, who lives in Moscow and co-hosts a podcast, roughly translated in English as “wide open,” about LGBTQ life and culture in Russia. 

“It is not easy, and it’s not fun to be a gay person here,” he said. 

Andriyanov, however, is among those trying to change the narrative. He said smaller media outlets, like his own, are helping to shape Russia’s emerging LGBTQ community. To avoid fines from the “gay propaganda law,” he said he adds a disclaimer to his podcast stating that it is for people over 18. And if the government were to fine him, despite the disclaimer, he said, people in the LGBTQ community would help support him.  

“Once you are ready to accept the fact [that you are LGBTQ] and try to fight it, you become an activist,” Andriyanov said. “[There’s] that extra responsibility.”

Sasha Kazantseva, a 34-year-old lesbian living in Saint Petersburg, is also trying to change the narrative and help build community through media. In 2018, she created a digital magazine about queer Russian culture called O-Zine . She said she wanted to publish the magazine, in part, to counter the news coverage focused on the difficulty of being gay in Russia. The publication features queer art and culture stories, as well as positive articles about people in the community. She said she hopes O-Zine helps empower LGBTQ Russians to feel proud of their identities. 

“When you’re a queer person and you live in a very homophobic country,” she said, “it makes it rather hard to just feel connection to other people.” 

She’s trying to change that — and she said O-Zine has helped to document the progress that has been made so far. When the publication first launched, Kazantseva said, finding openly LGBTQ people to feature was difficult. Now, she added, Russians living in larger cities are open, and at times eager, to share their stories.

“Paradoxically [the gay propaganda law] helps the process of self-reflection of who we are, how we live as a community, how we can feel proud of who we are,” Kazantseva said. 

She said both a drive to fight governmental restrictions and access to social media has slowly fortified the community over the past several years. 

Despite collaborating with high-profile Russian creators and celebrities, O-Zine has not been fined under the country’s propaganda law. The magazine has avoided issues because it is independent and not an official media organization, according to Kazantseva. 

“When you live under this risk daily, you start to just not care,” said Kazantseva, who like Zakharova said the younger generation is more progressive and open. “We can be arrested the next day, but let’s do what we want to do, and let’s create beautiful things.” 

She did, however, note that the situation is drastically different in smaller Russian towns, where she said it’s nearly impossible — if not deadly — for queer people to form community. 

“In Moscow and in St. Petersburg, big cities, it’s possible for us to have friendly spaces,” Kazantseva said. “For smaller cities [in] Russia, it’s nearly impossible, because people know each other, and people are less tolerant.” 

Andriyanov, who moved from the vast province of Siberia to Moscow after college, agreed.

“It is not really that dangerous for me to be openly gay as it would have been if I grew up, if I stayed in [Siberia],” Andriyanov said. “I don’t think it would have been possible for me to reach that level of openness about my identity.”  

He said living in a large city has helped him to accept his sexuality, and added that he would likely be in danger if he stayed in his hometown and lived openly as a gay man. 

Creative ‘freedom’

A few films in Russian cinema are also reflecting the shift. The 2019 film “Beanpole” is a drama about a romance between two women in the former Leningrad that is set during World War II. Another 2019 film titled “Outlaw” is widely regarded as the first Russian film to feature a transgender character. “Outlaw” weaves the story of a gay teenager in modern-day Moscow and a transgender dancer in 1980s Soviet Union. 

“‘Outlaw’ is about the impossible, about freedom — internal and external,” Ksenia Ratushnaya, the film’s director and screenwriter, said. 

Ratushnaya, who lives in Moscow, said she thought the propaganda law would prevent her from screening “Outlaw” in Russia. She was nonetheless able to secure a governmental certificate to show the film in theaters, with the proviso that she edit out curse words and a few seconds of a sex scene involving a priest. That scene was flagged by government censors as breaking another law prohibiting offense against religious people.  

Even though Ratushnaya was able to produce and release a film that featured LGBTQ characters without facing legal challenges, she said her film was not shown widely in Russia. Just 10 theaters agreed to screen it to the public, far fewer than most films, according to Ratushnaya. She said she believes many theater operators were simply too afraid to show it. 

“I want people to have access to any information that they want,” said Ratushnaya, who added that it’s a battle to navigate the laws and create art. “Freedom, for me, is extremely important.” 

‘You can move slowly to the light’

Androshina said the cultural shift she has observed, including the success of her lesbian party, has made her hopeful for the future. Currently, however, she’s not without concerns, ranging from her inability to marry or adopt children to fear for her physical safety as an out lesbian.

She also noted that because her party, LVBZ, is for people over 21, the event should be legal but added that the propaganda law and its application is not entirely clear to her. She said she is constantly balancing potential threats, including legal ones, and her dedication to creating an open and celebratory space for LGBTQ Russians. But despite all the challenges, she stressed that her experience as an out person in Russia may surprise some inside and outside her country. 

“People think that it's too bad, and [we all] really have to hide without doing anything. That's not true,” she said. “We’re actually moving in a good direction.” 

“You may have some fears,” she added, about being openly LGBTQ in Russia. “At the same time, there is a tunnel. You can move slowly to the light; you can make an impact.”

Follow  NBC Out  on  Twitter ,  Facebook  &  Instagram

Elizabeth Kuhr is an NBC News producer based in London. 

George Itzhak is a Digital Associate Producer at "Nightly News with Lester Holt"

Russian Activists Just Won an Important Battle Over LGBTQ Rights. But the War Is Far From Over

T here aren’t many people like Yulia Tsvetkova in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The Russian city is 5,000 miles and seven time zones east of the capital, Moscow, and for half the year, it is under snow or ice. It’s known more for shipbuilding and aircraft manufacturing than LGBTQ rights and feminist activism — but that hasn’t stopped Tsvetkova forging a reputation in both. “There are practically no activists here, most of them try to leave,” she says, over a phone call. “But there’s still a lot I can do.”

In the past three years, the 27-year-old has headed a youth theatre, where she created plays that explored gender stereotypes, run online groups on feminism and sex education, and published drawings that she says promote LGBTQ and women’s rights on social media. Her activism has made her a target for the authorities. In July, about a week after the Kremlin pushed through constitutional amendments that include defining marriage as a union between a man and woman, Tsvetkova was fined for a second time under the country’s notorious “gay propaganda” law and forced to pay 75,000 Rubles ($1000) over her colorful illustrations of same-sex couples and their young children.

Tsvetkova is now facing charges of “spreading pornography” for a Vagina Monologues page she published on social media last November, which features illustrations of vaginas, aimed at breaking the stigma around women’s bodies. “I laughed, my lawyer laughed, my friends laughed. Anyone can see that this isn’t pornography,” she says. Yet she spent four months under house arrest and prosecutors are relentlessly trying to build a case against her. If she is found guilty, as 99% of those prosecuted in Russia’s criminal courts are, she could be sent to jail for up to six years. Tsvetkova has become a symbol of the resistance against Russia’s enforcement of “traditional values” and despite the Kremlin’s attempt to stigmatize her activism, she has received unprecedented support from celebrities, artists and journalists across Russia and beyond.

The defiance of Tsvetkova and many other LGBTQ activists in Russia may finally be paying off. Two weeks after the constitution was changed, the government proposed a bill to ban same-sex marriage and end the legal recognition of transgender people. Many activists had expected the landmark bill, co-authored by conservative lawmaker Elena Mizulina, to pass in the fall. But on Nov. 16 parliament revoked the bill for revision and it could now be scrapped altogether.

Svetlana Zakharova, a spokesperson at the Russian LGBT Network in St. Peterburg says she can’t say for sure why the law was repealed, but emphasizes that the LGBTQ community and its allies in Russia managed to unite to resist the legislation “more than ever before”. “Our activities, together, helped to dismiss the bill,” she says. Mizulina lost support because of the “tremendous level of public outrage about the bill’s homophobia and transphobia,” Jonny Dzhibladze, a coordinator at Vykhod (“Coming Out”), a St.Petersburg based LGBT rights group, says. “It looks like we can breathe freely for some time,” he says.

But a battle won does not mean the war is over. The climate for LGBTQ people in Russia is still extremely hostile. According to a 2019 report by the Russian LGBT Network, 12% of LGBT people surveyed reported being subject to physical attacks, and 56%, psychological abuse. LGBTQ activists have been arrested, attacked and killed . “If you live your life quietly and you do not make demands from the government, you do not express yourself publicly as an LGBT person, the government is not going to go after you,” says Tanya Lokshina, associate director for Human Rights Watch’s Europe and Central Asia division. The repeal of the bill is unlikely to change that situation. “It’s not as if everything was fine before the bill, and if it passed, everything would be bad,” says Tsvetkova. But it does seem like “we’re in a moment of transition between accepting what’s around us and challenging it,” she says.

My Davidson | A Student Blog Student-to-Student: Advice from Davidson College Students on the College Essay

Current Davidson College students share their tips and tricks for navigating and writing the college essay.

About the Authors

This piece was written by Senior Fellows in Davidson College's Office of Admission & Financial Aid; Zaynab Abuhakema ’24, Nathanael Bagonza ’24, Chloe Boissy Stauffer ’24, Kelsey Chase ’24, Amanda Fuenzalida ’24, Olivia Howard ’24 (she/her), Ann Nishida ’24, Lilly Sirover ’24, Samuel Waithira ’24 and Ruby Zhou ’24. 

Learn more about them below.

Zaynab Abuhakema ’24 (she/her) is a physics major and theatre minor from Summerville, South Carolina.

“Just be honest! We want to know more about YOU and why you can see yourself at Davidson. Tell us about your passions in the way that makes the most sense to you. Have someone read over it if you want, but don’t worry too much about the technical part. Just show us who you are the best way you can on a page.”

Nathanael Bagonza ’24 (he/him) is an English major from Haverhill, Massachusetts.

“Don’t worry about if your writing is ‘great’ or not; rather, be intentional in ensuring that your essays demonstrate who you are and what you are passionate about! I ended up becoming an English major writing a collection of essays for my senior honors thesis, but what made my application essays work from day one was telling stories that really spoke to my true, authentic self.”

Chloe Boissy Stauffer ’24 (she/her) is an environmental studies and political science double major from Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.

“A couple pages of writing will never capture your whole story- admissions counselors understand this. In order to communicate an accurate snapshot of who you are, try thinking of one hobby, one accomplishment, or one interaction that you think best reflects your overall skill set and worldview. By using one or two examples to ‘anchor’ your story, you can frame your personality, backstory and values. Whatever you write, make sure it’s authentic to who you are because that’s who we want to get to know.”

Kelsey Chase ’24 (she/her) is a political science major from Concord, New Hampshire.

“I read a lot of Common App essays during my college process, not because I wanted to study them or compare them to my own, but because I genuinely thought they were fascinating to read. This helped me realize that it’s helpful to think about writing the essays for a peer rather than an admissions officer. Don’t worry about what you think the admissions officers want to hear; rather, write an essay that you think would help potential friends understand you at your core. I would also advise against your parents or adults taking too much editorial control over your essay — you want your essay to sound like you, which is someone who’s 17 or 18 years old, not a professional. It can definitely be helpful to have someone read over it just to catch grammar mistakes or awkward phrasing, but what matters most is that you feel like it really conveys something important about who you are.”

Amanda Fuenzalida ’24 (she/her) is a biology major from Naples, Florida and Santiago, Chile.

“When I think about the personal essay, I always think about growth, because that is what life is, a continuous growing process. And at 17–18 years, you do not have to have everything figured out or have decided what you want to for the rest of your life. But what you can do well is reflect on the experiences that have made you the person you are at this very moment. And thinking about this personal statement, I would think maybe what are key major parts of my life that have shaped me to be who I am, that make you proud of yourself. Reading back your essay, you should feel that sense of pride, that this essay reflects the person you (not anyone else) are proud you have become.”

Olivia Howard ’24 (she/her) is a biology and German Studies double major from Dacula, Georgia.

“I do not consider writing to be my strong suit, and I remember the dread and fear I had when I was writing my college essays. Essays are intimidating, and you might feel lost trying to fit your story into the limits that are set. My advice to you is to be patient with yourself and allow who you are to come through on the page. Do not over stress about having the most complex grammar and sentence structure, but rather focus on writing what matters to you. It is okay to not be an award-winning writer who uses metaphors and various literary devices. A lot of times it is better to tell your story in a simple way rather than using flowery language and fluff that does not get your point across.”

Ann Nishida ’24 (she/her) is a biology major and music minor from Ridgewood, New Jersey.

“The focus is on you . The essay portion is a chance for the admission counselors to see a side of you that a transcript or test score won’t fully represent. A good starting point in discovering your unique qualities may be to ask yourself Why ? Why am I passionate about certain activities, why do I interact with my environment in a certain way, why do I want to go to Davidson, etc. Good luck!”

Lilly Sirover ’24 (she/her) is a biology major and public health minor on the premedicine track from Haddonfield, New Jersey.

“As someone who prefers speaking over writing, I highly recommend using a voice recording app to talk through your essay ideas as you begin the writing process. Talking through your unique strengths, challenges you have navigated, a personal experience that changed your perspective, a topic that you are endlessly curious about, or something else personal to you allows your story to develop naturally.”

Samuel Waithira ’24 (he/him) is an economics major and applied mathematics minor from Nairobi, Kenya.

“Be genuine with every aspect of your application. Do not try to mold your application into what you believe the college wants. When you present your true self, you build trust with the admissions team, showing that you have confidence in who you are. Remember that each applicant is unique, and colleges are often looking for a diverse student body. By being genuine, you can showcase your individuality and the qualities that set you apart from other applicants.”

Ruby Zhou ’24 (she/her) is an English major on the predental track from Houston, Texas.

“Start writing. I have a tendency to procrastinate whenever I have a daunting task looming over me, and I just need to start writing or I’ll never get it done. The writing might sound horrible and you might feel embarrassed, but if you think about it, the earlier you start, the more time you have to change “bad” writing to something beautiful.”

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Check out more student-written blog posts like this one at My Davidson, Davidson College's blog for students, by students.

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• November 2, 2023

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Yes, ChatGPT can help with your college admissions essay. Here's what you need to do to stay within the rules.

• Students who use tools like ChatGPT to write their college essays need to walk a fine line.
• Colleges will likely penalize students who submit completely AI-generated applications.
• Using AI to edit or draft the essays may be acceptable though, a tutoring company founder says.

The education sector has had a rough ride with generative AI.

After the release of ChatGPT, some colleges and schools were quick to put a blanket ban on the bot when students began using it to write their essays. Professors and teachers were left with the difficult task of navigating the new concept of AI plagiarism.

Now, several colleges have changed their tune and are encouraging students and staff to use generative AI as a tool — as long as they don't use it to cheat. However, the guidance is still pretty vague, especially when it comes to admissions and college essays.

"The landscape is shifting, but colleges are not unified in their approach to GPT," Adam Nguyen, founder of tutoring company Ivy Link , told Insider. "If you look across the landscape of college admissions, especially elite college admissions, there are no clear rules on whether you could use GPT or not."

In February, I tested the chatbot's ability to write college application essays . The results were relatively successful , with two private admissions tutors agreeing the essays definitely passed for ones written by a real student and probably would have had a shot at most colleges, but probably not the most selective institutions.

There are telltale signs when an entire essay is AI-generated, Nguyen said. For example, there tends to be a lot of repetition, and the essays are generally mediocre.

"If an essay is clearly written by AI, I think they will penalize the student and that application," Nguyen said.

While it's clear students should be writing their own work, it's less clear if students are allowed to use the tech to help them draft or edit essays.

As colleges grudgingly accept that AI is not going anyway, Nguyen said there's a fine line for students to walk.

"If you fill in the details, restructure the essay, and provide the specific language and sentences, that will make the essay your own," he said. "I think many colleges would be fine with that."

He continued, "I would suggest not using it as a default. If you're really stuck, you could use it to start." He suggested that, as a general rule, at least 80% of the essays needed to be edited and changed to be on the safe side.

"If an essay's really good, it won't raise any suspicion, and I don't think most colleges will care that you use GPT to start, as long as they can't tell either," he added.

Watch: What is ChatGPT, and should we be afraid of AI chatbots?

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Comment: In Poland, the home of ‘LGBT-free zones’, there is hope at last for the queer community

1 November 2023

Writing in The Guardian, Dr Roch Dunin-Wasowicz (IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education & Society) believes that now the former ruling party of Poland that targeted and scapegoated the country's LGBTQ+ community is out of power, equality is within reach.

• Article in  The Guardian
• Dr Roch Dunin-Wasowicz's academic profile
• IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society
• UCL Social Research Institute

McLeod Writing Prize winners named

The College Writing Program in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis celebrated the winners of this year’s Dean James E. McLeod First-Year Writing Prize in September and marked the prize’s 10 th anniversary.

Created in 2013, the prize encourages first-year students to engage in research early in their academic careers while also recognizing the importance of exploring aspects of identity, gender or race. It is named after McLeod, who was a longtime leader at WashU, serving as vice chancellor for students and dean of Arts & Sciences before his death in 2011.

Nina Todreas, a sophomore majoring in psychology in Arts & Sciences, won a first prize for her paper on body positivity on TikTok. Rosy Almazan, a student at the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts, also won first prize for her paper on the coerced sterilization of Mexican-origin women. The runners-up included Amelia Wang, in Arts & Sciences, and Christine Jung, at the Sam Fox School. Students receiving honorable mentions are Dorian Marr and Isatou Sey.

Learn more on the Arts & Sciences webpage.

Comments and respectful dialogue are encouraged, but content will be moderated. Please, no personal attacks, obscenity or profanity, selling of commercial products, or endorsements of political candidates or positions. We reserve the right to remove any inappropriate comments. We also cannot address individual medical concerns or provide medical advice in this forum.

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Guest Essay

What Is Happening on College Campuses Is Not Free Speech

By Gabriel Diamond ,  Talia Dror and Jillian Lederman

Mr. Diamond is a senior at Yale University. Ms. Dror is a junior at Cornell University. Ms. Lederman is a senior at Brown University.

Since the Hamas terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, campus life in the United States has imploded into a daily trial of intimidation and insult for Jewish students. A hostile environment that began with statements from pro-Palestinian student organizations justifying terrorism has now rapidly spiraled into death threats and physical attacks, leaving Jewish students alarmed and vulnerable.

On an online discussion forum last weekend, Jewish students at Cornell were called “excrement on the face of the earth,” threatened with rape and beheading and bombarded with demands like “eliminate Jewish living from Cornell campus.” (A 21-year-old junior at Cornell has been charged with posting violent threats.) This horror must end.

Free speech, open debate and heterodox views lie at the core of academic life. They are fundamental to educating future leaders to think and act morally. The reality on some college campuses today is the opposite: open intimidation of Jewish students. Mob harassment must not be confused with free speech.

Universities need to get back to first principles and understand that they have the rules on hand to end intimidation of Jewish students. We need to hold professors and students to a higher standard.

The targeting of Jewish students didn’t stop at Cornell: Jewish students at Cooper Union huddled in the library to escape an angry crowd pounding on the doors; a protester at a rally near New York University carried a sign calling for the world to be kept “clean” of Jews; messages like “glory to our martyrs” were projected onto a George Washington University building.

This most recent wave of hate began with prejudiced comments obscured by seemingly righteous language. Following the Oct. 7 attacks, more than 30 student groups at Harvard signed on to a statement that read, “We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence.” There was no mention of Hamas. The university issued such a tepid response , it almost felt like an invitation.

Days later, at a pro-Palestinian rally, the Cornell associate professor Russell Rickford said he was “exhilarated” by Hamas’s terrorist attack. (He later apologized and was granted a leave of absence.) In an article, a Columbia professor, Joseph Massad, seemed to relish the “awesome” scenes of “Palestinian resistance fighters” storming into Israel. Most recently, over 100 Columbia and Barnard professors signed a letter defending students who blamed Israel for Hamas’s attacks. To the best of our knowledge, none of these professors have received meaningful discipline, much less dismissal. Another green light.

Over these last few weeks, dozens of anti-Israel protests have been hosted on or near college campuses. Many of these demonstrations had threatening features: Masked students have chanted slogans such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which many view as a call for the destruction of Israel. Others have shouted, “There is only one solution, intifada revolution.” The word “intifada” has a gruesome history: During the Aqsa intifada of the early 2000s, hundreds of Israeli civilians were killed in attacks .

On at least one occasion, these student protests have even interrupted candlelight vigils for the victims of Oct. 7. And they haven’t been condemned by the leadership at enough universities. In recent days, some universities, including Cornell, have released statements denouncing antisemitism on campus. Harvard also announced the creation of an advisory group to combat antisemitism.

The terms “Zionist” and “colonizer” have evolved into epithets used against Jewish students like us. These labels have been spit at some of us and our friends in dining halls, dorm common rooms, outside classes and at parties.

Failure by any university to affirm that taunts and intimidation have no place on campus legitimizes more violent behaviors. We are seeing it play out before our eyes.

At Columbia, an Israeli student was physically assaulted on campus. Near Tulane, a Jewish student’s head was bashed with the pole of a Palestinian flag after he attempted to stop protesters from burning an Israeli flag. And students at Cornell live in fear that their peers will actualize antisemitic threats.

All students have sacred rights to hold events, teach-ins and protests. And university faculty members must present arguments that make students uncomfortable. University campuses are unique hubs of intellectual discovery and debate, designed to teach students how to act within a free society. But free inquiry is not possible in an environment of intimidation. Harassment and intimidation fly in the face of the purpose of a university.

The codes of ethics of universities across the country condemn intimidation and hold students and faculty to standards of dignity and respect for others. Campuses are at a crossroads: The leadership can either enforce these ethics or these places of learning will succumb to mob rule by their most radical voices, risking the continuation of actual violence.

Simply affirming that taunts and intimidation have no place on campus isn’t enough. Professors violating these rules should be disciplined or dismissed. Student groups that incite or justify violence should not be given university funds to conduct activity on campus.

Furthermore, in line with anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies, established university initiatives that protect minority groups must also include Jews. Universities should adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, as a mechanism for properly identifying and eliminating anti-Jewish hate.

No students should be subject to discrimination, let alone outright threats and hostility, on the basis of their identity. This standard must be applied to Jewish students, too.

Finally, it is vital that individual campus community members — students, professors, alumni, staff members and parents — act against intimidation and incivility. Stand with your Jewish friends at peaceful assemblies. Call on universities via letters and petitions to restore civility on campus.

Although one may think antisemitism has an impact only on Jews, history shows it poisons society at large. Universities have a moral responsibility to counter hateful violence in all its forms. When they fail to do so, they fail us all.

Gabriel Diamond is a senior at Yale University studying political science. Talia Dror is a junior at Cornell University studying industrial and labor relations and business. Jillian Lederman is a senior at Brown University studying political science and economics.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

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