Homosexuality is highly stigmatized because society has always viewed it as a deviant act. During the early 1950s, with no supporting evidence, the American Psychological Association (APA) had classified homosexuality as a mental illness. This classification was due to biased information deriving from religious beliefs, mental health professionals, and social attitudes. Others viewed it as a personal choice that could be cured through extensive conversion therapy. About a decade later, psychologist Karen Hooker conducted a study to see if there was any correlation between homosexuality and psychological development and illness. The results of Hooker’s study provided evidence supporting the fact that there is no difference in the mental capabilities of homosexuals and heterosexuals. Soon after her study was published, the APA removed homosexuality from the mental illness category. Even with the negative label detached from it, homosexuality is still stigmatized because some members of society see it as unnatural and immoral. With more exposure through social movements and media, society has learned to adapt to the acceptance and tolerance of the LGBT community.
Before the emergence of LGBT social movements and scientific research providing evidence that homosexuality was not a mental illness, it was rarely openly expressed. Homosexuality had to be hidden from society because there was a lot of hostility from those who opposed it. Their hostility toward homosexuals was shown through vandalism, verbal abuse, and sometimes even violence. Some instances even include criminalization. Many gay activists have made efforts to protect the LGBT community. Harvey Milk, an openly gay congressman from San Francisco, was killed because of his sexuality. This sparked outrage in the gay community, inspiring them to come together for a vigil in his honor. The amount of people that showed up in support for Milk was surprising. The societal views on the acceptance of homosexuality slowly started to change after Milk. Anti-discrimination laws were passed to give homosexuals an equal opportunity in the work field. More laws, such as anti-crime laws, were passed to protect the gay community as time progressed.
The media has played a big role in showing the normality of the LGBT community. The L Word, a series on Showtime, was based on a group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender friends. Six main characters, primarily lesbian, portrayed how they lived their lives, their careers, and romantic relationships. With the LGBT community already being seen as radical, this series shows that we’re really not as different as people think. Bett and Tina have been in a monogamous relationship for seven years and are planning on starting a family. Alice, a bisexual, is a blogger who jumps from relationship to relationship with men and women trying to find the perfect one. Dana, a closeted lesbian, is a famous tennis star that fears that coming out will ruin her career. Shane, a bonafide lesbian, is considered to be a “woman’s woman” and can never be in a committed relationship with just one person. Jenny, straight woman turned lesbian, is a writer whose book is turned into a movie that is supposed to be a blockbuster hit. These characters define a point that Judith Butler tries to get across by stating, “It is important to recognize the ways that heterosexual norms reappear within gay identities, to affirm that gay and lesbian identities are not only structured in part by dominant heterosexual frames, but they are not for that reason determined by them (724).” Therefore, the LGBT lifestyle should not be criticized against because there is no actual evidence that proves a difference from the heterosexual lifestyle.
As society becomes more exposed to the LGBT lifestyle, even though it is still considered radical, it becomes more and more accepted. People do not feel as pressured to hide their sexuality. This acceptance has stemmed from various movements and exposure through media.
