Strategies for reducing prejudice and discrimination against non-heterosexual individuals
One of the most effective ways of reducing prejudice and discrimination against non-heterosexual individuals is the development of strict policies to protect the victims. Society has demonstrated hostility to groups of people who portray sexual behaviors that are considered to be out of the norm, and the lack of laws to protect the victim’s fuels the prejudice and discrimination.
The authorities have already developed laws that categorize discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation as hate crimes, but the implementation of these laws is yet to obtain the required efficiency. The authorities should create a campaign to develop comprehensive policies that offer equal rights to non-heterosexual individuals in society. Legalizing non-heterosexual marriage in society should eliminate prejudice. For instance, policies should target employer discrimination against non-heterosexual individuals.
Secondly, developing a campaign to educate the members of the society and compel them to accept the non-heterosexual individuals would also eliminate the prejudice and discrimination subjected to the victims. Just like the feminist movement has fought for equal rights over the past century, non-heterosexual individuals should develop a campaign to fight for their rights. Engaging in advocacy on the part of the public would hasten the elimination of prejudice and discrimination of non-heterosexual individuals.
The third approach toward eliminating prejudice and discrimination against non-heterosexual individuals would be pursuing the support of the human rights treaty bodies and other humanitarian organizations across the world. The issue of discrimination is a global problem that can be eliminated if the international community takes an active role in influencing different societies to grant the discrimination victims equal rights. The international community should offer protection to the victims of prejudice and discrimination on the grounds of their sexual orientation.
Should non-heterosexual marriages be legalized?
Non-heterosexual marriages should be legalized. The legalization of non-heterosexual marriages would be the first step toward developing a society that embraces the presence of people with sexual orientations that are considered to be abnormal. It is apparent that the prejudice and discrimination subjected to non-heterosexual individuals are fueled by the lack of legalization of this sexual orientation. Legalizing non-heterosexual marriages would influence the authorities to develop policies to protect non-heterosexual individuals.
Legalizing non-heterosexual marriages would demonstrate the commitment of the government to repeal the laws that have traditionally criminalized non-heterosexual activities in society. The repeal of these laws would compel the members of the society to treat non-heterosexual individuals fairly. Legalizing non-heterosexual marriages would also strengthen the campaign against prejudice and discrimination.
It is the obligation of the authorities to protect the rights of every individual in society regardless of his or her sexual orientation. This requirement should compel people in power to ensure those non-heterosexual marriages are legalized. Most non-heterosexual individuals have no control over their sexual preferences, and this should never be a reason for society to rebuke their existence. Denying human rights to non-heterosexual individuals is dehumanizing them.
Human rights are meant for everyone, and non-heterosexual individuals are human by all standards. Most of the individuals have lived their entire lives with stress and fear of letting society know about their sexual orientation. Society should bring an end to the stereotypical ideas associated with non-heterosexual individuals. Non-heterosexual marriages should be legalized, and the entire society should support and protect this group of minorities. Every member of society should be actively involved in fighting for the rights of the non-heterosexual members of society.