The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community makes up a big part of the nation we live in. This particular group of people has faced many prejudicial difficulties throughout history, specifically speaking, the history of New York City. Members of the LGBT community were not typically socially accepted by most individuals. Many individuals felt that they were too different from society’s norms which resulted in their targeted discrimination. A lot of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people were closeted and afraid to come out. The term closeted refers to individuals who hid from others that they were, in fact, part of the LGBT community. They were afraid to come out because of their fear of the discrimination and hardships
…show more content…
The epidemic began in the 1980s. No one knew what it was, not even the doctors. Homosexual men seemed to be the only ones that had the mysterious sickness. Homosexual men began to fall ill all throughout the city. The number of cases rose fast and in enormous amounts. This sickness was fatal. Majority of those who acquired the illness payed the ultimate price: death. Over the years this plague only became more drastic, fatalities and number of cases rapidly rising. There was no research being performed by government or medical officials. This is due to the ignorance of the government authorities and medical professionals. This is where the most discrimination against homosexuals took place. Doctors were refusing to provide treatment to people with this mysterious illness, now commonly referred to at this time as Gay Cancer, before and after death. This means that while patients were sick, but still alive, they could not get help from medical professionals. They did not want to deal with a patient who sick with this disease that apparently only homosexuals could get. After lack of treatment led to death, doctors and staff in the hospitals wouldn’t even properly discard the body “… the undertakers wouldn’t take him away, and neither would the police. Finally, some orderly comes in and stuffs Albert in a heavy-duty Glad bag… and he puts him out in the back alley with the garbage” (Kramer 104). …show more content…
Another important event in which the LGBT community was targeted was The Stonewall Riots. To show how extreme the discrimination was against homosexuals was, there was a law that makes it illegal to serve homosexuals in bars. In order to determine if someone was gay they would check to see if the person was wearing at least one item that belonged to the opposite sex. Cops often raided bars around the city to check for this illegal activity. The Stonewall In was a bar that served everyone and was raided quite often. The Stonewall Riots was a raid that went wrong. That night, those patrons refused to succumb to the discriminating police. The police proceeded to raid the bar and the patrons fought back. While the few cops that were there tried to arrest whoever was at the bar, people gathered outside and soon a mass crowd had formed. A riot had ensued and the people were trying to destroy and turn over the patrol cars and wagons. The few officers that had been there barricaded themselves inside to be safe. The Tactical Police Force soon came and helped the officers get out safely and control the crazy crowd. This hectic event is remembered for the LGBT community coming together and standing up for themselves and their right to be treated fairly. The Stonewall Inn still stands today and is where
The epidemic began in the 1980s. No one knew what it was, not even the doctors. Homosexual men seemed to be the only ones that had the mysterious sickness. Homosexual men began to fall ill all throughout the city. The number of cases rose fast and in enormous amounts. This sickness was fatal. Majority of those who acquired the illness payed the ultimate price: death. Over the years this plague only became more drastic, fatalities and number of cases rapidly rising. There was no research being performed by government or medical officials. This is due to the ignorance of the government authorities and medical professionals. This is where the most discrimination against homosexuals took place. Doctors were refusing to provide treatment to people with this mysterious illness, now commonly referred to at this time as Gay Cancer, before and after death. This means that while patients were sick, but still alive, they could not get help from medical professionals. They did not want to deal with a patient who sick with this disease that apparently only homosexuals could get. After lack of treatment led to death, doctors and staff in the hospitals wouldn’t even properly discard the body “… the undertakers wouldn’t take him away, and neither would the police. Finally, some orderly comes in and stuffs Albert in a heavy-duty Glad bag… and he puts him out in the back alley with the garbage” (Kramer 104). …show more content…
Another important event in which the LGBT community was targeted was The Stonewall Riots. To show how extreme the discrimination was against homosexuals was, there was a law that makes it illegal to serve homosexuals in bars. In order to determine if someone was gay they would check to see if the person was wearing at least one item that belonged to the opposite sex. Cops often raided bars around the city to check for this illegal activity. The Stonewall In was a bar that served everyone and was raided quite often. The Stonewall Riots was a raid that went wrong. That night, those patrons refused to succumb to the discriminating police. The police proceeded to raid the bar and the patrons fought back. While the few cops that were there tried to arrest whoever was at the bar, people gathered outside and soon a mass crowd had formed. A riot had ensued and the people were trying to destroy and turn over the patrol cars and wagons. The few officers that had been there barricaded themselves inside to be safe. The Tactical Police Force soon came and helped the officers get out safely and control the crazy crowd. This hectic event is remembered for the LGBT community coming together and standing up for themselves and their right to be treated fairly. The Stonewall Inn still stands today and is where