RuneScape Forum Archive

Apr

2017

Chief Elf

Posts: 5,115 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

In recent years, the outlook for LGBTI individuals has improved rapidly in many countries. However, the struggle for equality, love and acceptance is still very much alive and prevalent today. Around the world, LGBTI individuals are victims of gross human rights violations.

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Purpose of this Thread

• For forum users to share their personal stories (in dealing with sexual orientation or knowing/supporting someone of another sexual orientation)

• To discuss politics associated with the LGBTI community.

• To destigmatize the LGBTI community.

• To raise awareness of the human rights violations against LGBTI persons.

• To just show your support for the LGBTI community!

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Rules

I welcome political discussions on my thread, but please remain civil. Avoid ad hominems, and present your arguments respectfully. You may discuss LGBT representation in Runescape (initially had a thread on that, but I decided to lock it for several reasons) or in media/gaming in general. Most importantly, be open-minded.

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Mental Health
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Mod Meadows

20-May-2017 05:44:17 - Last edited on 21-May-2017 14:00:19 by Chief Elf

Apr

2017

Chief Elf

Posts: 5,115 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

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Table of Contents

1.0 ... Introduction
1.1 ... Table of Contents
1.2 ... Discussion
1.3 ... Sexual Orientation Definitions
1.4 ... Sexual Orientation Definitions
1.5 ... Marginalisation
1.6 ... Impacts of Marginalisation
1.7 ... Impacts of Familial Conflicts
1.8 ... Homelessness
1.9 ... Homophobia
2.0 ... Safety & Violence
2.1 ... Human Rights At Stake
2.2 ... Human Rights At Stake
2.3 ... List of Countries Where Homosexuality is Illegal
2.4 ... List of Countries Where Gay Marriage is Legal
2.5 ... List of Countries Where Same-Sex Couple Adoption is Legal
2.6 ... List of Countries With Anti-Discrimination Laws
2.7 ... List of Countries That Allow Openly LGBT Military Service
2.8 ... List of Countries That Disallow Blood Donations of MSM
2.9 ... List of Countries That Have Banned Conversion Therapy
3.0 ... History of LGBT Milestones

For Part 2 of the Table of Contents, please click here !

Mental Health
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Sweaty Fingers
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Mod Meadows

20-May-2017 05:45:08 - Last edited on 01-Jun-2017 03:28:42 by Chief Elf

Apr

2017

Chief Elf

Posts: 5,115 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

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Discussion

Here are some questions to facilitate discussion. You don't have to answer all of them, but I'm interested to know your thoughts on anything related to LGBT. Of course, you can add your own points of discussion.

• Share your experiences dealing with, encountering, or witnessing discrimination against LGBT persons.

• What is your country/society's attitudes towards the LGBT community?

• What are your opinions on Gay Marriage? Is it legal in your country?

• What is something you wish society could understand about LGBT?

• Do you believe that homosexuality is caused by genetics or environmental factors?

• Is there an adequate representation of LGBT in the media (including gaming industries)?

• What're your views on gender-neutral bathrooms?

• What're your current opinions on the human rights violations against LGBT persons around the world (such as the death penalty for homosexuality)?

Mental Health
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Sweaty Fingers
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Mod Meadows

20-May-2017 05:45:37 - Last edited on 27-May-2017 03:48:02 by Chief Elf

Apr

2017

Chief Elf

Posts: 5,115 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

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Sexual Orientation

According to the Yogyakarta principles, sexual orientation is referred to as the individual's capacity for profound emotional, affectional and sexual attraction to, and intimate as well as sexual relations with, individuals of a different or same gender or more than one gender.

It is distinguishable from other aspects of sexuality including biological sex, gender identity (the psychological sense of being male or female) and the social gender role (adherence to cultural norms for feminine and masculine behaviour).

Sexual orientation differs from sexual behaviour as it refers to emotions and self-conceptualisation. Sexual orientation may not necessarily be expressed in behaviour.

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Homosexuality

Homosexuality is referred to as the emotional, romantic and sexual attraction to another person of the same sex.

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Intersex

An individual who is intersex is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy (chromosomal, gonadal or anatomical sex) that does not appear to fit the typical definitions of or is not exclusively 'male' or 'female'.

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Transgender

Individuals who identify as transgender or transsexual are generally people who are born with typical male or female anatomies but feel as though they do not correspond with their body/birth sex.
Mental Health
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20-May-2017 05:45:52 - Last edited on 20-May-2017 13:15:14 by Chief Elf

Apr

2017

Chief Elf

Posts: 5,115 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

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Bisexuality

Bisexuality is referred to as the emotional, romantic and sexual attraction towards another person whose biological sex is different than or the same as one's own.

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Pansexuality

Pansexuality is referred to the attraction to others regardless of their gender identity or biological sex.

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Asexuality

Asexuality is referred to as someone who does not experience a sexual attraction. Asexuality is NOT :

• an abstinence pledge
• synonymous to celibacy
• a gender identity
• a disorder
• a choice
• hormonal imbalance
• a fear of sex or relationships

Asexuality is a sexual orientation and therefore, it is about how someone feels and not what they do.

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Demisexuality

Demisexuality is referred to as developing a sexual attraction to only with whom they have an emotional bond.

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Homophobia

Homophobia is referred to as the irrational fear, disgust or hatred towards LGBT persons, or f homosexual feelings in oneself. It is referred to as discomfort felt with any behaviour, belief or attitudes (be it self or in others) that does not conform to stereotypical, traditional gender roles.

The fear of knowing, befriending, associating with an LGBT individual, or being perceived as LGBT, or stepping out of stereotypical gender role behaviour, is a demonstration of homophobia.
Mental Health
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Mod Meadows

20-May-2017 05:46:02 - Last edited on 20-May-2017 13:48:11 by Chief Elf

Apr

2017

Chief Elf

Posts: 5,115 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

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Challenges that LGBT Persons Face

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Marginalisaton

Stigmatisations and negative attitudes by the public can result in difficult to provide social contributions, development of low self-confidence, self-esteem and isolation. Policies and social practices that marginalise can affect access to valuable resources such as education, health services, housing income, leisure activities and work. Marginalisation can often exclude LGBT individuals from various support structures, including their own families.

The family into which an LGBT person is born is often the beginning of marginalisation for them. According to a study, an estimated 30 % of LGBT youth in the US have experienced physical abuse by family members because of their sexual orientation. 40% of the homeless population in the US are comprised of LGBT youth. Marginalisation (especially familial) of LGBT youth can hinder preventative or education efforts, promote risk-taking behaviour and involvement in criminalised activities which propels them further into the marginalisation.
Mental Health
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Mod Meadows

20-May-2017 05:46:58 - Last edited on 20-May-2017 14:15:48 by Chief Elf

Apr

2017

Chief Elf

Posts: 5,115 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

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Impacts of Marginalisaton & Discrimination

• Dropping out of school
• Departure from home and family
• Challenges in finding regular jobs, or faced with less options compared to others.
• Ignored in the community or faced with isolation
• Unable to access various services
• Unaware of their entitlements
• Migration to other countries that offer safer livelilhood and acceptance
• Rejection from religion
• Suicidal attempts
• Decisions to conform to parent's expectations through marriage as a heteronormative couple, but divorce later.

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Familial Conflicts & Rejection

Families restrict access to their child's LGBT support network and resources, with the belief that their actions will provide their children with a good life. However, LGBT youths who have parents that attempt to enforce change to their self-concept, assume that their parents do not love them or hate them. Misunderstandings promote familial conflict. Communication issues and lack of understanding (about sexual orientation and identity) can result in familial conflict and disruption which can lead to the LGBT youth's removal from or forced out of the home.

Many LGBT youth are placed in foster care, end up in juvenile detention, live in homelessness on the stress due to familial conflicts associated with their LGBT identity. These factors can promote the risk of abuse and serious mental health issues. LGBT youth who faced rejection from families possess lower self-esteem and have fewer people they can turn to for help.
Mental Health
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Mod Meadows

20-May-2017 05:47:02 - Last edited on 20-May-2017 20:59:35 by Chief Elf

Apr

2017

Chief Elf

Posts: 5,115 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

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Impacts of Familial Conflicts and Rejection

LGBT youths who are rejected by their families are at significant risk for psychosomatic health issues, especially when they develop into young adulthood. They are more likely to develop poorer health, face more problems with drug use than LGBT youths who have been accepted by their families. LGBT youths who were rejected from their homes (compared to LGBT youths who were accepted) were:

• More than 8 times as likely to have suicidal attempts
• Almost 6 times as likely to report significant levels of depression
• More than 3 times as likely to partake in illegal drugs
• More than 3 times as likely to be at significant risk for HIV and other STDs.

Many LGBT youths hide their identity to avoid familial rejection, or from hurting their parents who believe that homosexuality is immoral/sinful. However, hiding their identity comes at the cost of the LGBT youth's self-esteem and sense of self-worth. It increases the likelihood of involvement in risk behaviours, increased risk for HIV and substance abuse. It hinders their ability to plan for their future, including career or vocational plans.
Mental Health
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20-May-2017 05:47:07 - Last edited on 20-May-2017 21:09:48 by Chief Elf

Apr

2017

Chief Elf

Posts: 5,115 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

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Issues with Homelessness

Homelessness LGBT individuals are faced with inadequate housing and services to cater for their specific needs. 40 to 50% of homeless youth in New York City's stress identify as LGBT. They have been forced into homelessness because of rejection or thrown out of their homes or have attempted to escape from an abusive situation. In 2014, same-sex couples were not able to access family housing in the shelter system in the US. Transgender individuals were not allowed to choose which gender they were more comfortable living in the shelter system. LGBT homeless individuals were exposed to abuse and harassment in the shelter system.

Homelessness without the necessary economic support can lead to frequent engagement in drug use, risky sexual behaviours and development of mental health disorders. Homeless LGBT youth miss out on education and social support during their critical development years. More than half of homeless LGBT youth report experiencing discrimination from peers.
Mental Health
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20-May-2017 05:47:12 - Last edited on 20-May-2017 21:42:48 by Chief Elf

Apr

2017

Chief Elf

Posts: 5,115 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

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Issues with Homophobia

LGBT individuals are more likely to experience intolerance, discrimination, harassment, violent threats based on their sexual orientation. Moral, religious and political beliefs of a dominant group are contributive factors to the reinforcement of homophobia on a grander scale. As a result, LGBT individuals are forced to hide their sexuality in fear, in more homophobic environments. Homophobia may manifest in various forms including jokes, physical assaults, workplace discrimination and negative representations in the media.

Individuals who have been brought in an environment that purports the notion that homosexuality is immoral, may experience feelings of shame, self-loathing, resulting in low self-esteem, when faced with the realisation that they could be LGBT. Suppression of homosexuality involves rejecting a crucial aspect of an individual's identity which may detrimentally affect their life and relationships. The fear and dilemma to come out (or not) can cause a significant amount of personal distress.

LGBT individuals are often exposed to verbal, physical and violent assaults by homophobic individuals. These attitudes and act and experiences can lead LGBT individuals to stress, dissatisfaction, exposure to physical disturbance, isolation, loneliness and ostracism.
Mental Health
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20-May-2017 05:47:17 - Last edited on 20-May-2017 22:07:25 by Chief Elf

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