Where is discrimination against homosexuals

These negative beliefs and actions can affect the physical and mental health of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, whether they seek and are able to get health services, and the quality of the services they may receive. Such barriers to health must be addressed at different levels of society, such as health care settings, work places, and schools to improve the health of gay and bisexual men throughout their lives.

Some people may have negative attitudes toward gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. These attitudes can lead to rejection by friends and family, discriminatory acts and violence, and laws and policies with negative consequences.

If you are gay, bisexual, or a man who has sex with other men, homophobia, stigma, and discrimination can:. Homophobia, stigma, and discrimination can be especially hard for young men who are gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.

These negative attitudes increase their chance of experiencing violence, especially compared with other students in their schools. Violence can include behaviors such as bullying, teasing, harassment, physical assault, and suicide-related behaviors.

Gay and bisexual youth and other sexual minorities are more likely to be rejected by their families. This increases the possibility of them becoming homeless. A study published in compared gay, lesbian, and bisexual young adults who experienced strong rejection from their families with their peers who had more supportive families.

The researchers found that those who experienced stronger rejection were about:. Gay and bisexual men and their family and friends can take steps to lessen the effects of homophobia, stigma, and discrimination and protect their physical and mental health. One way to handle the stress from stigma and discrimination is by having social support.

Studies show that gay men who have good social support—from family, friends, and the wider gay community—have:. Parents should talk openly with their teen about any problems or concerns and watch for behaviors that might show their child is being bullied or is experiencing violence. If bullying, violence, or depression is suspected, parents should take immediate action working with school staff and other adults in the community. Coalitions and advocates at the federal level are working toward passing the proposed Equality Act, which would provide consistent and explicit non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people by including sexual orientation and gender identity as protected statuses under the Civil Rights Act of , among other federal laws.

GELC strongly supports the passage of The Equality Act, which would prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, education, public spaces and other areas. The Equality Act. New York State Laws. New York City Laws. Read the Report. Taking legal action about discrimination is likely to be complicated. If you are thinking about taking court action, you should get advice from an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice local office.

As well as discrimination because of your sexual orientation, you could be treated unfairly for other reasons, for example, because of your race, disability or because you're a woman.

For more information about discrimination, see our discrimination pages. Stonewall is a campaigning and lobbying organisation working on issues of relevance to lesbians, gay men and bi-sexuals. In England, they have information about discrimination on their website at: www. They also run a free information helpline on: 50 20 The line is open Monday to Friday, 9. Or you can email them for information on: info stonewall. In Wales, the website for Stonewall Cymru is: www.

Tel: Email: info stonewallscotland. Stonewall cannot give you legal advice or help you pursue a case or complaint but they can refer you to specialists who can. More about the EASS helpline. You can find useful information about discrimination on the EHRC website at www. A law centre can offer free legal advice if you want to take a case for sexual orientation discrimination. If a solicitor from a law centre represents you, you may be entitled to legal aid. However, the FRU is a voluntary organisation and representation in cases cannot be guaranteed.

If you want help from the FRU, you must be referred in writing by an advice agency once the date of a hearing has been set.

The agency must be an FRU subscriber. Some Citizens Advice local offices in London area are subscribers. You can search for your nearest Citizens Advice local office.

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England This advice applies to England: England home Advice can vary depending on where you live. Discrimination because of sexual orientation This advice applies to England Print. Table of contents What is discrimination because of sexual orientation Direct discrimination because of sexual orientation Indirect discrimination because of sexual orientation Victimisation Sexual orientation discrimination in employment and training Sexual orientation when providing goods, facilities and services Sexual orientation discrimination in education and training Sexual orientation discrimination in housing What can you do about sexual orientation discrimination Other types of discrimination Further help What is discrimination because of sexual orientation Discrimination because of sexual orientation is when you are treated unfairly because of your sexual orientation.

Your sexual orientation depends on whether you are sexually attracted towards: your own sex. This means gay and lesbian people the opposite sex. This means heterosexual people the same and the opposite sex. This means bisexual people. It's also illegal to discriminate against you because: of the sexual orientation of someone you know, such as family or friends, rather than because of your own sexual orientation.

This is known as discrimination by association you are believed to be of a particular sexual orientation, even, when you are not of gender reassignment. Direct discrimination because of sexual orientation It is direct discrimination to treat you less favourably because of your sexual orientation than someone of a different sexual orientation would be treated in the same circumstances.

Abuse and harassment because of sexual orientation are forms of direct discrimination. For more information on hate crime see Hate crime Here are some possible examples of direct discrimination because of sexual orientation: an insurance company insists that a man applying for life insurance takes an HIV test before they will give him life insurance.

His application form shows he is gay by referring to his male partner a landlord asks a letting agent to say that their flat to let has been taken if a lesbian or gay couple ask about renting it. If the letting agent agrees, both the landlord and the letting agent would be guilty of direct discrimination because of sexual orientation.

Both the shop assistant and the person or company that owns the shop would be guilty of direct discrimination because of sexual orientation. Indirect discrimination because of sexual orientation It is indirect sexual orientation discrimination to have a rule, policy or practice which someone of a particular sexual orientation is less likely to be able to meet, and this places them at a disadvantage to people of a different sexual orientation.

Sexual orientation discrimination in employment and training It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against you because of your sexual orientation.