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Diversity Organization

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Diversity Organization
Robert McReynolds
University of Phoenix

Diversity Organization
For many years, Americans have held certain opinions concerning gender, sex, women, and sexual orientation. A definition of both gender and sex will be provided. The roles of women throughout American history will be discussed. When people think about masculinity and femininity, they have certain preconceived ideas. How these ideas contribute to the understanding gender, sex, and sexual orientation will be examined. Finally, the status of GLBT individuals will be explored. An increased understanding will be gained concerning these issues.
Gender and Sex
Gender can be defined as an individual’s feelings of being either male or female …show more content…

Persecution of these individuals has been around in this country since shortly after America was discovered in 1492 by Columbus. In 1566 the first execution for same-sex activities occurred in what is now Florida by the Spanish ("LGBT History in the United States: A Timeline" [LCBT], 2014). In 1778 the American Army discharged Gotthold Enslin for sodomy. Even the term “homosexual” has been around since 1869 when psychologist Karoly Maria Benkert developed it. Then in 1924 The Society for Human Rights was organized and has been recognized as the first gay rights organization in America (LCBT, 2014). Another blow against the gay community came in 1953 when newly elected President Dwight Eisenhower, through executive order 10450, banned employment of gays by the government (LCBT, 2014). In 1973 The American Psychiatric Association ended a century of attempting to cure homosexuality by taking it out of the DSM. After 29 years, Wisconsin became the first state to ban employment discrimination due to sexual orientation in 1982. The sitcom Will and Grace was first aired in 1998 and put the gay lifestyle in the mainstream spotlight. This program helped get the LGBT community the much needed attention it needed and shed a positive light on this style of living. Then in 2004 Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same sex marriage (LCBT, 2014). Although still discriminated against in many areas today, acceptance has come a long way.

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