Historically, gender has played an important role in military organizations, where it is used to define roles, responsibilities, norms, expectations, and behavior.
In recent years there have been many changes in this regard, particularly in terms of how sexuality and gender identities are understood and expressed. This paper will examine the lived experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) service members through historical, cultural, and institutional factors that shape their experiences.
The first factor influencing the LGBT service member's experience is history. Historically, the military has been a male-dominated organization and women were not allowed to serve until the late twentieth century. Even today, women make up less than 20% of the total number of active-duty personnel. This means that men hold the majority of leadership positions and determine the policies, practices, and culture of the armed forces. As such, masculinity and heterosexuality are often seen as the ideal for soldiers and officers. In addition, the military is structured around rank and hierarchy, which can create tensions between those who identify as LGBT and others in the chain of command.
If someone is promoted or given more responsibility based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, it may be viewed negatively by those below them in rank.
Another factor shaping the LGBT service member's experience is culture. Culture refers to shared values, beliefs, norms, and behaviors within a specific group or society. The military has its own unique culture with certain codes of conduct, such as respecting authority, following orders, and being disciplined.
This culture can also be hostile towards LGBT individuals.
There have been numerous incidents where service members have been harassed, assaulted, or even discharged because they do not conform to traditional gender roles or expressions.
The military has been known to reinforce stereotypes about homosexuals and transgender people through its policies and training programs.
Institutional factors also play a role in shaping the lived experiences of LGBT service members. Institutions refer to formal organizations that have power over individuals. Within the military, institutions such as the Department of Defense (DoD) and Congress set policy and regulations that govern how soldiers should behave and interact. These policies often dictate what is acceptable behavior within the armed forces and define what constitutes appropriate masculinity or femininity. As such, many LGBT service members feel forced to conceal their true identities in order to avoid repercussions from supervisors or peers. In addition, the DoD has made some progress in recent years regarding LGBT rights but still falls short of providing equal protections for all service members. This lack of support can lead to feelings of isolation and marginalization among those who identify as LGBT.
Historical, cultural, and institutional factors all shape the lived experiences of LGBT service members. By understanding these factors, we can better understand why they face challenges and barriers when serving our country.
How do historical, cultural, and institutional factors shape the lived experiences of LGBT service members?
Historical, cultural, and institutional factors have shaped the lived experiences of LGBT service members in various ways, with each factor influencing their experiences at different stages of military history and geographical regions. During World War II and earlier, being openly gay was considered a criminal offense under the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice), which led to widespread discrimination and persecution against homosexuals.