Laws that regulate marriage, adoption, employment, housing, healthcare, and education play an important role in shaping public attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
There are also many cultural factors which affect how societies view LGBT communities. This paper will examine some of these laws and cultural norms in order to explore their impact on social tolerance towards these groups.
The first law I want to look at is same-sex marriage. Legalizing same-sex marriage has been one of the biggest advances for LGBT rights in recent years. Many countries have either legalized it already or are currently debating whether or not to do so. When marriage equality became the law in the US, there was a significant increase in public support for gay couples and same-sex marriage. In fact, the percentage of Americans who favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry rose from 36% in 20010 to 58% in 2014, according to Gallup polls.
Even after same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide, there were still some states where anti-gay discrimination remained commonplace.
North Carolina passed House Bill 2 (HB2) in March 2017, which prevents cities from enacting non-discrimination ordinances protecting sexual orientation and gender identity.
Another area where law intersects with culture is the military. The US Armed Forces did not allow openly gay service members until 2011 when "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed. Before that time, LGBT people had to hide their identities in order to serve. Even today, transgender individuals cannot join the military unless they pass as their birth sex. This limitation creates obstacles for transgender people seeking to serve their country, but also reinforces societal prejudices against them. Transgender people often face discrimination and violence in daily life, so serving alongside cisgender soldiers can be difficult without adequate protection.
In addition to laws, cultural norms play an important role in shaping tolerance toward LGBT populations. One such norm is the belief that homosexuality is immoral or sinful. Religious groups have historically opposed same-sex relationships and fought hard to maintain this viewpoint in public policy. In fact, many countries still criminalize homosexuality on religious grounds. Nigeria recently imposed a harsh new law that makes it illegal to identify as LGBT or even support LGBT rights groups. This law has led to increased persecution of LGBT people and has been widely condemned by human rights organizations.
Cultural values related to family structures are another factor influencing social tolerance towards LGBT communities. Traditional nuclear families with a mother, father, and children are seen as ideal by many cultures around the world. When families deviate from this model, whether due to divorce, single parenthood, or nontraditional arrangements like polyamory, there can be pushback from society.
Some cultures have embraced alternative family structures more than others.
Sweden allows for multiple parents to register as legal guardians of a child regardless of gender identity, while South Africa recognizes polygamy and marriages between close relatives.
Both laws and culture shape social attitudes toward LGBT individuals. Laws provide protections and opportunities for these groups, but they also reinforce existing prejudices if they fail to adequately address discrimination. At the same time, cultural norms can create barriers to equality despite progressive legislation. As we continue to fight for equality, it will be important to consider both of these factors when advocating for change.
How does law intersect with cultural norms to shape social tolerance toward LGBT populations?
Law is an essential component of any society's legal system that regulates behavior and establishes rules for citizens to follow. Cultural norms, on the other hand, are values, beliefs, and traditions shared by members of a particular group or community that guide their actions and decisions. The intersection between law and culture can have significant implications for social tolerance towards different groups, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals.