A society can be said to have made moral progress when it has moved away from beliefs and practices that are widely seen as unjust, such as slavery, racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, classism, ableism, etc., towards more inclusive ones where all people are treated with respect, dignity, and equality.
For some time now, there has been a debate about whether societies truly make moral progress even if they continue to marginalize LGBT communities. This essay explores this issue and attempts to answer the question posed above by examining various arguments presented by scholars and activists.
The first argument is that while societies may claim moral progress, their institutions continue to marginalize LGBT communities through policies and laws that discriminate against them.
Many countries around the world still criminalize same-sex relationships, which means that members of the LGBT community are subjected to harsh penalties if they engage in any form of intimacy or express themselves publicly. In addition, there are no laws protecting them from discrimination in employment, housing, education, healthcare, or other aspects of life. These laws and policies undermine the notion that a society is making moral progress because they perpetuate injustice and inequality.
Another argument is that while institutions may not overtly discriminate against the LGBT community, they often fail to address their needs and interests.
While most schools have anti-bullying policies, these policies do not specifically mention sexual orientation or gender identity as grounds for bullying, nor do they provide resources and support for LGBT students who experience bullying or harassment. Similarly, healthcare providers may offer services to everyone but lack adequate training on how to address the unique needs of LGBT patients. Such situations imply that despite claims of moral progress, LGBT communities remain vulnerable and excluded.
Some argue that even though institutions still discriminate against LGBT communities, society has made significant progress in terms of attitudes towards them. This is evident in the growing number of people who identify as LGBT and openly express themselves without fear of persecution.
There are now more legal protections for LGBT people in many parts of the world than ever before. While this may be true, it does not mean that societies can claim moral progress when there are still widespread social norms and beliefs that condemn homosexuality and transgenderism.
While societies may claim moral progress, they cannot do so if they continue to marginalize the LGBT community through policies and laws that discriminate against them or by failing to address their needs and interests. Moral progress should be measured not only by changes in laws and institutions but also by the way individuals and groups interact with each other on a daily basis. Until all members of society enjoy equal rights and opportunities regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, we cannot truly say that we have achieved moral progress.
Can a society claim moral progress while its institutions continue to marginalize LGBT communities?
Despite significant changes in social attitudes towards sexual orientation and gender identity in many countries, discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) people remains widespread and systemic.