The term "experiences of exclusion" refers to situations where individuals are denied equal treatment or opportunities due to their gender identity or sexual orientation. This can include being treated unfairly in employment, education, housing, healthcare, public accommodations, social services, government benefits, and other areas of life. Discrimination is often motivated by prejudice, stereotypes, fear, ignorance, hate, homophobia, heterosexism, transphobia, racism, sexism, classism, and ableism. Research has shown that experiences of exclusion and discrimination can have significant impacts on moral reasoning and ethical perspectives in LGBTQ adults. These impacts may vary based on individual differences such as age, race/ethnicity, culture, religion, socioeconomic status, geographic location, family background, educational level, and personal experiences. This article will explore how experiences of exclusion and discrimination influence moral reasoning and ethical perspectives in LGBTQ adults.
Experiences of exclusion and discrimination can lead to feelings of isolation, alienation, rejection, shame, stigma, self-doubt, and mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal ideation, substance abuse, and self-harm. These experiences can erode trust, create distrust, undermine confidence, and fuel resentment towards those who perpetrate discrimination or fail to address it adequately. They can also make individuals question their own worthiness, value, and place in the world, leading them to internalize negative messages about themselves and others like them. As a result, many LGBTQ adults experience moral distress when confronted with situations where they feel compelled to act against their values, beliefs, or identities due to external pressures.
An individual who is denied medical treatment for HIV may feel morally conflicted between wanting to adhere to their religious beliefs and seeking necessary care.
The effects of exclusion and discrimination are not limited to the individual; they also have broader social consequences. LGBTQ adults who face these experiences may become more cynical, pessimistic, and suspicious of authority figures and institutions that exclude or mistreat them. They may develop mistrust of heterosexual/cisgender peers, family members, and colleagues who do not understand their experiences or sympathize with their struggles. This can lead to greater tensions within families, workplaces, communities, and society as a whole, creating barriers to cooperation, understanding, empathy, and progress towards equality. It can also contribute to the spread of harmful stereotypes and prejudices, making it harder to build alliances across difference and promote inclusive policies and practices.
Research suggests that experiences of exclusion and discrimination can influence moral reasoning by shaping personal identity, self-esteem, worldview, and perspective on morality. Some studies suggest that individuals who experience discrimination are more likely to view morality as relative rather than absolute, seeing it as contextual, situational, and dependent on circumstances. Others argue that exclusion and discrimination can lead to greater sensitivity to power imbalances, inequality, injustice, and oppression, leading individuals to question traditional norms and values and seek alternatives based on fairness, equity, and solidarity. Still others find that such experiences can increase awareness of systemic oppression and create a stronger commitment to anti-oppressive activism and advocacy for change.
In terms of ethical perspectives, experiences of exclusion and discrimination can foster cynicism, skepticism, and pessimism about the possibilities for justice, respect, acceptance, and inclusion. Individuals may become disillusioned with institutions and systems that fail to protect them or make meaningful efforts to address their needs. They may feel less optimistic about progress and social change, seeing obstacles as insurmountable and opponents as entrenched and unmovable.
Some researchers have found that these experiences can also inspire resilience, creativity, and innovation as LGBTQ adults work together to challenge discriminatory attitudes, policies, and practices, build alliances across difference, and promote positive social transformation.
This article has explored how experiences of exclusion and discrimination influence moral reasoning and ethical perspectives in LGBTQ adults. These experiences are complex and multifaceted, affecting individuals, families, communities, and society at large. Further research is needed to understand how they impact different groups and contexts and to develop strategies for mitigating their harmful effects. With continued advocacy, education, and organizing, we can create a world where all people can live freely and equally without fear of exclusion or discrimination based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.
How do experiences of exclusion and discrimination influence moral reasoning and ethical perspectives in LGBTQ adults?
Research suggests that experiences of exclusion and discrimination can have significant impact on an individual's moral reasoning and ethical perspective (e. g. , Nave, Fiske, & Sommers, 2019; Pizarro et al. , 2014).