Introduction

Contemporary issues in society include problems and discrimination-related issues among people belonging to the LGBTQ community which stands for lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, queer, and others. The community faces various discrimination, prejudices, and other issues while living in a society with mainstream people. Violations in society make the lives of people from the LGBTQ community critical. Violations against people from the LGBTQ community include mental and physical abuse, discriminatory attitudes, criminalization, and others (Flores 2). The community has emerged during the period of World War II with the emergence of a great awakening for queer people in the US. The study helps to time travel to the period of the late 20th century in the US to compare the events of today with those of the 20th century by highlighting the regression of human rights. In this study, I will argue that there is no doubt regarding the advancement in human rights for trans and gay people in this era, however, the conservative government shows regression of human rights for the LGBTQ groups in Canadian society.

Discussion

People from the LGBTQ community mainly trans-kids in this generation face contemporary issues in Canada and other countries. I wonder how in earlier times people from the LGBTQ community faced these types of contemporary issues. When I could time travel to the late 20th century United States I might have ideas and clear concepts regarding the contemporary issues faced by the LGBTQ community while living in a society. During the Second World War, a great awakening for queer people emerged in the US (McDonald). The period provided opportunities for people who tend to work outside the home to explore and understand their sexuality. In the majority of cases, homosexual environments were created by the number of women and military working outside their homes. The rise of gay bars, community groups, and clubs was evident during this period. The first lesbian magazine was named Vice-Versa, published in 1947 (SLCC). During that period, people relocated to large coastal island cities.

I wish that I could time travel to Stonewall during the 1969 era to know the actual situation and struggle faced by people from the LGBTQ community. The Stonewall Riots on 28th June 1969 occurred in Greenwich Village, New York City, and marked the starting of the prime resistance by lesbians and gay men to discrimination (Hamilton 211). The Stonewall Inn was a renowned bar in Greenwich Village in New York which was flooded by queer people. The police raided the inn while following the order of their hierarchies which sparked the three-day riots. This type of police raid and harassment was common for patrons in these queer bars. Individuals during that time can be arrested for not dressing in three clothing items of their respective assigned sex. During the Stonewall riots, the patrons of the Stonewall Inn fought back. Their continuous fighting against the police forced police to barricade themselves inside the bar for their protection. The period reflected that harassment events were common to queer people at that time in broader society and in this type of queer bar.

Through the time travel to the era of the Stonewall riots, I came to know the struggle of people at that time. The situation was disheartening for the LGBTQ community people as there were restrictions and asset warrants for people who failed to wear particular three clothing items of their assigned sexes. During the Stonewall era, there was less concern about the well-being and health of the LGBTQ community people in society (Dugan). The concept of LGBTQ was not introduced in society and the majority of people barely knew the term “homosexuality”. Contrary to this, in the present day, the situation is quite better for people who belong to the LGBTQ community. In the present day, the entire society is concerned with the LGBTQ and the concept of homosexuality. There are several laws and policies to protect them from violence in society. However, there are still several incidents of discrimination, violence, and prejudice against the LGBTQ community people. It can be stated that the condition of these people is better compared to the period of the late 20th-century era. In recent days, in 2012, Washington, Maryland, and Maine became the first states that legalized gay marriage by voting (SLCC). The conditions for gay people generally improved in the majority part of North America and Europe in the 21st century. Contrary to this, in different parts other than Europe and North America, violence against gay people is persistent even in the present day (Kondakov 105). The main reason behind this persistent violence in this modernized era is the conservative government in different countries such as Canada, where, human rights are not followed for the population belonging to the LGBTQ community.   

Conclusion

From this study, I get to know and understand the situation of people belonging to the LGBTQ community in that period of the 20th century for maintaining their regular lifestyles and their relationships with their partners. It is evident from the Stonewall riots in 1969 that people from the LGBTQ community mainly queer and gay face difficulties due to the restriction in society. In the 21st century the condition of this community is improved however, there are still several cases of violence against LGBTQ people in society.      

Works Cited

Dugan, Kimberly B. The struggle over gay, lesbian, and bisexual rights: Facing off in Cincinnati. Routledge, 2021.

Flores, Andrew R., et al. “Hate crimes against LGBT people: National crime victimization survey, 2017-2019.” PLoS one 17.12 (2022): e0279363.

Hamilton, Edgar. “Encyclopedia of Western Countries: 1945–1980.” (2022).

Kondakov, Alexander Sasha. “Challenging the logic of progressive timeline, queering LGBT successes and failures in Ireland and Russia.” Sexualities 26.1-2 (2023): 105-124.

McDonald, Robert E., Debra A. Laverie, and Kerry T. Manis. “The interplay between advertising and society: an historical analysis.” Journal of Macromarketing 41.4 (2021): 585-609.

SLCC. ” Lgbt history. ” Slcc. Websites 21st february 2024. N.d.. https://www.slcc.edu/lgbtq/docs/lgbt-history.pdf.