Then and Now...

A Brief History of LGBTQ Community...

~In the language of ancient Greece, there were no terms that distinguished heterosexuality from homosexuality (2011, Pickett).

~In certain Native American cultures, homosexuality was considered a special gifted state and magical powers were attributed to homosexuals. 

Unfortunately, the treatment of homosexuals historically in the United States from the Pilgrims forward is not positive. In fact, right up until the 19th century homosexuality was defined in official psychiatric texts as "unnatural acts", "crimes against nature", "sodomy", or "buggery". (2007, Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry)

The first use of the word 'homosexuality' in the 19th century was by the German psychologist Karoly Maria Benkert (2011, Pickett). 

A significant part of the history of the LGBT is that, until shockingly recently, the American Board of Psychiatry considered homosexuality a mental illness. In 1973, homosexuality was finally declassified as a mental illness. (2007, Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry). 

Currently, there is new category of philosophical thought called "queer theory". The study of queer theory revolves around the topic of whether sexuality is a product of biology alone, socialization alone, or some combination of the two. 

My Community Today:

The LGBTQ community in Portland today is flourishing. Although it's certainly not easy to grow up questioning one's gender affiliation, these days it is much easier to find support and a safe place to express one's feelings and/or confusion around gender identity issues. As you will see in my map, there are numerous places where gays can socialize, find health resources, and connect with organizations dedicated to outreach and activism. 

Another example of the growing recognition is that, for the first time, this community is being included in The National Health Interview Survey (2007, Pearson). In addition, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius states, "Today we are taking critical steps toward ensuring the useful national data on minority groups, including, for the first time, LGBT populations," Sebelius also said. "The data we will eventually collect in these efforts will serve as powerful tools and help us in our fight to end health disparities." (2007, Pearson).

Since the data gathered in the 2010 Census, same-sex couples in the Portland area have increased 20% (Law, 2010).   

Unfortunately, I couldn't manage to embed a time line so click here to view it.

Here is a map showing data from 2012 showing the various legislative dispositions of states in the US. Since this time, one more state (Washington) has joined those allowing same sex marriage (2012, la Court).

* Legislation passed in Washington and Maryland in February 2012 will allow same-sex marriages, but those laws have not yet taken effect. In California, a federal appeals court found that the state constitution's restriction on same-sex marriage was invalid, but has postponed enforcement pending appeal.