Social Deviance
Journal Entry #3
Factors for managing someone's sexual or gender identity and the family's structure can include the environment one lives in and the religiousness of the surrounding area. There are specific religions, such as Christianity and Islam, that teach that homosexual tendencies are wrong. Those within the LGBT community must deal with determining how to express their sexual/gender identities to the outside community based on the specific religious beliefs of the society they live in. There are Christian sects that are more accepting of the LGBT community than others, leading to LGBT members being able to be more open about their identity compared to those living in more conservative Christian areas. There are those who live in more conservative political climates than others. They are often tied to their religious beliefs. Those living in conservative, strict Christianity areas must adhere to the ideology that the LGBT community is "sinful" and "unnatural". They may not believe this is true or may be a part of the LGBT community themselves but will act as if they agree with the popular belief. They do this to avoid discrimination from their social groups, such as physical and emotional abuse. They may have slurs thrown at them or have their tires slashed. Their family may support them but if they live in a conservative area, the family may want the individual to keep quiet to protect the family and the individual. There are LGBT members that live in families that may not be accepting of their identity. They may have to lie and act like they are not a member of the LGBT community to manage their identity to protect themselves. If they come out or are forced to come out, their family may kick them out of their house or no longer support them financially. They may need to rely on outside sources to provide them their basic needs such as homeless shelters and donation centers.
I have to manage my sexual/gender identity on a daily basis. As someone who is a part of the LGBT community, I don't discuss it much, especially with my family. My family doesn't know that I am not straight or cis gender because I haven't told them. They have a strict conservative viewpoint and that affects my ability to act like myself. I have downloaded several dating apps to make it appear that I am trying to date people but I have no intention to act on these apps. The apps are there to solely make it appear that I am straight. I have not mentioned my gender identity to them and lie on my job applications about my gender identity. I put down the identity I was given at birth and friends call me by female pronouns and my given name because if I told them otherwise, my parents would find out and it would put me at risk. Although my friends have been accepting of my identity, I know that I could potentially