Today, the analysis of three main sociological concepts: gender, sexual orientation, and identity, is entirely relevant due to the increase in people from LGBT communities. The changes that covered all spheres of society, also affected the existing stereotypes of gender behavior, so the issue of the place and role of men and women in society focuses on research on the aspirations, interests, and preferences of both sexes. The worst thing is that most communities forget about their humanity, promoting gender or sex discrimination, condemning LGBTQ people, identifying them with without gender/sex individuals.
The three main concepts are defined and explained through personal experience. Thus, gender is a socio-biological characteristic that divides communities into men and women. Sexual orientation is an attraction to the opposite or the same sex. This often leads to a person’s self-identification on this basis and can also be associated with a specific, socially determined type of behavior, and on its basis, people can unite in specific communities, an example of which is LGBT. Identity is our self-awareness; that is, what kind of person we are in our view and how we see ourselves varies depending on the circumstances. Considering the text information, Kate Bornstein stated that early education affects people’s self-identification and attitude towards those who are not like everyone. If, from childhood, parents have taught the child to distinguish between male and female and to treat all people with respect, there is a high probability that in adulthood, the child will not be attracted to the same sex and will not discriminate. The important point is that because of the wrong stereotypes and femininity or masculinity instilled from an early age, adolescents in LGBT communities often suffer from bullying and suicide. Overall, three major concepts are defined, which include gender, sexual orientation, and identity.
From my experience, I can say that since I was a child, I have often wondered how people define their sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender. We were taught that people are divided into men and women based on clothing, hair length, accessories, toys, and behavior, which defined their adult views, and deviation from the inherited stereotypes is regarded as abnormal. However, in assessing the situation today, I have often encountered visible violence against those who are not like everyone else. This often applies to gay men who wear women’s clothing and jewelry, or transgender people who feel uncomfortable in their bodies. Having friends from various religious backgrounds, I can say that religion influences the concept of identity and gender roles. For example, catholic families oppose same-sex marriages and transgenderism, promoting equality between men and women. However, protestants or atheists consider it as normal phenomena. Overall, such concepts as gender, sexual orientation, and identity are influenced by religion and stereotypes, which are inoculated from an early age.
