Discuss the problems faced by male homosexuals and lesbians and the false stereotypes that have participated in many of these problems

What will be an ideal response?

Answer will include that the problems faced by lesbians and gay men tend to be related to rejection by family and discrimination in hiring and housing. It is important to note that gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals encounter hostility because they are members of minority groups, not because there is anything inherently wrong with them. Such unfair treatment is based on homophobia and heterosexism in our society. Homophobia refers to prejudice, fear, and dislike directed at homosexuals.
Heterosexism is the belief that heterosexuality is better or more natural than homosexuality. Understandably, social rejection tends to produce higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thinking among gay and lesbian people. However, anyone facing discrimination and stigma would react in much the same way. When such stresses are factored out, homosexual persons are no more likely to have emotional problems than heterosexual people are. Most homosexual people have at one time or another suffered verbal abuse or worse because of their sexual orientation. Much of this rejection is based on false stereotypes about gay and lesbian people. The following points are a partial reply to such stereotypes. Gay and lesbians
(1) do not try to convert others to homosexuality, (2) are no more likely to molest children than heterosexuals, (3) are no more likely to be mentally ill than heterosexuals, (4) do not hate persons of the opposite sex, (5) do not, as parents, make their own children gay, (6) do have long-term, caring, monogamous relationships, and (7) are no less able to contribute to society than heterosexuals. Homosexual people are found in all walks of life, at all social and economic levels, and in all cultural groups. They are as diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, age, parenthood, relationships, careers, health, education, politics, and sexual behavior as the heterosexual community. Perhaps as more people come to see gay and lesbian people in terms of their humanity, rather than their sexuality, the prejudices they have faced will wane.