One thing that struck me when reading the article by Young was the discussion on how even doctors and lawyers who help LGBT people must constantly try and prove that they are not gay. This was attributed to "moral" standards that everyone, not just these doctors and lawyers, are expected to live up to. Many laws on the books prohibit "solicitation," "wearing clothing of the opposite sex," and "sodomy," while seemingly not geared toward homosexuals, are often enforced only when LGBT people are involved. While some of the laws have been repealed in certain states since the publication of this book, many are still enforced. Back to the initial point: How do these "moral" standards hold back the LGBT community?
Not only is it wrong for people to have to hide who they are, but it is also wrong that there is a double standard between LGBT people and heterosexuals. For homosexuals to be charged for crimes that heterosexuals usually aren't perpetuates stereotypes, promotes heterosexism in a big way, and helps create an environment where violence and discrimination against LGBT people is not just accepted, but expected.
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