Unavoidable Discrimination

-->

From: Alice

Discrimination against women is seen in various facets of society, but the discrimination against gay women mainly by heterosexual men is the focus of this photograph. The artistic elements in this photograph demonstrate the discrimination homosexual women face when living in a patriarchal, heterosexual society. The black and white color filter of the photo represents the “black and white” stance many people in western society take on homosexuality; very few people have no opinion on the morality of homosexuality or the fight homosexuals face to gain equality under the law. The lack of color in the photo also represents the effect this discrimination on the emotional state of a gay woman. When faced with discriminatory comments or judgmental glares, a gay woman cannot help but feel defeated and hopeless, as if the color, or happiness, is draining out of her world. The shadow casted across the woman’s face also demonstrates the fact that many gay women are forced to shield or hide their sexual identities in order to avoid discrimination by hyper-moralistic or misogynistic men, and even bigoted heterosexual women. The clear labeling of the woman’s identity, as the word “gay” is written across her forehead, demonstrates the labels placed on an identity that is distinct from that of mainstream, male-dominated heterosexual society. This idea reflects “the natural tendency to categorize” individuals based upon outward characteristics (from “Linking Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination”). Another symbolic aspect of this photo is the slightly disheveled appearance of the woman. This represents the struggle and constant fight gay women must pursue in order to overcome discrimination. Her fatigued appearance also demonstrates the difficulty of the fight; while a gay woman may not experience daily episodes of discrimination, their intermittent occurrence is marked by struggle. Despite her fatigued, disheveled appearance, the gay woman still manages to keep her gaze pointed upward, rather than looking at the ground, downcast and dejected. This shows the drive and fighting spirit these women possess. Homosexuals, either male or female identifying, face both personal discrimination and institutionalized discrimination. The former is defined as “acts of discrimination committed by individuals,” while the latter is defined as “discriminatory polices or practices carried out by organizations and other institutions (from “Linking Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination”). Despite these forms of homosexual discrimination, gay women continue to fight for their right to exist as well as their right to equal protection under constitutional law.