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LGTB MOVEMENT

GROUP DYNAMICS
Within the LGTB Movement
Vanessa Benning
9/30/17
Group Dynamics
Bryant and Stratton College
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LGTB MOVEMENT

A group is a number of individuals assembled together or having some unifying

relationship (Webster’s Dictionary.) The LGTB movement is a group in its definition,

specifically the cause they are fighting – equality for the LGTB community. They are

unified in their common goal and direction of the movement itself.

There are several subgroups of the movement including Asexual (no sexual

attraction,) ally (non-LGTB, but supporters,) bisexual (attraction to both sexes,) gay

(attracted to same sex,) intersex (born with both male and female anatomy,) and

transgender (don’t associate with assigned birth sex.) With these subgroups there are

also organizational groups pushing towards the movement. These can be lawmakers,

governmental, supporters, protestors, charities, and even people against the movement.

Some of the biggest conflicts in the LGTB movement have been marriage

equality, “Don’t ask don’t tell” in the armed forces, where to fit transgenders into society,

employment protection, consensual sex legalization, right to donate blood, religion

acceptance, and discrimination.

The movement towards equality has been hard, but we have especially taken

baby steps in the direction of gay marriage. Long awaited the first married gay couple

was Marcia Kadish (56,) and Tanya McCloskey (52) on May 17th 2004 in Malden

Massachusetts. This was a long battle with its first breakthrough since the first gay

couple tried to get a marriage license in the 1970’s. In order for this dream to become a

reality letters were written, protests were completed, social media took hold, and bills

were presented to congress. Teamwork and group camaraderie were key in this stride.
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LGTB MOVEMENT

All of the other obstacles are being fought daily, with no absolute resolution as of yet.

We still see these issues today in the workplace.

Discrimination against gays and transgenders dressing how they want to dress,

using the bathroom, and how to house transgender patients are constant issues.

Putting your gay spouse on your health insurance, and harassment against LGTB

workers is in play as well. We still have a long way to go with this, and working diversity

into professions is something that still needs work.

The LGTB community has been discriminated against since the beginning of

time. Finally now they have found strength in numbers, and our world is opening its

eyes to a different perspective and way of life. People who were once afraid to speak

their minds are now having a voice. We are banning together as a society to become

more educated, and more accepting of differences. This has embodied the functionalist

perspective. Everyone is finally coming together as a whole for the common good.

With these changes in group dynamics of the LGTB community our power is more

effective than ever before. Decisions are made by the “few in power” but can be

influenced by the “voices of the many.”

In order to bring this powerful stance to the workplace we must think of the

connections involved. They all share a common ground, common goal, and common

passion. Remembering to keep that in the forefront in the workplace is key to a strong

group dynamic. Having a mission, and never giving up on the goal at hand.
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LGTB MOVEMENT

References

Mosbergen, D. (2015, June 29). After 54 Years Together, Jack Evans And George

Harris Become First Same-Sex Couple To Marry In Dallas. Retrieved October

01, 2017, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/29/first-same-sex-couple-

dallas-jack-evans-george-harris_n_7684464.html

D. (2015, October 25). 11 Major Obstacles to Equality That LGBT Americans Still Face

in 2014. Retrieved October 01, 2017, from https://mic.com/articles/92349/11-

major-obstacles-to-equality-that-lgbt-americans-still-face-in-2014#.0kmW11UMV

Frank, N. (2015, June 26). The Long Road to Marriage Equality. Retrieved October 01,

2017, from

http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2015/06/26/gay_marriage_a_history_of_the_

movement_for_marriage_equality.html

Kelly, M., & Lubitow, A. (2014). Pride at Work. Labor Studies Journal, 39(4), 257-277.

doi:10.1177/0160449x14567806

Farrow, K., Nair, Y., & Friedes, J. (2015). Beyond Gay Marriage—Is the LGBT

Movement Walking Down the Aisle to Nowhere? Same-Sex Marriage, 220-225.

Retrieved September 30, 2017.

Elliott, P. (2015). Where Does the LGBT Movement Go Now? Time, 186(27). Retrieved

September 30, 2017.