SOC317     Sociology of The Family

In 2021, my team and I have done a group assignment on addressing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) community. This assignment was worth to be shared because our work has received good grades and was used as sample work for the following semesters. Personally, I take this as one of my signature assignments because it is my first time carrying out an interview session with an individual from the LGBTQ community. I was very cautious with my choice of words and questions during the interview as I am worried to have offended the interviewee. I am aware of the stress, discrimination, and suppression the LGBTQ community has to deal with as our society is not giving full acceptance and support to them. Thus, I watched out and drafted the interview questions prior to the session to not hurt anyone's feelings.

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Reflecting on the assignment itself, I am thankful for the interviewee to accept our request and to speak up as an LGBTQ individual since many hide their true identity in Malaysia due to the revocation of people of their kind. It was devasted to hear from them about what they have to go through yet eye-opening to listen to their stories and how do their family and friends reacts when they open up themselves to them. I think that we need to have empathy and understanding of the LGBTQ community instead of discriminating or rejecting them. I do believe that everyone has the right to love equally despite their sexual orientation. 

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Reflecting on my usual reaction to LGBTQs I met on daily basis, I do witness discrimination especially from the elderly whenever the topic is mentioned. Given this experience, I do think that sometime I should speak justice for the LGBTQs and condemn discrimination towards them. For example, I can play a role in persuading and making my parents accept LGBTQs open-mindedly. I do think that there is a role for everyone to play in stopping the hate for LGBTQs. As I reflect on it, I admit to not doing much for the LGBTQ community rather than just keeping silent. I wasn't brave enough to seek justice for them. Now, I do learn and see my responsibility in stopping the hate and discrimination.