The LGBTQ+ community continues to be one of the groups that suffers most discrimination

March 6, 2022

The history of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community is not a secret. In the United States, the percentage reached 20% in 2020 in its hate crime stats. However, apart from the obvious violence, the silent discrimination in the labor world, economy...etc, is very present for people who do not consider themselves heterosexual.

According to 2018 data, Memphis is one of the cities in TN with the most incidents against gays and lesbians.

One of the organizations that offers the most help in the city is OUTMemphis. Anu Iyer, the Volunteer Coordinator since 2021, gives us more information about them.

Anu Iyer

Created in the 1980s, it began as a group of community members who wanted a safe space for their LGBTQ friends and family to come together and share their struggles, seeking for solutions and greater protection with the government. In 1989 the organization was officially formed, when they got a building on Cooper Street. Iyer explains that it was a project that came out of nowhere and grew rapidly in just 30 years. They currently have two locations, 15 people working and numerous services.

They provide sexual health including free HIV testing and consultations for people interested in starting stimulants or prep medications to avoid putting themselves at risk for HIV and mental health where they connect the people with a group that can help them. Also physical health, offering Tai Chi and Trauma-Informed Yoga classes and Body Image & Eating Disorders Workshop; and Spiritual Health, where they build connections between people who have been rejected in their communities. For transgender people, they have funds if they want to change their name legally.

They later expanded services to youth, with the Youth Services Department. They have a housing project for young people between 18 and 24 years old. They help them find safe, affordable housing that pays for up to a year. During that period of time, social workers will work with the participant to get him a job and open bank accounts, making sure he can support himself as an independent adult.

OUTMemphis building

Due to covid, the number of people who have come to the center has dropped, and they had to adapt their services to the circumstances. Still, Iyer says the center has about 200 visitors a month, though that's a pretty high estimate.

There is not a big difference between the sexes. Primarily, they serve people who are in their middle age or young age, although they also have programs for seniors who identify as LGBTQ+.

Iyer is convinced there is still discrimination in Memphis. “We sometimes have to add people to our list of “banned individuals”, people who are no longer allowed at our organization because of the homophobic things that we've had to experience from them, because of their hatred and ignorance towards what we do and who we serve,” she said. She assured that they not only suffer discrimination from “normal people”, but also from government officials when it comes to obtaining funds. “When we are meeting with government officials, for example, you know, that kind of “I don't really care what you do” kind of attitude, you can sense it.”

She said that living in Memphis as part of the community can be complicated, but it depends on many factors. She said it is not the same to be upper middle class, white, male and gay, than to be a black woman who identifies as transgender, and will suffer much more labor, economic and social discrimination. This group is also more likely to end up as sex workers or develop substance addictions.

Because the truth is, that LGBTQ+ people are more likely to end up with a substance use disorder, due to the discrimination they suffer. OUTMemphis also offers help with this. Iyer assured that they receive calls from people who have been discriminated against by the police, by their job, by their landlord. They work with LGBTQ friendly attorneys.

The lack of education in these subjects influences a lot. Iyer said they get calls from high school teachers, who work at different schools in Memphis who are really concerned about the safety of their students because some come out as gay or queer or transgender, and they want to create a safe and welcoming environment for that student. But the school administration will have very discriminatory policies that make it really hard for that teacher to speak to that student, let them know that it's OK to identify as who you are. Teachers are under a lot of pressure from the administration to follow policies, and the policies are created by the school board, who usually has political affiliations that are lobbying for themselves.

Talking about STDs is still taboo, and that's why Iyer said they struggle with such high cases of HIV in the city, due to lack of knowledge of how to practice safe sex.

Something that can be controversial is the relationship between religion and homosexuality, but Iyer said that they have very close connections to some churches. Some do not accept LGBTQ people, but others welcome everyone.

Iyer remains positive, and despite the data of discrimination, she believes that the situation is improving, saying that 50 years ago it was unthinkable to have an LGBTQ+ community center providing so much help, and is growing every day.