Social Status and Sexual OrientationInequalities exist in all societies with regard to sexual orientation and gender, due to perceived notions of what is normal sexual behavior and gender roles. gender. The belief that the nuclear family is the only normal or natural form of family has had a profound influence on social opinions, public policy, and research. The purpose of this article is to examine the social views behind the discrimination surrounding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and intersex people in a predominantly heteronormative American society. As lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people fight for their rights, particularly the right to marry and raise children, they often face opposition due to the heteronormative conceptions of status that dominate American societies. . Status generally describes an individual's social position in a community or society. , and is used to describe a person's social identity. The term status is generally divided into two groups: ascribed status, which refers to the social positions into which individuals are born, and achieved status, the social positions that individuals achieve through their personal choices and efforts (Johnson and Rhodes, 2010). There are many forms of social identity, and they represent the many ways people connect or the similarities members of a group share. Gender is one of the most frequently used forms of self-identification or self-description by individuals. Another identity or social status is sexual orientation. Often, society decides what social statuses or identities are acceptable. American society operates on the principle of heteronormativity. Constructionist perspective theory believes that social and cultural norms define appropriate gender behavior and...... middle of paper ...... those benefits that are denied to same-sex couples It is difficult for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to protect themselves against serious illness or bereavement through sick leave or social security claims. Overall, many view the lifestyles of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people as deviant and immoral. Gender theorists believe that heteronormative views remain dominant because sexuality is socially constructed and supports heterosexuality as the only natural sexual orientation. This makes heteronormative views unquestionable and oppresses efforts to prove otherwise. That is, discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people is encouraged by heteronormative views about what is morally acceptable, rather than by conclusive research proving that these people pose a threat to the institutions of marriage and family..