Discrimination against LGBT celebrities only threatens their career acceleration, but the same discrimination towards prisoners could cause physical and psychological harm.
While people in our country are continuing to “come out,” negative bias against the LGBT community is still commonly present in our society, which means that it is also likely to be ingrained within those in positions of power in the prison system as well as the other prisoners.
If the famous and well-loved Kristen Stewart was advised against holding hands with her girlfriend in public in order to obtain a Marvel movie, obscure and disliked LGBT prisoners could be in danger due to the more extreme effects of the same bias within the prison system.
Sexual minorities are at a higher risk of incarceration to begin with, and their quality of life once they are in the system is worse than the average, straight prisoner as well. The bias against them has led to an extreme amount of abuse cases from peers or staff within prison walls.
Sometimes, measures are taken to separate LGBT prisoners from their peers. It is unclear if these measures are actually meant to prevent abuse and ensure the safety of these minorities, or if it is intended as a punishment, but the psychological repercussions of being placed into separated bunks or cells similar or equal to solitary confinement could be just as bad as they often cause long-term mental illness.
With more people coming forward about their sexuality, the acceptance of such is ever so slowly increasing, so the current changing and evolving prison system is likely to adapt to these issues. But for now, LGBT people are at a higher risk of finding themselves behind bars and weighing out the options of living true to themselves or risking physical and mental health. In some cases, the choice is not optional.
The Changing Prison System 