Historians have determined that homosexuality has existed since the beginning of humanity. Anthropologists report that lesbians and gay men have been part of every culture. Lesbians and gay men are represented in every socioeconomic class, educational level, and race. People of any sexual orientation can participate in family life and may have children. A gay or lesbian identity involves both an emotional commitment to people of the same gender and membership in a community.
Longstanding relationships are common.
However, because of the social stigma expressed against lesbians and gay men, these partnerships are frequently invisible. Same sex marriages are currently not recognized and many benefits for legal spouses are denied to domestic partners. An increasing number of employers, including the University of California, now provide some benefits for domestic partners, but such benefits are not guaranteed by law. Sexual orientation does not affect one's job qualifications or performance. Unfortunately, some people believe that gay men and lesbians should not be allowed to hold certain positions such as teacher or health care provider.