Final answer:
Wendy's rejection from a sorority due to her sexual orientation exemplifies homophobia, a discriminatory attitude that is part of a wider societal issue of heterosexism. Efforts to combat such discrimination have included legislative changes and advocacy by LGBTQ rights organizations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rejection of Wendy's bid to join a sorority because she disclosed she is a lesbian is an example of homophobia. Homophobia refers to an irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against LGBTQ people, based on their sexual orientation. This form of prejudice can manifest in various ways, such as harassment, exclusion from social groups, and deliberate non-acceptance of qualified job applicants due to their LGBTQ+ status. It is part of a larger system of heterosexism, an ideology that privileges heterosexuals over other sexual orientations, analogous to how racism and sexism operate within society.
Institutional policies and advocacy work have aimed to combat homophobia and heterosexism. Legislative actions such as the overturning of “don't ask, don't tell” and the Supreme Court decision of 2020 to outlaw employment discrimination based on sexual orientation highlight the progression towards equality. Organizations such as GLAAD champion the rights of LGBTQ individuals and encourage society to acknowledge and prevent sexual discrimination.