APA Dictionary of Psychology

equivalent treatment of and opportunity for members of different groups within society regardless of individual distinctions of race, ethnicity, gender, age, social class, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or other characteristics or circumstances. Given its breadth, social equality remains a global ideal yet to be obtained. Hierarchies continue to exist worldwide in which different groups of people are distinguished—whether intentionally or unintentionally—and consequently experience differential treatment that produces divergent daily realities. Consider marriage as an example. Many societies do not permit same-sex marriage, which means that LGBTQ+ individuals in those societies do not have the same legal, economic, and civil rights as their heterosexual counterparts. See also democracy.