Equality Does Not Mean Equity : Gay Marriage Rights

Equality involves the perceived idea that everyone is created equal. Although this is a concept that is all over America, it is more ideal rather than a reality. Equality is the idea that individuals are treated the same, regardless of their race, gender, or religion. Since the founding of

The controversy between marriage equality and the exercise of religious freedom is a confliction between nondiscrimination laws and religious freedom laws. Religious freedom seemed to be an important aspect of an American citizen, after all it is the very first amendment to the constitution. With each American citizen being granted equality by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, discrimination made against an individual based on his/her sexual preference may seem to violate this act. In history, religious organizations typically been immune from state and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, with the cases of Obergefell v. Hodges and Kim Davis this stance is challenged.

Equality - is fair treatment and access opportunities for all regardless of differences like their ability, culture, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any other group characteristic.

Equality is about making sure people are treated fairly and given fair chances. Equality is not about treating everyone in the same way, but it recognises that their needs are met in different ways.

Equality is important and means treating everyone fairly and giving everyone the opportunity to feel included.

In the last several years the United States of America has shown progression towards equality for LGBT. With whole states being the frontrunners of support for LGBT rights it has become apparent that change is happening. In 2012 gay marriage was legalized in all fifty states, allowing many couples the ability to wed. Close friends of my mom were able to wed because of the law. Not only has there been steps taken for sexuallitys but, also for those who are transgender. In the last couple years the Transgender Community has seen discussion after discussion about the use of bathrooms. It has shown that there’s many who support trans bathroom rights and that the country is willing to move forward. Also on the chopping block of the transgender

“What is equality?” one might ask. We all have different views on specific topics and can describe what something truly means to one’s self like in the 3 text, “I have a dream,” by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr (published; 8/28/1963, genre; narrative and argumentative), “If we must die,” by Claude Mckay (published; 1919, genre; narrative and lyric), & “Harrison Bergeron,” by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (published; October 1961, genre; satirical & dystopian science-fiction short story). In all 3 texts the authors are giving their touch on equality. Equality can convey being treated the same when a colored and a white man/woman are next to each other as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr says. You can also see equality as Mckay who thinks it’s being on the same level of strength and worth as a white man being in the shoes of a colored man. Or equality can be being exactly the same in every way as anyone around you in every exact way in Vonnegut’s eyes. All these 3 authors have a particular view on how to answer “What is equality?” and we can compare their ideas.

Equality is a way of treating everybody in an appropriate way that suits their needs without showing them up and treating them

Equality has been an extremely controversial topic all throughout history. We have been fighting for it for the same amount of time as well. The fight honestly shouldn’t exist. The fact that every person isn’t equal (equal opportunities, etc.) is just unimaginable. We are all equal by law but in reality, is it really true? There are still many issues we need to work on to achieve true equality with race, gender, sexual orientation and even religion.

Equality is word that can be interpreted in many different ways.Each Person has their own view on what it means.Their view on equality is shaped by their culture, people around them, and beliefs.In 1963 Martin Luther King’s idea of equality was “that all men are created equal”(King,1963).He wanted whites and blacks to be able to have equal opportunities in all aspects of life. In modern day we have made steps to reach this, but we have not met absolute equalty.In modern the idea of equality is more widespread than just white and blacks.There are websites,petitions, news coverage on the idea of equality for women and the LGBT community. There seems to be more steps to achieve their equal rights ,rather than, equal rights based on

The LGBT community has made new laws each day to bring equality to all. “Throughout its, America has symbolized equality of opportunity for people of all races, origins, religions and creeds, serving as a beacon of hope for anyone seeking a better life. However, despite its founding principles of equality and acceptance, the United States also has a long history of denying basic rights to certain people” (LGBT Equality). When the US discriminates against a certain thing people retaliate and rise up and try to make new laws to help their cause. The LGBT community has been striving to bring equality in many ways. The LGBT community has made great strides in gaining equality of same-sex marriage, gay adoption, and transgender equality.

Should this nation have the right to deny a citizen equality? Overall, the answer should be no. Surprisingly enough, the majority of our nation says there should not be marriage equality because it is unethical. The topic of marriage equality has been around for almost fifty years and it does not seem to be going away anytime soon as it is still a very prominent discussion in our society. The very first time a couple of the same sex applied for a marriage license was in December of 1970. The couples’ names were Richard John 'Jack' Baker and James Michael McConnell. They were denied marriage whenever they came forward to be married. As a result, they tried to sue the County District clerk, however the supreme court sided by the clerk (Gay Marriage Timeline History of the Same-Sex Marriage Debate). Less than three years later Maryland became the first state to officially make same sex marriage illegal and many other states soon followed in their footsteps. What made them prohibit same sex in the first place and did they have a valid reason in doing so?

LGBTQ equality has concerned me since I was introduced to the issues faced by the LGBTQ community, after that I became more aware. I know a few people who treat others like they’re wrong for being who they are and I always find myself getting tied into long conversations so I can have a fuller understanding as to why they feel this way toward these types of individuals. In most cases at the end of my conversations, I end up with almost the same answer, “It’s just not right.”

What is equality? Is it just a political nomenclature or an ideological concept? Or is about working towards creating a fairer society in which each individual can enjoy his/her rights and freedom without any judgement considering that “[w]e will never have true civilization until we have learned to recognize the rights of others.” Will Rogers (1924, p210).

Equity vs Equality. Over the years, multiple distinguished authors, politicians, teachers, and philosophers have weighed with their opinion. Equality is ultimate state of being equal in all things, including opportunists, states, and rights. Equity, on the other hand, describes being fair and impartial in all situations. Words that are so similar yet, completely different. Equity is being fair, and being fair doesn't always mean being completely equal to everybody. Equality, sounds good however as time has shown equality is only beneficial if everyone has the same advantages and all benefit equally from the system . What happens when everyone does not have the same inborn advantages? We begin to have unfair disadvantages aimed at marginalized people. Equity is the path that as a society, we must take in order to improve.