No Restrictions on Love: The Inhumane Treatment of Gay People

On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled that the US Constitution guarantees the right for same-sex couples to marry. Many conservative groups do NOT agree with this decision. The gay marriage debate has been simmering for as long as I can remember. The four articles I have selected give information from four different perspectives including that of liberals, conservatives, homosexuals, and orthodox Jews. With so many differing opinions, one can understand why it's been so hard for the nation to come to agree on this issue.

In the early days of the American government, there was a long struggle between the federalist, and the anti-federalist about the ratification of a constitution for a young nation. During that time, slavery was a source of labor, and commerce for our thirteen states, but this didn’t sit well with these human properties, because they wanted their grievances to be answered. Once it was clear that African-Americans were people who deserve the same rights as others too, it sparked the voices from women who were properties of their spouses. In continuation of all these dilemmas, there was a hidden developing conflict for homosexual rights. The rights that Americans think they are entitled too, must be answered,

Ward touches on the social context for interpreting public responses to male and female athletes coming out, and this example of Michael Sam details the harsh and cruel reality that society will never be fully accepting to gay and lesbian athletes. Invisibility is the best defense when it comes to athletes being gay and lesbian, but it doesn’t signify approval or disapproval when people have paid lots of money to see a match and they’re more bothered about what type of person is playing. I don’t’ care about Michal Sam’s sexual preference, and the only thing that we should view him as is a phenomenal athlete who could bring a lot to any NFL team. He had an extremely good final year playing college football, rated the best in the country at his position; but because of how super-sized NFL players have become, he's smaller than anyone else at his position in the NFL. While playing with the Baltimore ravens, he gave it a good 12 months, mostly on the practice squad and the whole time he was on this team he was constantly ridiculed and humiliated, which lead him to retire soon after due to mental illness. It takes a lot of will power and strength to continue to try and be the person you’ve longed to be, and do the job you’ve always wanted to do with the majority of people in American hating you for what you are outside of the field. I wish him the best. It isn't just latent homophobia that's costing him; it's also losing himself as a

The debate on whether the constitution should be changed to allow gays/lesbians legal status, whereby the partners are protected while in the institution of marriage is a heated debated which has been ongoing in many years. There are those states whereby the rights of gays/lesbians to have legal marriages have been recognized, but in most of the states their right to legal marriage have not been recognized. This essay looks at the reasons why the American constitution should be amended to ensure that all states across the United States recognizes the rights of gays/lesbians to have legal marriages. The argument will focus on the impact that lack of legal marriages have on the gay and lesbian partners and the reasons why constitutional amendment can only be the best solution to resolve the issues of the rights for the gay community to a legal marriage.

In doing so, Jefferson connected with the works of John Locke and extrapolated the best of his viewpoints and applied them within the Declaration of Independence. Notably, George Thomas argues that “Locke has been a significant influence on how Americans understand public life and that Lockeanism may be the dominant strand of thought in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution” (464). Even in today’s society, Locke is still a prominent figure. In fact, on June 26th, 2015, the Supreme Court looked towards some of Locke’s contributions within the Constitution and declared same-sex marriage legal nationwide on the basis of “all men are created equal”. Thomas sheds some light on the thought process behind this ruling stating

A major victory was won by the LGBT community when the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage was legal on June 26th of 2015 across all of the United States. This ruling effectively states that any state-law restricting marriage to male-female is unconstitutional. This had been a fight since the 1970s when the issues of same-sex marriage first began to gain steam. Over the years, various states have legalised same-sex marriage to certain degrees, however it wasn’t until after 3 decades that the issue was finally acknowledged on a national level. This change furthers the ideology of freedom and equality of the american constitution and will invoke the betterment of

According to DOMA, “In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and agencies of the United States, the word 'marriage' means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word 'spouse' refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife” (sec 3). Until recently 2013, the US Supreme Court finally delivered the verdict that declared section 3 of the DOMA, which is the rejection of right to gay marriage is unconstitutional (Shapiro 208). In “Gay Marriage Is A Fundamental Right” by Nathan Goetting, “The right to many, and to marry the person of one's choice, is a fundamental right and a necessary aspect of human happiness. This has been an explicitly stated abiding principle since the Court used its power of judicial review to strike down as unconstitutional a legislature's definition of marriage in 1967.” Currently, 17 states in the United States have legalized the right to same sex marriage. The realization of DOMA is unconstitutional has further evidenced that gay marriage is one of the civil right that should not be taken away by the government, and it is an inevitable changes that open doors for equality and equity.

I learned that gay oppression stems from capitalistic ideas and nature. When the industrial revolution came around in the early 19th century it brought with it the traditional ideals of family that we know today (Carlin, 2007). Capitalists didn’t like the ideal of homosexuality because it defeated the purpose of sex only being for reproduction (Carlin, 2007). They thought that gays were getting in the way of producing the next generation of workers (Carlin, 2007). They quickly deemed them unnatural in the eyes of the Christian church and society (Carlin, 2007). Gays were routinely harassed and physically assaulted by police (Carlin, 2007). Capitalists tried to justify this oppression by saying that homosexuality was blatantly abnormal and unacceptable

As the whole world is in an “equal rights for L.G.B.T.” revolution, first Team All-American football player Michael Sam came out and said he was gay. This statement is stirring up all different types of conversation because if he lands on a N.F.L team this upcoming season, Sam will be the first openly gay football player in the history of the N.F.L. CNN author Coy Wire wrote the article “Michael Sam smashes status quo” which discusses the hardship and impact of the first potential iconic figure for the LGBT in the NFL.

American nationalism can be described in the foundational terms of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; however, these fundamental ideas are impacted across every state when equal rights intersect with the complex issue of marriage rights. Thomas Jefferson once said, “I never will, by any word or act, bow to the shrine of intolerance or admit a right of inquiry into the religious opinions of others” (Jefferson, 1900). When approaching the various stances on marriage, civil unions, and equal rights in regards to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community it is fundamentally important to follow Jefferson’s cue and approach the varied perspectives with an open mind. With the average person’s opinion on marriage

“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.”-Nelson Mandela. When people are prohibited from being who they are, it is almost like telling them that they are not human. Whenever people are hiding their true selves, they are usually miserable and depressed. This is why we have movements such as Gay rights movement, civil right movements, women rights movements, etc. fighting to be accepted in the world. No one wants to ever feel isolated especially in a place that is supposed to be safe. Gay rights and ethnic oppression are fighting for different rights and struggles; however they are trying to achieve the same outcome.

To begin, it is important to note that any active and direct persecution was mostly aimed at homosexual males and not homosexual females because any measures were established to protect fertility, and it was thought that unlike males, females were always ready to procreate (Mitchell 249). Beginning in 1933, most of the attacks were made through raids implemented at different gay bars, and in that same year, one of the most notorious events took place; The Institute for Sexual Science, a research institute which advocated for homosexual rights founded by Magnus Hirschfeld, was burned to the ground along with 10,000 of their books (Crowe 143). It was only after the assassination of Hitler’s SA leader Ernst Rohm in 1934 that a more organized and legalized attack was put in motion against homosexuals (Crowe 143). In 1935, it was outlawed for any

In America, people hold on to the Declaration of Independence as an implementation of their rights. Part of the Declaration of Independence clearly states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Jefferson 80). Gays are human beings too, and they should equally be able to enjoy the human rights. If we believe that human rights are equal regardless of their sexual orientation; then why do gays have to struggle for equal positions in the church, law, and psychological equality? Gay people, their families, and their

“We hold these Truths to be self evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness…” (Declaration of Independence, US 1776). The recognition of same-sex marriage is an issue influenced by numerous factors, and debates continue to arise over whether people in same-sex relationships have the right to marriage. Marriage provides many benefits, legally, financially, and personally. Same-sex marriage can open up those in same-sex relationships to tax benefits and financial demands comparable to those afforded to and required of people in opposite-sex marriages. Same-sex marriage also gives them legal protections, such

“We hold these Truths to be self evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness…” (Declaration of Independence, US 1776). The recognition of same-sex marriage is an issue influenced by numerous factors, and debates continue to arise over whether people in same-sex relationships have the right marriage. Marriage provides many benefits, legally, financially, and personally. Same-sex marriage can open up those in same-sex relationships to tax benefits and financial demands comparable to those afforded to and required of people in opposite-sex marriages. Same-sex marriage also gives them legal protections, such as hospital visitation rights and inheritances. The introduction of same-sex marriage laws has varied by jurisdiction, being variously accomplished through legislative change to marriage laws, a court ruling based on constitutional guarantees of equality, or by direct popular vote. Various faith communities around the world support allowing those of the same sex to marry, while many major religions oppose same-sex marriage. Why are people so opposed to homosexual marriage if it does not involve or hurt them? Many say it is because they are concerned about the wellbeing of society, despite multiple studies that show that same-sex couples help society and children around the globe.