Upon glancing back throughout American history, it is evident that gay and lesbian rights rights have flourished within the past fifty years alone. The month of June specifically marks gay pride month, a time which has become endorsed by many companies, as well as celebrated with pride parades that take place across the country.While the campaign for equal rights has not concluded, many stride have been made towards equality such as the repeal of the don’t ask don’t tell policy which allows homosexuals to serve in the military openly and the legalization of same sex marriage, Despite this, the past has not been as kind and accepting to the LGBTQ community. Throughout the civil rights movement, the gays earned justice and marriage rights for themselves by means of arranging organizations which aimed towards creating a safe space and calling for reform, engaging in protests which delineated the mistreatment this community had been undergoing, and participating in riots that intended to acquire more media representation for a demographic that was generally voiceless and hidden from the public eye. In the era of time preceding the 1960s homosexuals were often established outsiders from the general public. It appeared as though many did not tolerate these humans’ lifestyle. Some religious individuals, especially Christians, have sourced proverbs as their logic for disapproval of gays, believing that God is against same sex love. “A model of bigotry and flawed logic passed for
Gay marriage is a topic that is so often discussed by those with highly diverse opinions. As some people agree with those of the same sex pursuing marriage, others do not seem to feel the same way. This fact can apply to individuals as well as entire countries. Several of these individuals and countries originally agreed with the subject of gay marriage as others were required to be forced due to the fact that their ban on gay marriage was decided as unconstitutional. Same-sex marriage is a controversial issue in today's world where some choose to agree with the decision of homosexual people and some choose to oppose it, all doing so usually for different reasons.
The LGBT community in the United States has always had massive difficulty fitting into our society. For many years they put up with constant mistreatment and other forms of abuse coming from the those who do not agree with their lifestyle. They have for long advocated for the acceptance of their existence and punishment for crimes committed against them. One of the hardest battles the community has had to face was the right to marry in a society that still holds the values of a traditional relationship which is between a male and female. The struggle was quite harsh but it all paid off by 2015 when the supreme court granted gay couples the right to marry. This historical decision did not go without outcry and criticisms. Most of the dissatisfaction came from those who hold very religious values and beliefs that claims homosexuality is a sin. Religion has always been a part of the American way of life since the nation's founding and with that homosexuality has been demonized throughout our society. Now that gay couple possess the legal rights to have a marriage license, religious companies and/or stores are now denying service to LGBT couples as they believe it sinful on their behalf to even take part. Many people gay or straight who fought for gay rights believe these is pure discrimination and that stores should not have the right to deny service for any customer for any reason. However, this belief is unconstitutional and goes
All families face challenges in their everyday life. For some, the challenges are easier to handle while for others, surmounting those challenges can be more difficult. Over the years, the LGBT community in the US has faced many hurdles. Whether it’s the legalization of same-sex marriage to adoption rights to alimony, child support and child custody in case of divorce, legislation specific to gay and lesbian couples still has a long way to go.
Next month will be very exciting for the LGBTQ community, when several of the openly LGBTQ communities, athletes will head to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics to compete, which will be the most LGBTQ’s to participate in the Winter Olympics than ever before. Nonetheless, there were also seven openly LGBTQ athletes who competed in the Sochi games in 2014, which were all female athletes in the LGBTQ community
United States of America. The United States of America. When you hear that, what do you think of? Home perhaps? A land of great opportunity? Freedom? Equality? Perhaps for some of you, this is the case. For many, it is not. For many, freedom and equality are nothing more than empty promises. Thankfully, many brave individuals are now speaking up and demanding these promises be fulfilled. They are signing petitions, organizing rallies, and protesting in the streets, all just to be heard. I hear you, and I stand with you.
Approximately, 8.8 million United States citizens are considered to be apart of the LGBT community. With these numbers on the rise, homicide rates regarding LGBT people in the last five-seven years appear to be climbing and staying that way. Because of these statistics that are increasing every day, it is crucial that protection laws be put in place for the benefit of LGBT people.
The history of the United States tends to be understood through analysis of periods of conflict. From the Revolutionary War, to the Civil War, both World Wars, the Cold War (and its affiliate proxy incidents), and finally modern day. What this skeletal description misses are the individual struggles of people who spent their lives marginalized due to societal stereotypes and discriminatory legislation. Groups have been affected due to identities that include but are not limited to: race, religion, ethnicity, immigration status, and sexual orientation. Of course this history of identity politics is not limited to the US, but the exploration of the LGBT movement within these borders can offer an important perspective on the tumultuous
Everyday people have to walk around being criticized because of the type of person they are and they are talked down to, violated, abused and sometimes even killed. No one should ever have to walk around fearful to show affection to the person they are with because they are of the same gender. A person shouldn't have to be frightened to use the bathroom because they are transgender it was their option and change in life they shouldn't have to carry that burden on them. Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, and queers are people and they are human beings just like the rest of the people and they should have rights just the same as the people around them. LGBTQ rights and state laws have changed a numerous amount of times because of the
Francis DeBernardo, head of a LGBT Catholics organization, has said that "many gay and lesbian couples are leading lives of heroic devotion to each other, their children, and their communities. I hope and pray that you will reflect not only on the harm that this decree will cause but also the good that can occur if you withdraw it." (Crary). People who like the same sex shouldn't be categorized in society as people to be frowned upon when they lead a good example, but others disagree. This is why the discussion of same-sex couples is so controversial. Gay marriage is a very important issue in modern society in the U.S because it is more accepted than what it used to be by everyday people and household life is healthier than in opposite sex marriages; unfortunately, it is still frowned upon by many and some business owners still decline service due to discrimination.
Throughout history there have been thousands of times when people have been treated unfairly for characteristics that they cannot help. Most of these, such as race, sex, and religion, have been allowed to be themselves and have the rights they deserve. However, there is one major group that, even to this day, is still denied their basic human rights. This group is the group of people who have a different sexual, romantic, or gender orientation that most people, otherwise known as LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and others). LGBT+ people should be allowed to have basic freedoms, such as using the bathroom of their choice and being able to marry. This is supported by several facts. These people are only people, and therefore should have the same rights as any other person. Denying them their rights would be, and is, morally wrong and is a repeat of times in history when other groups were persecuted against. Finally, regardless of your beliefs, stopping someone from being a happy human being because their decisions go against your religion is wrong. That is like a Christian stopping a Jew from celebrating different holidays.
One argument for gay marriage and the support of gay lifestyles is that homosexuals cannot help who they are since they were born that way. We should not judge their sex choices any more than someone's skin color. The Bible does not agree. It says that we are all born with the propensity to sin and we need to fight against it. Some face a desire to steal, some to lie, some to kill, and others to sin sexually.
She looks into her eyes and smiles, leans in and whispers quietly “I love you” while pulling her in forcefully for an embracing hug. “Are you ready to go” she repeats as she grabs her girlfriends coat and proceeds to the door. Finally, after numerous times of asking, her girlfriend agrees, twists the doorknob and walks out. They have only taken a few steps out of the safety of their own home when the hurtful words start to pour in. Feeling embarrassed, tears start rolling down her face. She immediately turns around and goes back inside. Sadly, this is the reality for many. We live in a world so hateful, that some would rather die than be who they are. A world in which people get belittled for who they love, and have basic rights taken right out of their hands. Gay rights are human rights. No matter who you are as a person, who you love, or who you associate yourself with you deserve to be respected. Gay marriage has no effect on the heterosexual community, civil unions are not the same as marriage, and successful adoptions will happen more frequently.
On June 26, 2015, a huge victory was made for the gay rights movement when the Supreme Court ruled by a 5 to 4 vote guaranteeing a right to same-sex marriage. While this is a great achievement, a problem has come up. Kentucky County Clerks have denied same-sex couples marriage licences a number of times even with the recent court ruling. This is discriminatory and should be acted on immediately; no couple should be denied their right to marriage and anyone who works in the government should abide by the law. This is plain and simple common sense, yet in today’s society, has to be argued about.
“Understand that sexuality is as wide as the sea. Understand that your morality is not law. Understand that we are you. Understand that if we decide to have sex whether safe, safer, or unsafe, it is our decision and you have no rights in our lovemaking,” said Derek Jarman, a well known english film director and author in the late 1900s. This statement is showing how sexuality can not and should not be mandated by laws. Many people arguing this topic do not know all the facts on whether it is genetics or the environment. Homosexuality has always been a very controversial topic throughout history. This issue has broken up many families and have caused many conflicts. Especially the older generations, who are very quick to judge on one's sexual orientation. Those who quickly judge others usually are the ones who are not informed that being homosexual is not a choice. Homosexuality, which has been proven to be caused by genetics through studies done through the field of human biology, many traits in genes have been found and many gays have been born into anti-gay cultures.
The LGBT community is often referred to as the gay community, which includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people. This community has not always been supported by others. There has been many challenges and attempts to get equality dating back to 1969 with the stonewalls riots, which were violent riots against a police raid by the gay community. This is just one of the many protest and riots that will take place with their fight against discrimination and inequality. Gilbert Baker was a rights activist, in 1978 he stitched the rainbow flag that has now become the international symbol of gay pride. In the 1980’s the AIDS epidemic brought more challenges, which people who did not support the LGBT community only used to further block legal protection. It would be years before they even got the right to same-sex marriage. In 2004 Massachusetts became the first state in the United States granting gays to legally marry, but it would not become legal in all 50 states until June 26, 2015. Even though people are now allowed the right to same-sex marriage, there are still many struggles and injustices that they still face today. Members of the LGBT community should be treated equal and provided with constitutional rights, access to the military, and legal protection regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.