The Fight for Gay Rights Essay

The history of homosexual people in the United States began in the early 1900s when the concept of Boston marriages became common. These

The United States of America was founded as a secular sanctuary for ideals like freedom, equality, and tolerance – few will argue against that. Over its history American culture has radically evolved as it strived to meet the ideals its nation was based upon, making changes like ending slavery and providing legal equality for women and minorities, changes that at the time seemed absurd but today are unquestionable merits that define what an “American” is. The quest to reach the ultimate utopian society continues today as true Americans fight the evils of ignorance, stubborn bigotry and the fear to change that still manifest themselves in a large portion of U.S. citizens, preventing this nation from moving forward. One of the outstanding minorities still left to be granted the ideals of freedom, equality, and tolerance are homosexuals trying to obtain the right to marry the person they want to spend the rest of their life with, regardless of gender. Same-sex marriages should be recognized in the eyes of the U.S. government in accordance with its responsibility to provide all American citizens equal freedoms.

The history of the gay rights movement goes as far back as the late 19th century. More accurately, the quest by gays to search out others like themselves and foster a feeling of identity has been around since then. It is an innovative movement that seeks to change existing norms and gain acceptance within our culture. By 1915, one gay person said that the gay world was a "community, distinctly organized" (Milestones 1991), but kept mostly out of view because of social hostility. According to the Milestones article, after World War II, around 1940, many cities saw their first gay bars open as many homosexuals began to start a networking system. However, their newfound visibility only backfired on them, as

The massive amount of people who believe and support LGBT should have the same human rights and equality say, “it's only fair they receive the same liberty to love who they love.” (Texas, Democratic Party, 1) Throughout the years, same sex marriage supporters have been increasing; “81% of adults under 30 now support marriage equality.”(Texas Democratic Party, 1). People have been making an effort to fight this case even since the beginning of the gay rights movement in the 1960s-1970s. Even before that though, homosexuals have tried to be seen equal, and of course, have an aspiration to be able to obtain the same rights as everyone else, which is to win over the Defense of Marriage Act, which was signed in 1996 by Presidential Clinton to be able to marry the person they love regardless of what their gender

“The freedom to marry has long been recognized as one of the vital personal rights

“Sex was something mysterious which happened to married couples and Homosexuality was never mentioned; my mother told me my father did not believe it existed at all ‘until he joined the army’. As a child, I was warned about talking to ‘strange men’, without any real idea what this meant. I was left to find out for myself what it was all about.” Mike Newman, who was a child during the 1950s America recalls how homosexuality was perceived during the post-World War II era (F). This sexual oppression was not only in Newman’s household, but in almost everyone’s. While the civil rights movement began in the mid-1950s and ended late 1960s, the LGBT community started to come out of the closet slowly. The gay rights movement stemmed from the civil rights movement

Marriage has always been a sacred agreement between a man and woman. However, as times have changed, our ideas involving marriage are forced to change with the times. Our country has developed throughout the years to enforce the belief that all Americans should be granted equal rights no matter what their skin color or cultural background. Granting gays the right to marry would simply be giving all people equal rights in the issue of marriage.

Through out history we have excluded certain minorities, claiming they are inferior and taking away their rights. We have come a long way since Lincoln first proposed the question, but we still have a long way to go. On June 26, 2015 same sex marriage became legal in all fifty states, giving member of the gay community the same legal rights and benefits as married heterosexual couples such as being recognized on official documents

Despite the historical aspects of gay marriage, all across the United States many hetero sexual and homosexual communities have spoken up about their natural rights, freedom of religion.

The bill of rights guarantee religious freedom for everyone, so according to the law, denying same-sex marriage is a violation of religious freedom. According to Joe Messerli all major religions consider homosexuality to be a sin; however, the First Amendment of the Constitution clearly states that a person’s religious views or lack thereof must be protected. Therefore denying these marriages is a form of minority discrimination. That is the main reason of the Bill of Rights, so minorities can declare their rights and therefore perform them freely as the majorities.

     A debate is raging in America about who people have a right to marry. In response to lesbians and gays asking for the right to marry, many legislators are writing laws to ban same-sex marriage in their respective states. Even President Bush supports a Constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage (prez.bush.marriage/). Opponents of such legislation do not want discrimination passed into law and are protesting at every opportunity. One must understand the reasons that people want to ban same-sex

Firstly, Marriage Equality and the Gay Rights Movement have a history dating back to 1970. "On May 18, 1970, two University of Minnesota students, Richard John 'Jack ' Baker and James Michael McConnell applied to Hennepin County District Court clerk Gerald Nelson for a marriage license. He denied the application, because the applicants both were men.” (ProCon.org) January 1st of 1973, Maryland was the first state to pass a stature banning marriage between same-sex couples. (Wolfson, par. 2) Several other states followed suit up through 1975 and from 1975 through the early 1990’s were fairly quiet. Then in 1993, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled in Baehr v. Lewin that denying marriage to same-sex couples violates the Equal Protection

“It takes no compromise to give people their rights… it takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no political deal to give people freedom. It takes no survey to remove repression.” This is an extract taken from the biography of Harvey Milk, the first gay person elected into public office in California.

In this country there is a flawed assumption that gay people enjoy the same civil right protections as everyone else and there are a lot of stereotypes about gay relationships. Living as a gay individual in this country can be extremely overwhelming and scary. When it comes to marriage between gay couples, controversy is bound to turn up. There are numerous arguments as to why gay marriage is not “right” such as; it offends everything religion stands for, marriage is for procreation, and gay

First, it can clearly be seen that same-sex marriage is primarily about equality. Everyone has equal rights and liberties to chase happiness, as long as it does not cause harm to the society, so why should their freedoms be limits? Why can’t someone be able to marry a person they truly love? Discrimination and banning homosexual couples to get married violates human rights and freedoms. Laws which against gay marriage deny the First Amendment which states that everyone has freedom of speech, expression and religion. Sexual determination is an option, so it is how some people can express themselves.