The Issue Of Homosexuality In America

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.

Learning family advocacy requires students to develop an understanding of contemporary cultural issues surrounding traditional marriage. The struggle over defining marriage was thought to be somewhat settled through the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA); however, as this law’s ramifications were realized, greater debate resulted about the moral, philosophical, and civic repercussions of this legal definition. This paper will provide a better understanding of the historical and worldview changes that occurred within the United States over homosexuality and same-sex marriage (SSM). After gaining a better understanding of these issues, the paper will also provide an exploration of the strengths and weaknesses of DOMA from these differing perspectives. In addition, recommendations will be offered for further changes of law and advocacy that would encourage the altering of current thought intent on stifling the defense of traditional marriage.

Finally, sexual orientation discrimination is denying an individual an opportunity or treating them differently because of their sexual orientation. This includes lesbians, homosexuals, bisexuals or heterosexual individuals (Moran, 2013).

LGBT people continue to face real discrimination and there is no federal law preventing them fro being fired or denied work based on their sexual orientation. The military is notorious for their public discrimination of gays and lesbians They can lose their children for being gay or lesbian, and are even denied the right to marry in some states. In 1992 Colorado executed Amendment 2, which opposed the current state laws and blocked future laws protecting lesbians, gay men and bisexuals from discrimination. The U. S. Supreme Court case 1996 Romer v. Evans decision. We must conclude that Amendment 2 classifies homosexuals not to further a proper legislative end but to make them unequal to everyone else. Which Colorado could not do. A state cannot deem a class of persons a stranger to its laws. (Justice Anthony Kennedy, Majority Opinion in Romer v, Evans I)

After the 19th century European history, we merge into American history. There was close to no studies done up until Post World War II. There was some encouraging growth for gay life that was very much apparent in Greenwich and Harlem in the 1920’s and this is also when the community adopted the pink and black triangle. The war allowed for gay men and lesbian women to insert themselves into the war efforts without being constantly chastised. There were efforts to work towards gaining more acknowledgement of this community. One of whom that led for this justice in the 1950’s was Senator Joseph McCarthy with his investigation of homosexuals in government positions. His investigation is what led up to the first politically inclined demand for

Is the day coming when business owners in America will have the ability to refuse to serve someone with whom they disagree? Imagine seeing a sign that says “We Don’t Serve Gays” in the window of a coffee shop. Most people would voice their outrage; they would demand an explanation of the owner, wondering what could have spurred the idea for such a discriminatory sign. Should the owner keep his or her sign up only because homosexuality is against their moral beliefs?

The issues surrounding sexuality and gender nonconforming individuals in the United States have played an increasingly large role in modern politics since the mid-20th century. These issues, commonly referred to LGBT rights, directly affect the lives of a vast number of American citizens and, as such, any legislation addressing these issues is public policy. The growing demand for equality among the LGBT community has resulted in a number of Supreme Court cases and legislation addressing commonly debated issues such as marriage and employment discrimination. Though these particular issues have received attention from Congress, there are still other problems within the LGBT communities that must be

The debate of whether to pass the bills and policies that promote equal treatment of lesbians, gay, bisexual, transgender, and the queer (LGBTQ) community has been trending across nations. People refer to fundamental human rights like the freedom of speech and association, liberty, and equal treatment in court as civil rights, because they are fundamental rights that each and every citizen should not be denied on the basis of their sex, race, or religious belief. Though it has been proven that homosexuality – the sexual desire for those of the same sex as oneself – has existed since humans have begun documenting human history, the framers of the Constitution did not include the unconstitutionality of discrimination against citizens on the basis of sexual preference, thus, making this discrimination entirely legal. It is, therefore, important to consider the varying views on this issue with an aim of constructing a genuine proposition to the policy makers.

This summer, the Supreme Court states that gay and lesbian Americans have the right to get married. This is certainly an important step in the new Civil Rights movement for LGBT equality, and has led to a more perfect United States. However, LGBT people are still not completely free from discrimination and abuse, there is much more society can, and should do, in order to advance LGBT equality.

According to an article published by Workplace Fairness, a non-profit organization that provides information and education on employee rights, sexual orientation discrimination means treating someone differently solely because of his or her sexual orientation whether it be homosexual, bisexual, or heterosexual. This discrimination may occur because of a perception of someone whether the perception is right or wrong. Someone who is discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation may also be discriminated against or harassed on the basis of sex, gender identity, disability, such as actual or perceived HIV status, and/or marital status.

Singer-songwriter Frank Ocean (2011) wrote “ I was in a Nissan Maxima...I sat there and told my friend how I felt. I wept as the words left my mouth. I grieved for them, knowing I could never take them back for myself...He did his best, but he wouldn’t admit the same...I felt like I’d only imagined reciprocity for years. Now imagine being thrown from a cliff. No, I wasn’t on a cliff. I was still in my car telling myself it was gonna be fine and to take deep breaths.” America’s history with those who conceptualize with different sexual identifications is an interesting one. However, I think it is in part due to America’s resilience and conservative ideals towards fundamental Christian values of holding a binary heterosexual relationship.

The United States of America should adopt a federal law that gives rights, protection and recognition of LGBT people based on sexual orientation and gender identity as constitutionally and respectfully equal as others uniformly throughout the nation.

The issue of sexuality and human sexual orientation is an increasingly hot topic in the American society today. Although this topic has made an upward spiral in society today, there seems to be little talk about the history of sexuality. The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer community has been oppressed throughout history, making it difficult for them to feel safe in the public sphere where heterosexuality is the norm. However, pieces by George Chauncey and Ruth Hubbard have discussed ways in which the LGBTQ world was forgotten about in early society, and how it has evolved to be where it is now.

We all as humans have a sexual orientation and gender identity. This fact has stated discrimination against members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community, based on sexual orientation and gender identity is a major problem in the United States that affects many people. All people, regardless of their sexual preference or gender identification, should be able to have and enjoy their human rights.

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.