Gay Rights Research Paper

Submitted By deepibis
Words: 1492
Pages: 6
Open Document
Demanding of Equality Rights
Based on the constitution, our forefathers stated that “all men created equal.” Such declaration refers to human rights; that each and every citizen should not be denied to any civil rights based on their sex, race, and religious belief. Also, according to the Bill of Rights, everyone should have the freedom of speech, liberty, and equal treatment in court. However, homosexuals have not been treated equally and have also been discriminated against. Homosexuality has been in existence since the beginning of human documentation of history (Ngyuen, par.1 ). Inspired by the African American Civil Rights Movement, homosexuals in the United States have also begun to organize themselves and fight for their equality and for justice. With the rise of gay protests, the issue about gay rights turned into a controversial, which today is still debated with neither party winning. By taking a closer look at the history of homosexual and their rights, homosexuality has been looked down upon and legislated against. Homosexuals are defined as people who have a romantic feeling toward those of the same sex. They can be either men or women. Homosexuals exist in all classes, races, gender, and countries, regardless of their age. The history of gay rights movement goes as far back as the late 19th century. History has shown that homosexual people have always been discriminated against, even today. Not only were homosexual people denied equal treatment in court, but they also have been victims of violence and harassment in the society based on of their sexual orientation (Nguyen, par.5). Homosexuality, which is considered the sexual act between people of the same sex, was labeled as a felony in the past according to "Sodomy Laws." Homosexual people were openly denied employment. According to Nguyen, the current federal government openly prohibits gay employment to federal institutions like the CIA, FBI, the army - the nation's biggest employer in the United States - and the National Security Agency. The government even regularly removes gay officials from public positions, and so do a lot of other employers in the private sector (Ngyuen, para.4). In individual cases, homosexuals have often been physically and emotionally harassed. Such harassment includes being insulted, kicked, punched, and thrown at by fellow classmates, co-workers, and even family members just for simply being gay (Nguyen, par4). Most gays are often shunned by their own family because being homosexual is against the family’s religious belief. Most often they were even battered by their own parents. Ever since AIDS became the worldwide issue in the early eighties, homosexuality was blamed for the dispersal of the disease. The reason for this is because of their unprotected sexual activity. According to Ngyuen, studies show that there exists a popular assumption that all or most gay people have AIDS. In fact, heterosexual sex is actually the main cause for the spreading of viruses, representing 90% of new cases of AIDS. Homosexuality also raises the heat of a military issue, which was to allow or deny homosexuals the right to enter military service. In 1942, the U.S military issued a banning of homosexuals from entering the military service by arguing that their presence would cause commotion to the heterosexual soldiers and decrease their efficiency and productivity. The most controversial topic, though, of gay rights is the legalization of same-sex marriages. The only state that attempted to legalize same-sex marriage was Hawaii in 1996 (Head, Tom, para. 7). Judge Kevin Change declared to the court that Hawaii should allow gay couples a marriage license (Head,Tom, para.7). The legislation was to be voted by the citizens. However, the legislation was not approved. Once again, homosexuals were denied rights by society. Nevertheless, the gay rights movements in the United States continue to progress, especially for gay marriage. Six states,
Show More

Related Documents: Gay Rights Research Paper

Nursing: Homosexuality and United States Essay

sociopolitical factors that influenced public health policy development for HIV/AIDs prevention and control in the United States. Then discuss separately each of the three sociopolitical factors each factor and discussion is equal to three points each. The three sociopolitical factors that influenced public health policy development for HIV/Aids prevention and control in the United States were identifying early possible ways of spreading the disease, how it affected our blood supply and that to acknowledge…

Words 1508 - Pages 7

Essay on The Acceptance of Homosexuality in South Africa

The Acceptance of Homosexuality in South Africa For hundreds of years South Africa has endured a constant power struggle, oppression under the apartheid government, the AIDS epidemic and homophobia. Internationally there are currently four countries that permit same-sex marriages, which include the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and Canada. Even though homosexuality remains largely taboo in South Africa, the country is taking steps towards overall equality and improved human rights allowing such unions…

Words 2316 - Pages 10

Compare and Contrast Essay

countries, homosexuality = The death penalty 93 nations in the world still legally punish homosexuality. In 7 of these - Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Nigeria, Mauritania - gays and lesbians are punished with the death penalty. Homosexuality has a long way to go in the United States, but an even tougher, bleaker road to pass through in other parts of the world. Particularly in Africa and the Middle East where the Islamic law is held in extreme rigor, homosexuality is dealt…

Words 1195 - Pages 5

Film Response Essay

positive way when it comes to homosexuality. Civil rights movements had dominated the United States since the civil war when African Americas won their right to freedom. In the 1960’s the civil rights movement for equal rights of African Americans began and shortly to follow was the fight for women’s rights, these movements paved the way for homosexuals to start their movement. It was shaky in the beginning with Stonewall, but since then America has come to accept homosexuality as an equal minority with…

Words 939 - Pages 4

Essay on Original: Same-sex Marriage

Ryan Mills English 1A Section # March 29, 2015 Who’s to Say What Marriage is? There are many problems in the United States and there are certain issues that we are still trying to find solutions to. Same sex marriage has been an issue to Americans for years now. “ Proponents of gay marriage in the united states have framed gay marriage as an “equal rights” issue emphasizing same-sex couples’ lack of access to the fundamental rights and legal securities associated with marriage” ( Gay Marriage…

Words 2099 - Pages 9

Homosexuality and Gay Men Essay

for a long time. The deontology theory advocates that religion opposes homosexuals and even in the Bible there were issues dealing with homosexuality. As we look in the bible as a guide on homosexuality we find that every time the bibles spoke on homosexuality, it was with condemnation. First, let us look at a few scriptures that substantiate that homosexuality is wrong. Lev. 18:22, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." Lev. 20:13, "If there is a man…

Words 4061 - Pages 17

Cultural Issues In The 2000's Pros And Cons

presidency and the election of Bill Clinton. The attacks on the World Trade Center also stroked a lot of controversy between the Americans. Major cultural problems during this time included the debates over abortion, gun policies, privacy, drugs, and homosexuality. Such things like these really provoked Americans to fight even more, and although many think that these situations were settled correctly many people were disconnected as one. Bill Clinton’s election was very controversial because one of the…

Words 738 - Pages 3

The Catholic Church and Its Views on Homosexuality Essay

might well have has in mind when speaking of arsenokoitai clients of brothels who brought the sexual services of boy slaves. (Moore, 112-113) Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons The issue of homosexuality and the moral evaluation of homosexual acts have increasingly become a matter of public debate. Since this advances arguments and makes assertions inconsistent with the teaching of the Catholic Church, it is quite rightly a cause for concern to…

Words 3762 - Pages 16

Research Paper On Homosexuality

sexual orientation, whether heterosexual of homosexual, shouldnt prevent them from having equal human rights. Homosexuality is a sexual or platonic relation of the representatives of the same sex. The attitude of the public towards homosexuality is extremely different: there are people who support it or are simply tolerant about it, the others are radically against of homosexuality supporting their idea with the religious views and cultural aspects. Although gays and lesbians entered the mainstream…

Words 778 - Pages 4

Same-sex Marriage and Contemporary Nonconformist Essay

Homosexuality Marriage: The Contemporary Nonconformist In this day in age, imagine if you can your future child growing up in this continuing progressive society and he/she not fully grasping all the information and concepts they can. Many would call this being in a constant state of unawareness or being naive. Now, if you happen to think of this event as unwholesome, look currently around you. There are many organizations, society's, groups, institutions and individuals who are collectively suffering…

Words 479 - Pages 2